Model airplane kits
- building methods explained
Traditional model airplane kits are still favored by many who enjoy the building side of the hobby as much, or even more so, than the flying side.
A kit typically comprises the plan, all the balsa (and ply) wood needed to construct the airplane and most, if not all, of the hardware needed. The pieces such as wing ribs and fuselage formers may already be cut out, or they may just be printed on to the sheet wood and it's your task to accurately cut them out.
Strip balsa will also be included in the kit for use as wing spars, leading and trailing edges, fuselage longerons etc.
Balsa is actually a hardwood and is ideally suited to model airplane kit construction because of its excellent strength to weight ratio. Thin model-grade plywood is also used in certain areas of a model airplane construction, where more strength is required, such as engine bulkheads (firewalls) and landing gear plates.
Above, a classic SE5A balsa kit from Guillows.
Construction of the kit takes place over a plan laid out on a flat modeling board. When the construction and final sanding of the airplane parts (wing, fuselage, tail etc...) is complete, the parts are then covered in some kind of covering film, a common choice being a heat sensitive film which is put on using an iron. The heat melts the adhesive backing which sticks the film to the balsa, then the iron or a heat gun is used to shrink the film over the model.
Heat-shrink covering film is a modern invention though, and traditionally balsa model airplanes were (and still are in some cases) covered in lightweight tissue paper (or even silk) and cellulose dope or perhaps banana oil applied. The principle is the same but the dope has the same effect as the heat in sticking and shrinking the tissue paper. Many builders of vintage model airplanes still favor this method, to keep the model as traditional as possible.
Although there is still a wide selection of traditional balsa kits available, nowadays however it's quite normal for a model airplane to be constructed from foam, fiberglass and various plastics as well as balsa; typically most ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) and RTF (Ready to Fly) airplanes are made this way.
ARF rc airplanes need just a few hours to complete the model whereas an RTF airplane needs nothing at all doing to do it other than maybe attaching the wing.
ARF and RTF rc airplanes have become increasingly popular in the last couple of decades or so, and models like the NexStar Select 46
gas airplane and its electric cousin have introduced many people to the hobby of rc flying, without having to build their airplane from plans and a kit.
Of course, for modelers looking to build an rc airplane completely from kit form, the traditional balsa kits are still favored. The kit will usually contain everything that is required, including all the necessary hardware, leaving the modeler just needing to buy covering material, paint and of course engine and radio gear where necessary.
There's no doubt that building a model airplane from a kit is extremely satisfying, and seeing it take to the skies even more so! And for many, the building is more rewarding than the flying - the reason why ARFs and RTFs will never completely take over.
RC airplane construction accessories
Various tools and accessories are needed to construct a model airplane from a kit, such as modeling knives, pins and small clamps, modeler's vice and covering accessories as well as various adhesives.
A flat board is also essential, this needs to be something rigid and is possible to insert a pin into, fiberboard on top of a more solid base, for example. Alternative options for your building board include thick polystyrene sheet (rigid) and even a flat sheet of steel. With the latter, strong magnets are used in place of pins to keep the balsa pieces in place while the glue dries.
Browse a selection of tools and accessories for building model airplane kits.
If you're completely new to the model airplane building game, an excellent resource is Carl Baer's book 'How To Make RC Airplanes'.
Carefully detailing the build of a typical balsa rc model airplane from a kit, the book takes you through each stage with detailed photographs to illustrate the build.
Not only does the book cover the build, it also shows you how to set up and organize your building bench and work area before you get started.
Related pages
Vintage rc airplanes - modern-day traditionally built kits.
ARF rc airplanes - more info on Almost Ready To Fly airplanes.
RTF rc airplanes - what to expect from a Ready To Fly airplane.
