Model Airplanes from Builder's Cast-Offs!

Author: Bruce Bird

Strange to say but once you have mastered the basics of building a model airplane and have a few spare bits lying around your workshop or garage it becomes very easy to produce your very own design of RC model airplane. Simple Plastic Airplane Design (SPAD) is really cheap and fun alternative to constructing expensive remote controlled model airplanes kits.

The concept of SPAD started in the late 90's and has evolved into a highly detailed and solid method for building RC model airplanes. While using traditional building materials and techniques can take weeks or months to put an airplane together, applying the SPAD concept can reduce the build time down to days, or even hours.

SPAD materials are widely available and are less expensive than those used in standard balsa model airplane kits. Plans and help for building a SPAD can be found online and are completely free. The best part about flying a SPAD is its survivability when it comes to the inevitable crashes as your enthusiasm gets away from you!

The basic RC model airplane SPAD concept revolves around using inexpensive building materials that can be found at local hardware stores and sign shops - or even picked up for nothing from builders cast-offs. While the materials required for constructing a SPAD vary from one design to another, the basic materials used include; PCV downspout pipe for the fuselage, CoroPlast(corrugated platic) sign material for the wings and controls surfaces, HDPE cutting boards for firewalls and landing gear blocks, and CA (superglue) to hold everything together.

Because of the simplicity involved in putting a SPAD RC model airplane together, even an inexperienced modeler can complete the job in a single weekend. A basic fuselage made from PVC downspout can be made in a matter of minutes, CoroPlast wings and control surfaces in just a few hours, and all the miscellaneous parts to complete the project in just a few hours more. Acquiring the materials needed for a RC model airplane SPAD project may require no more than a trip to the local hardware store and a few phone calls to local sign shops.

Aside from these readily available materials, there are a few other items that you will need; self tapping sheet metal screws, zip ties, a utility knife and a few wood sticks(4mmx27mmx1m Pine lathing/lattice). Other items needed to complete your RC model airplane, such as wheels, landing gear and control arms, will need to be fabricated or purchased from your favorite hobby store.

Plans for building a SPAD RC model airplane are available online, free of charge, from many different sources. SpadToTheBone.com, the original home for the RC model airplane SPAD concept, has plans to suit just about anyone. From the ever popular trainer called the Debonair, to the more sophisticated Coro Edge 540 sport/funfly model. A community has been built around the RC model airplane SPAD concept at SpadWorld.net where model builders from all over the globe help each other learn better and more exciting ways to make SPADs.

One of the greatest benefits to building with the RC model airplane SPAD materials is just how tough they are. Whether you're trying a new aerobatic maneuver and just can't seem to pull out of it, or just learning to take off for the first time and cartwheel your airplane down the runway, the chances that your plane will survive are very good. Compared to easily breakable balsa, plastic is a very forgiving material that can survive higher impact speeds without damage - and is easily fixed when broken.

Ease of construction, low cost and survivability all add up to a package that encourages modellers to experiment with design concepts and methods that extend the envelope of their experience and knowledge. Why not give it a go yourself?

About the Author:

Bruce Bird makes it easy for the beginner to quickly get a grasp of the broad range of exciting activities that make up airplane modeling. Visit his website to receive his FREE 5 part mini-series and to find out more about rc model airplanes.