Free Plane Plans for RC Indoor Models
Wide variety and quality for download of free model plane plans
One of the singular aspects of flying radio control model aircraft is the ability to build a model from a set of plans. A typical model airplane plan is printed out full size, and the building is done directly on the plan. The plan contains all the information required to complete the aircraft. Items such as individual part shapes, wood size, control throws, dihedral angle and location of the center of gravity are included in the plan presentation.
Concept plan for the Chickadee prototype
Building from plans is a very affordable method to create a flying fleet tailored to your desires. Plans can offer projects from a scale model to micro indoor flyers. Model airplane plans are available for a modest cost from a variety of sources. With minimum effort, you can also locate free plane plans for your next radio control model airplane.
The quality of free model airplane plans varies, ranging from a rough sketch to a detailed computer aided design product. I have several free plane plans available on this website, with additional ones to follow.
Finch free CAD plan
The Finch is a great start for a free airplane CAD plan that you can download here. The Finch is a three channel micro indoor radio control model expressly designed to use the lipo battery and miniature radio control equipment from the ParkZone P-51 RTF foam fighter. The hardware and electronic items are annotated on the Finch plans and can be purchased at Horizon Hobby. By using a standardized set of electronics you will be assured of building the Finch within the weight limits for this lightweight flyer. Note that you can adapt the Finch to use depron foam for the ribs and tail section.
Top view of the Finch RC micro plane - download a free Finch plan here
You print out the full size Finch plans using Microsoft Word. I drew the Finch plan using TurboCAD. However, if I made this plan available solely as a TurboCAD file, anyone wishing to download it would require TurboCAD on their computer to open the file. As few modelers have the TurboCAD program on their computers, I decided to copy the Finch plan into a Word document. As just about everyone has Word installed on their computers, this allows a wide range of modelers to open and print out the plan. The Finch plan prints out over nine pages. The cover sheet provides clear directions on how to tape together the sheets to get the top and side views.
The Finch can be flown outdoors under calm wind conditions
The Finch is easy to build and is an ideal first construction project for building a model airplane from plans. The Finch does not use much balsa wood and can be finished in a weekend. The Finch is designed for indoor RC flight, but can be flown outdoors under calm wind conditions.
Snapper PDF free plan
Another free plane plan you can download is the Snapper. The Snapper is a three channel electric powered model using a constant chord wing and simplified construction techniques. The Snapper prints out as a PDF file.
Top view of the Snapper
The Snapper is a evolution of my Yard Ace design, published in Quiet and Electric Flight International magazine. The Snapper is a unique project. I drew the Snapper’s TurboCAD plans during two hours and 50 minutes of video tutorials that form a series of lessons on using TurboCAD. You can follow the entire Snapper design process on the training CDs.
CAD programs for RC planes
CAD programs are incredibly useful and powerful for drafting radio control model airplane plans, but there is a learning curve. Take a moment to view some of my sample TurboCAD lessons as I go from a clean sheet of paper to the finished Snapper design. All the training is available on a two CD set. After viewing the 12 lessons you will be able to employ TurboCAD to draw your own model plane plans.
Detail of the Finch nose section - a free CAD plan
The Snapper is a larger size electric model with a 38 inch wing span and is best suited for outdoor flight. The Snapper uses normal building materials of balsa and plywood, and can be flown by a beginning modeler.
There are many other sources of free model airplane plans available on the web. A Google search will display any number of websites. If the plans were originally hand drawn, you will normally get a smaller version when you download the plan and print it out.
As described for the Blackburn and Chickadee plans, it is a simple procedure to enlarge a smaller plan to any size desired. I use a local FedEx Kinkos copy center. You select an enlargement ratio (up to 1000%), scan the plan, and the copy machine will print out a full size plan on sheet paper up to 36 inches in width. The scan and enlargement process could not be any easier.