Model Airplane Building Clinic >> Begins 29 Sep. All Skill Levels Welcomed

[Murocflyer]

I am currently building a MM Switchback Sr and thinking to myself how much I enjoy building model airplanes. Then I thought that there are probably a bunch of folks that have never actually built a plane from either a kit or plans. Could be tons of reasons why that is, but perhaps one of the reasons is that they are not sure if they could actually build something from a kit. So then I thought, what about an online tutorial to teach folks how to build something. But even better yet, how about we get a bunch of folks working on the same plane at the same time and if they have any problems or questions, there will be a number of folks that could help answer their question.

So with that said, who would like to build a plane with me? You can build whatever you want to build, if you need some ideas let me know. I know a good choice is from Mountain Models or Stevens AeroModels since they are such great quality kits. You can be a total beginner to building or even an experienced builder, but I thought it would be cool to have a bunch of folks all building a plane at the same time so we can teach people on how to build a balsa plane.

I figure 29 Sep would be a good start date for the project to begin. That would give us time to figure out what we want to build and give people time to purchase the necessary things to build the plane. Then when we finish the build, we can pick a weekend and have a mass maiden with pics and videos being posted on how they go.

Participants:

1. Murocflyer... Builder (Mountain Models Switchback)
24. Turner... Builder (Carl Goldberg Mirage 550)
25. BradT... Builder (TBD)
26. Pd1... Master Builder (Astro-Hog)
27. Aeroknot...Newbie (Mimi DLG & Mountain Models Lucky ACE)
28. Unclebuck21228...Builder (Dick's Dream)
17. RCTOYS4ALL...Builder (House of Balsa T-6)
30. JerseyDog...Newbie (Mini Stick)
35. Stevephoon...Builder (Aerotech Chrysalis 2m Electric sailplane)
1007. offtom...Builder (Martin B-10)

Click on the name above to go to their build thread.

Instructor List

Contact the below individuals at anytime that you have a question or problem.

1. Murocflyer
2. rcers




I figure we better clarify skill levels so we can know who we are working with.

Newbie: No experience in building a balsa plane at all.

Basic: Has built one or two planes, but mostly has assembled balsa ARF planes.

Builder: Experience with working with balsa. Has built a number of planes or designed and built his own planes using balsa.

Master Builder: Been there done that. Has forgotten more about building balsa planes than most know.

Does that cover it?

Since this is going to be a clinic on how to build an airplane, all builders must have some tools to work with. I have put together a list of tools all builders shoould have. See here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1691768


So who wants to be involved? Let me know and if you have any questions or some ideas on how we can make this even better please feel free to speak up.

Thanks,

Frank


For those that have not decided what to build yet, I can guarantee you will not be disappointed in any of these selections:

Mountain Models

LuckyACE

EVA Sport

ETana


Stevens Aero

FullHouse

SQuiRT

Shaft (400)

[Turner]

Sounds like a good idea. I've never built a wood plane. I have a couple kits, though, and even though it will be different from what everyone chooses I'll build one that I have. I have a Mid West Aero-Lectric and a Carl Goldberg Mirage 550.

Neither of these kits are set up for ailerons but I would like to ad them.

[touche]

I guess I'm a basic+ lol. I will subscribe to this thread as I have had to do a few repairs that I wasn't that happy with ie: bending balsa for a leading edge etc. I also head south for the winter early to mid Oct. Looking forward to it.

[BradT]

Turner, the Mirage 550 was my first ever kit, 15 tears ago, and was no problem for a total newbie, as I was at that time. It was also a very successful trainer, surviving all my rookie mistakes, and was my daily flier for quite a while. Building it in '97, it used the supplied brushed can motor, and 7 of the very latest, super high capacity, 1700 mah nicads .Even without ail., it would rudder roll, after I gained the skill, and courage, to try it.

I think you'll find it a great introduction to building, and with modern BL motor power and lightweight lipo packs, it will be an even better flier than mine was. I've attached 3 old scanned pics of my Mirage.

Murocflyer,
this is a great idea, and I hope that you get lots of interest in the project. I'll think about a build for myself, as I haven't built a wood model in about 5 years. I have several of Ivan Pettigrew's plans that need to get done, so that's probably the way I'll go.

Brad.

[BradT]

double post

[pattern14]

Good to see a building thread about balsa. I have two Australian made balsa kits that I will be doing in the next 12 months, so this is timely. I 99% build from EPP and coreflute, but there is nearly always a balsa piece in there somewhere, usually a control surface. Lets hope this thread really takes off

[Turner]

Originally Posted by BradT

Turner, the Mirage 550 was my first ever kit, 15 tears ago, and was no problem for a total newbie, as I was at that time. It was also a very successful trainer, surviving all my rookie mistakes, and was my daily flier for quite a while. Building it in '97, it used the supplied brushed can motor, and 7 of the very latest, super high capacity, 1700 mah nicads .Even without ail., it would rudder roll, after I gained the skill, and courage, to try it.

