Starting building

[slopetrash]

How do i go about building a plane from scratch are there books ,material suppliers , in the past i`ve only built from kits/artf any help would be appreciated

[Phil Cooke]

slopetrash -
Are we still talking B-52's here, or is this another project ?? - if it is B-52 related, you will already have a plan, from which you then make up your own components and effectively create your own 'kit' of parts - but if you really are suggesting a build from scratch, you need to establish your own drawing and plans before work can commence!

Drawing up your own plans requires scaling up your chosen aircrafts outline from good 3-view drawings...having first decided upon what size of model you want to create you then work out how to go from the drawing you have to the model scale you want on paper (I normally draw my plans on Wall paper 'lining' paper) This is often a silly scale factor to get the required span in model form - scaling up each time, recreate the scale outline on paper changing dimensions/shape where deemed necessary for PSS - wing span/areas are often tweaked to aid soaring characteristics without destroying the overall character of the full-size aircraft - this is the real skillful bit! )

With an outline on paper you are happy with you then need to decide upon construction method and complete your drawing to dictate the components you will have to form from scratch. If you are making from foam, this is easy enough - you will just need to section the fuz/wings at points where linear changes in section occur, and make formers for cutting foam around at these points. However if you are building up your model conventionally you need to draw out in a bit more detail, positioning and sizing formers, longerons, doublers in order to put enough material and strength into areas to achieve the final required external shape.

This becomes easier with experience - hopefully you have built up enough models before and you have a knowledge on which to base your plans drawing...!!

Once youve got your plan drawn up, you then have to work out how much materials you need and go and buy them! Balsa is available in all sizes/forms at any good model shop, foam is available from commercial sources too, but I try to get mine from local building sites (its used as packing and thrown out into skips - ask any foreman on site and you may get your materials for free!)

Hope this helps a little - building from scratch is great but can often be challenging - often the model 'evolves' a little as the build continues - you nearly always end in situations that weren't clear on your original drawing - with no instruction or previous build to highlight what to do! Having said that there is nothing more rewarding than flying a model that you have created from concept!!!! Let us know how you get on!!!!

[slopetrash]

Hi Phil
Thanks for the information, no it`s not the B52 as i`m buying Simons and i haven`t got a plane in mind yet but i will sooner or later like to build from scratch .
With regard to materials do you mean polystyrene from building sites as thats where i work as a carpenter or do you have other suppliers or materials in mind.
One thing is are you able to take the wing section from the original or a suitable alternative?
Last question for now is it worth making a foam cuter and how or are there comercial ones available for a reasonable price?
Many thanks Harvey

[Phil Cooke]

Some good questions there! I can't answer them all, but here goes...

Most types of foam are good for modelling - there are 3 types readily available from building sites so keep your eyes peeled - White Foam is great for structures that are due to be veneered, it is low density but can not be worked too well with anything but a hot wire, the surface finish is poor - hence the veneer - which improves surface as well as increasing strength. Good for wing panels, tails etc plus fuselage sections cut straight between formers. Must be veneered though...

The higher density foams are also of great value to the modeller, look out for the pink and blue stuff. One is a little denser than the other (I can never remember which way this goes? ) but both are well suited...the nice thing about these materials is that they can be carved, sanded, rasped, etc - treated almost like soft balsa - create complex shapes and simply finish with epoxy and light glass cloth (or similar - even ladies tights! - ask the misses first though! )

Regarding scale wing sections....in my experience it is very rare that a scale wing section is utilised on a PSS model - most types will benefit no end as PSS from utilising a proven section (I'm no aerodynamist, and have only ever used Eppler 205 and RG15 on my models) - Other designers will have their favourites, and ill let them add the list of sections here - and if poss explain why they are good at what they do...

As for the foam cutter - Ive never owned one - Ive always just drawn up my requirements and sent drawings off to the professionals for that - however I think commercially available units are available, at cost, but equally they are quite simple to make at home.

However, having never built one I dont think Im qualified to explain the design details - can anyone else out there help out???

Do you not just need a bow, a length of 'E' guitar string and a 12V supply?? Or is that an old wives tale??

[AndyB]

A few years ago, I built a couple of Bows (long and short) from details in a book called "Radio Control Foam Modelling" by Dave Thomas. They didn't take long but a 12v supply wasn't enough for the larger (1 metre ) bow. 20v was OK though.

I used to have a simple commercial item that was produced by Flair ( ?? don't know if it's still available). I say "used to have" because said item is on long-term loan to a gentleman of our acquaintance from the Milton Keynes area... :-)