Scale Model Airplanes are Ideal for Indoor Flight
Small details provide for a scale model airplane look
Scale radio controlled model airplanes are designed to look like their full sized version. Scale model planes can come in a variety of styles. A semi scale approach seeks to capture the overall look of the full size counterpart without complete detail or a precise aircraft outline match. Other prototype model airplane designers create close to 100% accurate scale masterpieces, where every feature and nuance of the full scale prototype is captured in the flying RC model.
Albatross scale electric RC design
Indoor models are ideal as scale subjects
Indoor aircraft, with their low vibration electric motors and slow flight characteristics in the no wind environment of a typical indoor flight venue, are ideal candidates for scale model airplanes. It is possible to purchase ready to fly foam scale model airplanes that take to the air and handle surprisingly well. The ParkZone line of micro indoor aircraft and RC motors is a great example of this genre. The ParkZone Cessna 210 is a prime example of a great looking, superb flying semi-scale RC RTF micro model airplane.
There are several kits of unique scale model airplanes for indoor flight as well. Sig produces RC airplane kits of well known antique aircraft such as the Demoiselle and Antoinette. The Pietenpol Air Camper is another superb kit. These kits are soundly engineered and complete, with detailed plans and photo illustrated build manuals. Sig employs some unique RC plane construction methods for these early scale model aircraft that adapt perfectly to the finished RC model airplane.
Sig Demoiselle three channel electric flyer - an interesting RC plane design challenge
Sig Demoiselle flies like full scale aircraft
Sig goes so far as to explain that their scale model of the Demoiselle, with its high lift wing and high drag configuration (just as with the full scale original) requires specialized piloting techniques for the initial test flights. For example, with the Demoiselle it is crucial that engine power is kept on for the entire flight. The common practice with radio control models of reducing the power to idle and gliding in for a landing will not work with the high drag design of the Demoiselle. If power is abruptly cut with the Demoiselle, the model will more or less drop from the sky. This is all part of the fun of designing, building and flying scale model airplanes. Very often your model will capture the actual flight characteristics of the full scale original.
Scale model airplane plans are also quite easy to prepare for the airplane designer. Oftentimes you can take a regular sport RC airplane, and make subtle changes to the aircraft’s outlines to capture the look of a semi-scale model. With the ease of CAD programs, you can further replicate the detail and accuracy of a full scale aircraft to your model.
Balsa frame of the ElectriFly scale Fokker D-VII World War I biplane fighter
You will almost certainly need to make some adjustments from the full scale version to allow for suitable handling characteristics of scale model airplanes. These typically involve using an airfoil that has proven successful for model flight, and an increase in the area of the vertical and horizontal tail surfaces. The idea here is to maintain as much as possible the overall shape and outline of the original airplane. You will be surprised at how realistic a model airplane can appear with these techniques.
Blackburn monoplane in flight
Antique aircraft are good scale candidates
Scale model airplanes provide a wide variety of subjects for the model airplane designer. Antique aircraft are especially viable subjects for indoor model airplane designs. These early pioneers of flight, with their low powered engines, required generous wing areas that translate well to a scale model version. These early aircraft also had a wide variety of designs as the original full scale prototypes evolved during flight tests.
With the use of the internet (especially Google with image search selected), you can quickly have a detailed look at aircraft museums worldwide for ideas leading to an own design scale model airplane. This is just what I did with my Blackburn scale model airplane design. I found via the internet several very descriptive photos of the Blackburn in museums, as well as full scale replicas in flight, that contributed to the final plans. The Blackburn is a semi-scale design, but builds easily, flies extremely well and has a convincing look.
In summary, just a small amount of work can produce a well behaved and attractive scale model airplane. Scale models are ideal for indoor flight due to the ever present calm wind conditions. With the availability of quality RTF foam models, as well as affordable micro RC gear, everything is in place for you to design, build and fly a great looking scale RC model airplane.