New to scratch building

[Straick]

I've been flying RC planes for about 2 years now. I want to start scratch building the planes instead of having to buy them. How do I start and any suggestions would be nice. Would like to start with gas after some scratch experience. P.S. Already know how to do basic repairs to planes(I was just learning to fly at the time).

[SR-71 Pilot]

I've been flying RC planes for about 2 years now. I want to start scratch building the planes instead of having to buy them. How do I start and any suggestions would be nice. Would like to start with gas after some scratch experience. P.S. Already know how to do basic repairs to planes(I was just learning to fly at the time).

If you want to learn about scratch building there are a couple ways you can start. I started out with the old WING MFG Kits. These are simi-scratch build. You get foam core wings, all the plastic parts you need such as canopy, gun ports, engine stacks & I believe pre-bent landing gear? but you provide all the wood. It's been so long sense I have built one I forget. I've built 2 of the kits. F4U & a P-40 which I still fly evry now & then. While building them, keep in mind the CG on the plans. I built mine & both came out tail heavy? I found the CG needed to be moved back about an inch when I was done with mine. Anyway, they are a pretty good kits to start with. IF they are still doing business.
The others I will mention are full blown scratch builds. Nick Ziroli is one of the best. Palmer Plans & Reid's Quality Model Products has plans that you can go with. I have never built or seen the last two mentioned plans, but Ziroli's I have. Most of these a scale birds & can be difficult to build if you're just getting started. Try to go with something easy first to save yourself lots of grief & disappointment. And GOOD LUCK..

[Straick]

I got a set of full size plans(going to have to find a safe way to store them). Any suggestions on the actual construction techniques(Balsa grain direction, glues, finishing). Also, how do you apply the wing and tail covering material.

[NitroDad]

Why not start with a kit? You can get one and as you are putting it to gether you can copy it and cut out parts for a second one, or blow up the plans alittle and build it, just a thought.

Store them plans in a mailing tube, you can get them from the post office or most copy stores like Kinkos for 3-4 bucks I think.

[sandstorm]

Why not start with a kit? You can get one and as you are putting it to gether you can copy it and cut out parts for a second one, or blow up the plans alittle and build it, just a thought.

i`m new to the air scene also and what nitrodad said was exactly what i was thinking about doing...basically your scratch building a plane...just with templates that are exactly the way they should be. and in case of a crash it wouldnt take as long to get back out to the field and back to flyin. :D

[Straick]

Built my first wing. Had to replace the wing on a plane(completly destroyed the original in a crash). Once covered, it looked like I had gone out and bought it or got someone else to make it. Will post picture once I get camera working.
I was given the plane, so I can't complain about it.I did fly it on the new wing. It flew great considering that when I got the plane it was in several pieces.
Thanks for the suggestions.

[gary barns]

Hi.
My first post on this site!
The absolute 'bible' for scratch/scale building is Gordon Whitehead's book
"Radio Control Scale Aircraft Models for Everyday Flying"
It's a bit dated in terms of 'gadgets' but all the basic design and construction techniques still apply.

It's probably out of print but you might still find it in specialist model shops or even a local library. It has also been serialsed in "Flying Scale Models' magazine (British) over the last 6 months. Check their web site at "www.modelactivitypress.com/fs-monthly.htm" - (Each issue usually contains a free plan and constructin article that provides enough info to build from - lately, they have been small electric WW1 biplanes.) It's available in the US

If all else fails, try

RM Books Division
Chart Hobby Distributors Ltd
LittleHampton West Sussex, UK
ISBN 0-903676-08-7

Gary

[supcan]

For starters "Scratch Building is not much cheaper than building from kits and not all plans are created equal. There are a number of plan suppliers ( check the internet)
some will say whether they are for beginner or advanced builders. The cost of plans can vary from $7.00 to $50 .00 or more. I used to live in Canada and bought plans sent from England by The Areomodeler Corperation in Hemple Hertstead I think it was. But have been unable to locate them since the 80s. They had a STAR grading system that was excellent. My most recent plans came from RCM Plans Service Sierra Madre, California. But I believe there are a quite number of plan suppliers in England. Stratch building in the U.S. is not nearly a popular. Most of the people in the club I belong to fly ARFs. Hope this helps

[Gerryy]

I have been scratch building and designing models of my own for a while now. The best way to learn about design, balsa sizes, grain direction, etc. Is from other designers. Start buying plans of models from magazines and plans suppliers of designs that are close to what you want to build. I am 49 and have been in to airplanes for 40 years, getting my start from my dad. I was lucky as he had a large collection of plans for me to drewl over. MAN, Model Aviation, and Flying Models are the three US magazines that have real, true model plan libraries. Several of the Brit magazines offer plans too but I do not have much experience with them
Hope this helps
GY

[marko509]

I am completely new to the RC flying scene, and I have been working on scratch-building the bf-109 published a couple months ago in Model Airplane News. It is very interesting (and addicting, I might add!) to cut out components and not see the bigger picture, only to have something pretty darn cool materialize after a lot of work. So far I have the wings about 75% finished and the fuselage about 40% complete. I agree with you all- more emphasis should be placed on learning various building skills, even if it is to get a good idea of how to repair your crashed plane. Unfortunately with today's "gotta have it now" attitude, ARF's will continue to rule the day.

Another interesting note to my building experience is the fact that actually getting the plane in the air is not even on my radar right now... yes it will be neat to see my creation fly for the first time, but I am having so much fun building it that flying is secondary to me.

[Gerryy]

Welcome to the club!

[Darth_Z]

I too have become addicted to building my own. I am in the process of building a Pica T-28, this is my second build, and I haven't even soloed yet. The book that I have found invaluable is MAN's "Radio Control Airplane Building Techniques" by Randy Randolph. The book is loaded not only with building techniques, but also how to's for tools used to cut fit and build with. The one that got me the most is Randy's sheeting technique. It sounds strange but it works like magic.

"Z"

[AEROSCALE]

At the risk of sounding somewhat "commercial", Air Age (publishers of Model Airplane News) offers the book "Scratchbuilding R/C Airplanes". It should help you get started.
AEROSCALE

[moxnix]

If at all possible review the actual plan BEFORE you buy it. I have purchased several plans from various sources over the years with mixed results. Remember, the plan is only as good as the person who drew them. I have purchased plan sets from magazines, one set drawn in the '70s was great, whereas a set drawn in the late 90s from the same magazine was junk. He drew the plans after building the aircraft and omitted a bundle of construction detail.
Also, "name brand" type plans aren't necessarily a quarantee of quality either. Purchased a "name brand" set once. Got the plans folded three times over in a small box. There were a copy of a xerox of a copy (get my drift).
Best set I have ever received was from a magazine and were CAD drawn, very crisp lines with good details. Saying that, one thing to look for in a plan set is good "detail" drawings of various assemblies. These are usually shown as an isometric drawing as opposed to a 2D darwing detail.