The object of this series of articles is to take you through the steps required for the construction of model aircraft from plans. Starting with choosing a plan, and ending with the first flight, we shall explore each step involved, carefully detailing the components, techniques, and jargon, that you will need to know, to build, and fly your own plane.

Aiming at the entry level flyer, and first time plan builder, the aircraft that we shall be constructing as an example will be Brian Peckhams Chorus Gull.

Chorus Gull

Measuring 61.5 Inches across the wings, and weighing about 7.75 Pounds when complete, it represents a fairly typical, medium sized, powered plane, of a type you can find flying at most model aircraft clubs these days. Of course should you wish to build something bigger, smaller, a glider, or an electric plane, the construction techniques shown will apply just as equally to you, and will cover most of the aircraft you should choose, and build as a beginner.

OS 40FP 2 stroke engine.

Being a powered plane we shall need an engine, and I am hoping to use an old O.S. 40 that I bought second-hand at a boot fair for £10-00. It is a non-runner, filthy dirty, and partially seized, and represents realistically the condition many of us find our engines in when we first obtain them.

Please remember that this method of building from plans is not a "Dot to Dot" process to be slavishly followed at all times. If you feel that you should build your plane in a different order, or if you have instructions with your model that say to do things a different way, that is perfectly acceptable. Use your common sense, and if you clearly understand where you are, what you are doing next, and why, you should not encounter any serious problems.

 

Those of us that have already decided which Aircraft they are going to build can skip this bit and go on to the next section. Those of us who are new to the sport, or who are not quite sure about something read on.

Chorus Gull Plan (Detail)

Chas Gardiner in his book Flying Scale Gliders states - "What" largely depends on "Where" - the design requirements for satisfactory flying are decided by your site. Although he is referring specifically to gliders these are wise words and should be kept in mind when choosing your plan. To make an informed choice you need information - you will need to find out three things;

Where am I going to fly?
What type of plane can I fly there?
Which aircraft do I want?

Let's cover those questions one at a time.

Because your choice of plane depends so heavily on where you are going to be flying it, this is the most fundamental question of all.

One of the first ports of call must be your nearest model shop, you will probably need these people to help you with a variety of problems, so introduce yourself, tell them what you are trying to do and why. They should be glad to help, if not - go elsewhere! You need to find a shop that is both interested and interesting. Ask them where the local clubs are, then ring the club secretaries, and arrange to go along for a couple of hours to see how you get on.

A well kept and mown flying strip

Ideally there will be a club close to you that fulfills all your needs and everything will work out well. If not - you have got to be a little more creative. Try a friendly farmer, he might let you use one of his fields. Write to the council, and see if there are any brown-field, or grey-field sites they might give you permission to fly on. Try your local scout leaders, or nearby schools, especially technical colleges, they often have areas for the kids to do things of this nature. Try racetracks, or any private airstrips that are near to you. Remember it is important to match the plane to your flying conditions, it is of no use whatsoever building a plane that you can’t fly - because you haven’t found somewhere appropriate to fly it!

If you have found a club that suits you, you will probably have answered this question already. If not here are a few general guidelines to help you.

First of all let’s define what "Type" means; The majority of radio controlled models come in one of two forms; powered, and un-powered.

Taking the powered types first, most of the planes that you will find will either be powered by an Internal Combustion Engine, or alternatively an Electric motor.

Scale	Sport
Fun-Fly	Electric

Un-powered types, or Gliders, also come in two basic definitions, Thermals, and Soarers. Please understand, there are many aircraft that blur the boundaries of these definitions, for example motorised gliders, but broadly speaking all models will fall into one of these types.

Thermal	Soarer

So how does this apply to your site? Flat field sites are great for Powered planes, providing the neighbours do not mind the noise. If you need to be quiet then Electric planes, Thermal Gliders, Bungee launched gliders, and motorised gliders could all fit the bill. Thermal gliders rise in columns of warm rising air, such as might be found over a chalk quarry, or a car park, on a hot day. Bungee gliders use a long, stretched, elastic rope to help them get airborne, and motorised gliders use a small electric motor to gain the height that they need.

Windy, steep sites are mainly suited to gliders, especially soaring gliders. Soarers are built to make use of strong winds being driven upwards by the face of a hill, or steep ridge. If you are lucky enough to have a lake on your site, lakes are suited to float planes. All these types are fun, exciting, beautiful airplanes to own, and fly.

There are a million and one variations on the theme, and you are the only person who can decide how your site affects your choices. Visit web sites like this one, buy and read every model magazine you can lay your hands on. Ring advertisers, tell them what you are doing, describe your site, and ask their opinions. Slowly, you will build up a picture of the type of model that you need, for the flying conditions that you have available to you.

So when you know where you’ll be flying, and you have decided which type(s) of plane will work where you fly, you are finally in a position to choose your aircraft.

This is the fun part. You need to consider the cost, the size, and transport, it is not much fun trying to get a six foot wing onto a bus!

Large models can be difficult to transport.

What, if any, additional equipment do you need. Engines need extras - plugs, fuel, possibly a starter. Electrics may need chargers, and extra battery packs. Do you want a trainer, or a more advanced model? Take as many things into consideration as are important to you - and choose your model. Buy the one you really, really, really want to build, because if you are not head over heels in love with it - you will probably never finish it, and that would be a crying shame.

When you have bought your plan, and are happy with it, you can proceed to the next section - Making a Start.

Coming May 2003

Article by Rick Harding for Bumpy Green Model Aerodrome
April 2003

Comment by Colin Wavell on 00000000000000. Rating none

The Chorus Gull could hardly be considered an entry level model. OK this article should stress more clearly that it is about first time plan builders NOT first time flyers. The first thing that should be stressed is JOIN A CLUB. Then find a MENTOR and take their recommendation for equipment and aircraft and eventually plan. This will save a lot of heart ache and money!!!

Comment by Bumpy Green on 00000000000000. Rating none

This article is aimed to teach the techniques used in building from a plan so we have chosen a complicated plan so that many areas can be explored. We are not expecting beginners to follow along, just to apply the techniques to a plan of their choice.

Comment by Andy Cheshire on 00000000000000. Rating 5

What an informative site ! I recently went to the Leeds Castle concerts near Maidstone, and there was a display by a Spitfire, which fuelled ( pun intended ) my desire to start aircraft modelling once more. Your site will make the job even easier. Keep up the good work.

Comment by Mike Mc on 00000000000000. Rating none

Where is part 2 ???

Comment by yosu on 00000000000000. Rating none

I need a plan of a cinabria, can you helpme? thank you very....

Comment by kieran on 00000000000000. Rating 5

i would like to build the SkyFlex 2000 but i cant find a plan of it? kieran

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