I think you'll find it a great introduction to building, and with modern BL motor power and lightweight lipo packs, it will be an even better flier than mine was. I've attached 3 old scanned pics of my Mirage.

Thanks for that and the pictures.

[Stevephoon]

Frank,

I like this idea a lot. I do like the thought of everyone helping each other with their builds. That's why I have done my build threads, to get opinions and help when I get stuck.

I have a balsa Chrysalis E-Glider that I need to build, but I probably won't be able to start as early as the end of Sept. I wasn't planning on building it until the dark of winter sets in... After Christmas... But I've built a few balsa kits and I'll chime in with what I've learned whenever things get started.

Steve

[Rabbitcreekok]

Frank, I am not going to build anything now, but I will follow the thread to watch and learn.

[Murocflyer]

removed

[Murocflyer]

Thanks for the support gentlemen, I appreciate it. I think this is going to be a lot of fun. I really enjoy building model airplanes and I really enjoy working with balsa and I figure why not do a little paying forward with all that I have learned about building planes in the last 7 years or so. I know there are a lot of people who may be intimidated with balsa because it seems so fragile, but if a plane is built right, it can actually be very strong.

If this is successful, I plan on doing one of these clinics either every 6 months or at least once a year.

Please help spread the word to those that you think might be interested and if you decide on a plane to build, let me know and I will annotate that. I'm not sure what I want to build yet. I am leaning toward the MM Switchback or the Astro-Hog.


Frank

[riverrat]

Subscribed!

[road king 97]

I am sighned up ! i have built with balsa for 35 years and now learning how to build with different kinds of foam ,lol never to old to learn what the new generation is building with. My last kit was a 60 size AT-6 kit from top flight about 12 years ago and i have been scratch building since then. Here was my last big balsa build but i have 2 more big ones planned for this winter. Looking foward to your build thread . joe

[Murocflyer]

Joe,

I'm a tad confused. Will you be building a model with us or just following the builds?

Thanks for the clarification.

Frank

[road king 97]

I will be following along right now but this winter i have plans and a lazer cut short kit for a 84 inch wing span electrict twin otter ,its not a kit but kinda with with the laser cut parts. I would do a build thread here this winter on the twotter if alright with you . I have kits and i will look through them and see if i can choose one to build .I like your thread and the idea of building anything balsa . BTW just like BradT iam a builder of ivans plans so my short solent is from his plans the twotter and i bought his 84 inch wing span albatross too.

[Murocflyer]

Originally Posted by road king 97

I will be following along right now but this winter i have plans and a lazer cut short kit for a 84 inch wing span electrict twin otter ,its not a kit but kinda with with the laser cut parts. I would do a build thread here this winter on the twotter if alright with you . I have kits and i will look through them and see if i can choose one to build .I like your thread and the idea of building anything balsa .joe

Got it, thanks Joe.

Frank

[road king 97]

Originally Posted by Murocflyer

Got it, thanks Joe.

Frank

Are you the same Murcoflyer i see posting in the AMA forums ?

[Murocflyer]

Originally Posted by road king 97

Are you the same Murcoflyer i see posting in the AMA forums ?

If I say "yes" is that a bad thing?

But yes, same guy.

Frank

[Cowboy]

Sounds like a interesting thread I will be watching closely.

[pd1]

Hi Frank, I'm building a plane right now. I should be able to finish it before Sept.29 and I'll start another one then.
Now I have to decide what the next one will be.

Just personal preference, I really like the X Acto or scapel #11 blade a lot.

If you have to carve something the X Acto #26 is real handy too.

[road king 97]

Originally Posted by Murocflyer

If I say "yes" is that a bad thing?

But yes, same guy.

Frank

Ha Ha, no not a bad thing i had my moments defending the ama on rcu forums before i got burnt out and figuired out i was better off building and flying than dealing with the non ama haters. lmao I competed in pattern and pylon and a ama member for the same 35 years. joe

[Canuk]

I will follow this and might I sugggest the MM Etana?

I have been eyeing this kit as my first electric build.

[road king 97]

Originally Posted by Canuk

I will follow this and might I sugggest the MM Etana?

I have been eyeing this kit as my first electric build.

Give us old farts a link cause i dont know what a Etana looks like Canuk. Thanks joe

[con244]

I'd like to follow along as well! Have been building balsa planes since I was 13 years old (40yrs ago). Was taught a lot of the basics from a master builder who used to win comps for his scale control line planes. Not going to build this time but would like to offer advice if required.
Con

[riverrat]

Just personal preference, I really like the X Acto or scapel #11 blade a lot.
[/QUOTE]

pd1

Yeah! #11 is the workhorse! I buy in volume & don't even try to resharpen!!

BUT! The RAZOR PLANE has got to be my favorite!!

This has the makings of being a great thread! Maybe
an old dog (RAT)CAN learn some new tricks?? I wont
be building, need to work on my flying skills!!

Regards
Jimmy