Plan UP— For More
Choices!
Having built and flown R/C aircraft since
the early 1980's, I've witnessed incredible
changes within the sport and industry.
The changes include the leaps in
electronic technology we now enjoy, radio
equipment, the models—super small to
the ridiculously huge, and ARF's galore,
Participation in our hobby has changed
too—typically more flying and less
building.
Fewer Choices
Nevertheless, even though certain segments of the hobby have grown, R/C aircraft modelers have reduced selections in many areas of the hobby than in years past. A quick glance at most shops inventory and you’ll find very few R/C airplane or glider kits to build.Honorable Mention
Despite the slim selection available in hobby stores for the kit builders, there are companies still hanging in there producing kits. SIG, Balsa USA,Top Flight and Proctor Enterprises—who still manufacture the old line of VK kits, are worth noting. Great Planes is also producing kits but sadly gutted the Carl Goldberg line of products, yet keep the iconic brand alive with a few kit offerings. Additionally, there are also companies that cut short and full wood kits from designer plans. Short kits are not complete kits and most lack plans, accessories, hardware, and instructions. Kit cutter models are typically giant sized—60”+ wingspans for biplanes, and 80”+ wingspans for monoplanes. There are a few companies that cut kits for the smaller birds, but the giants have the greatest selection. With balsa airplane kit choices far less than in years past for the .15 to .60 sized aircraft, where do we go from here in flying something unique—something we actually build and not just assemble? Consider building from a plan. What? Yes, build from a plan!Thousands and Thousands of
Plans
The famous cosmologist Carl Sagan told us there are “billions, and billions, of stars” in the universe. Regrettably there aren’t “billions, and billions”, of airplane plans, but there are are thousands, and thousands!
Plans are available from various sources
such as RCM Modeler, (now defunct and
the plans are all over the web for free),
the AMA, Model Airplane News, Traplet
Publications, and many other independent
plan designers.
Has a kit been discontinued? No problem.
Chances are there's a plan available.
Want to be different and fly something
nobody else will have at the field? Plans
are the way to go.
If you've built a couple of kits you should
have no problem building from a plan. Cut
out the parts so you have a kit, and
assemble using techniques learned from
kit building and/or use the construction
articles or notes if they’re available for
your plan.
To make the build easier, you can buy
ready made cowls, canopies, and wheel
pants for various plan sets. Oh, and if
you’re a real greenhorn, enlist the help of
a fellow more experienced builder.
Confine your first build subject to a simple
box fuselage type sport model or a high
wing trainer. These type of aircraft are the
easiest to build.
Final Thoughts
What about cost? For about $55.00 in balsa wood I built up two .25 sized airplanes. One sport, an old timer, and one .60 sized scale airplane. Of course, the hardware and finishing materials will add additional cost to the project, but you should come out with a cost less than, or equal to, a similar size and type ARF airplane. The only real cost you can't escape, or put a price on—is your time. For me, the investment is entirely worth it. I've never been able to separate building and flying. I don't look at the hobby as two separate endeavors, I enjoy both building and flying. Building is worthwhile time well spent and makes a great project to share with youngsters or other family members, I have extremely fond memories of the time spent with my father and son when we built airplanes from plans and kits together. When building and completing a model from a plan or kit, you get a sense of accomplishment, individual craftsmanship, and satisfaction that assembling an ARF just can't match. You have the opportunity to create something unique, extremely personal, and a true expression of yourself. It's something you won't understand it until you do it. Give it a try—It's worth it! John W. Blossick Tail Slide Haven johnb@tslidehaven.com 2015
R/C Aircraft Insight From Low Altitude
Editors note: Regarding the honorable mention. There are many companies
manufacturing kits in the U.S. and elsewhere. You rarely see them advertised in
magazines and the big mail order houses don’t carry them. You’re lucky if you
stumble across their web sites when surfing—they’re buried deep in the search
engines, if they appear at all.
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