A Model Airplane Plan Represents the Finished Aircraft
You can build any RC model from an airplane plan - try it!
An airplane plan is the pictorial story of how a model airplane is built. There are a wide variety of model airplane plans in existence. Some show a great deal of detail, while others are more or less advanced sketches of how a model is constructed. As you start your study and understanding of an airplane plan, you will quickly find out if the aircraft plan you are reviewing will meet your modeling and flying needs.
Nose section of the Finch full size CAD micro RC model airplane plan
A key characteristic shared by the vast majority of RC model airplane plans like the Robin II is that the design is printed out full size on paper. The reason for this is that a typical RC model is constructed directly over the plans. The airplane plan must show the correct wood size and arrangement for the model to be built. It is customary to label the various wood and part sizes on the plan, and the aircraft outline itself is just about always full size.
Chickadee CAD model airplane plan
There can be an exception to having a full size paper print out of an airplane plan. Computer Aided Design (CAD) prepared plans are the norm these days, as opposed to a hand drawn airplane plan. Until the advent of practical consumer CAD programs in the late 1990s, all model airplane plans were prepared by hand.
CAD laser cut parts
CAD programs have a very useful feature that distinguishes them from plans drawn by hand. All the information on a model airplane’s various parts is “known” within the CAD program. The computer part size information can be transferred to a laser cutting machine. The laser cutter, using CAD data, can cut the balsa and plywood aircraft parts to a accuracy within 0.01 inches. The process is truly amazing, and has truly facilitated the mass production of ready to fly models.
Laser cut Clark Y wing ribs for Electro Aviator
This remarkable precision means that it is possible to design and fabricate a model airplane kit with laser cut parts that simply assemble together. The result can be the lack of a need for a full size airplane plan. This is usually the case with simpler RC models. In this case, a reduced size airplane plan will provide the necessary information for the builder to successfully put the aircraft together.
More planes types from plans
Once you gain the skills of being able to read and understand all the information on a typical RC model airplane plan, a new world opens of RC aircraft that you can build. A lot of time and effort goes into preparing a typical RC airplane kit. Thus, the range of kit models offered for sale is limited. In addition, manufacturers usually pick better known full size aircraft to offer as a kit. If your interest lies in one of a kind or limited production run aircraft, you will find few kits in this genre.
The good news is that all these fascinating aircraft can be modeled if you build them from an airplane plan. Plans are far easier to produce than a kit. You also have access to very successful free flight models from the past that can easily be adapted to electric indoor RC flight. The extremely low vibration level of an electric motor means that even a basic free flight airplane configuration from the 1930s can readily be adapted to radio control flight with minimum structural modifications.
Blackburn three channel radio control model airplane plan
As you gain experience and confidence building an aircraft from model plans, consider designing your own indoor RC airplane and drawing up a set of construction plans. It is a lot easier than you think. I highly recommend that you take the time to learn one of the CAD programs to prepare the airplane plan. I have been using TurboCAD since around 2000, and I am entirely satisfied with the product. It is amazing how quickly you can draft a set of quality plans once you get the few basics of TurboCAD understood. Do consider getting a copy of my TurboCAD training CD here. It will save you weeks of study in learning the basics of TurboCAD.
Finally, once you prepare your first model plan, consider offering it for publication. I have had five model designs published. All you have to do is draw up the set of plans and test fly your prototype, write up a construction article with some pictures, and mail it off to the editors of the various modeling magazines. The magazines are always looking for new model designs to publish - why not yourself!