Model Plane Plans Open a New World of RC Modeling
Learn to build RC aircraft from model plane plans
Added fun building unique and seldom modeled aircraft
Curtis flying boat model airplane
There are an almost unlimited number of RC model aircraft that you can build from model airplane plans. Up until just a few years ago, with the advent of practical ready to fly RC model airplanes, RC plane plans were the main method by which RC model aircraft were constructed. Whether you purchased a model airplane kit, or started construction “from scratch” with a set of model plane plans, the importance to the RC plane designer of a set of full size, well drawn construction plans was paramount.
FREE plan of the Snapper - an easy to build three channel electric RC airplane
Model plans basics
The typical RC model plane plans were drawn out full size, and the modeler built all airplane structures directly over the model plane plans. The plans had detailed annotations with wood size and types, needed accessories, and various angles and incidents needed to properly construct the model airplane. The model plane plans were hand drawn in the early days, and experienced modelers could easily spot the distinctive signature elements of the great model plane plans draftsmen of the day. With the advent of practical personal computers in the early 1990s, the rapid adoption of Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs such as TurboCAD drafting software revolutionized the drawing and production of model plane plans. RC airplane plan could now be quickly produced and printed out in a variety of sizes. An added bonus of CAD model plane plans is the ability for laser machines to actually cut out the various model airplane parts from balsa and plywood. The typical laser cutting machine can produce wood model airplane parts to an accuracy of 0.004 inches, allowing for the use of innovative lightweight interlocking aircraft structures.
Detailed hand drawn model airplane plan - all information needed to build the model aircraft
2 hours and 50 minutes of video training on using TurboCAD for drawing model airplane plans here
This opens up a whole new world of modeling once the RC pilot can learn to build from model plane plans. The best way to learn how to build a model airplane from plans is to first construct a well designed kit model airplane that comes with a good set of plans. Ensure the kit has a detailed, illustrated construction booklet. An ideal example of this combination of plans and picture construction booklet is the RC airplane kits Demoiselle scale flyer. The construction manual offers an illustrated, step by step guide as to how you use the model plane plans to actually construct the model.
Concept sketch of Chickadee indoor electric model airplane
The next step is to build a model airplane directly from a set of model plane plans. This is sometimes known as “building from scratch.” It is best to start with a simple model airplane design. I would recommend a medium sized electric RC plane, something with a wingspan of at least 24 inches. If your selected aircraft is too small, there are too many areas in the needed lightweight, precise construction phases that could present problems with flying the finished model. Instead, select a trainer or slow flyer for your first model plane plans project, with a large enough size to tolerate a bit of extra glue or wood that is too heavy.
Study the plans first
Carefully study the plans. In your mind, go through the steps needed to construct the model airplane. If you reach a building point you do not understand, contact a fellow modeler, or use one of the many RC forums to get an answer to your question. Write down the various wood sizes and quantities needed to finish your model plane plans project. All this information can be obtained from the full size construction plans. Get all the model plane plans supplies needed to finish your RC aircraft before you start construction, either from your local hobby shop or one of the many mail order model supply companies.
An illustrated manual, like this one for the Demoiselle, can assist learning to build from plans
I recommend first “building a kit” of your model by cutting out all the formers and ribs from the model plan plans, and then constructing the airplane directly over the plans. There are several build logs on this site for construction of RC model airplanes, such as the Chickadee or the 1912 Blackburn monoplane. These step by step instructions can provide an ideal training ground as to how to construct an airplane from model plane plans. As a matter of a fact, the Chickadee is a great trainer for both building your first aircraft from model plane plans and learning how to fly RC. Once you have a few other planes constructed from plans, the Blackburn monoplane is a very easy fly scale model of an historic British aircraft. Plans for both the Chickadee and Blackburn are available on this site. Chickadee plans are FREE with a purchase of Blackburn plans.
You can build almost any model airplane from plans
In summary
In summary, there are literally thousands of RC model plane plans available today. As you can see at right, your imagination is pretty much the limit on what model airplane can be built from plans. The ability to build an RC model aircraft from plans opens up an entirely new world of unique and seldom seen model airplanes.
It is easy and a lot of fun to draw your own RC model airplane plans with TurboCAD - take a look here!
Model Plane Plans