Radio Controlled Scale Model Aircraft

A cool article from a nice aircraft modelling website

This is usually a scale model aircraft (the exceptions are reconnaissance aircraft purpose made); controlled remotely using a hand held transmitter, which in turn sends a signal to a corresponding receiver which controls the servos on the aircraft to adjust the necessary rudders and wing flaps.

Radio controlled scale model aircraft come in various sizes, some are very basic with the purpose purely on flight and manoeuvrability. Whilst for obvious reasons all do need these anyway, some are built to be highly detailed replicas of the original plane. This may be for the love of the aircraft and attention to detail, or to be used in photo or film shoots, which can be used very effectively in historical films or documentaries. (Although there’s no denying CGI technology is probably now more widely used.)

There are various clubs and organisations around the world dedicated to this hobby, and as all enthusiasts generally very helpful (and passionate). At a glance one may easily incorrectly assume that this is a simple toy, but if you stop and think about the aerodynamics and precision that needs to go into these machines; it may not always be for the faint-hearted. For example if you were to build a scale model aircraft from scratch, (or even kit form), after many hours and money spent you take it for its maiden flight. If that flight should go wrong and end in a crash, this would equate to a long and frustrating task of putting it all together, not to mention examining what went wrong.

RC CRASH COMPILATION

Not nice, for sure, but spectacular, though.

Huge F4U Corsair RC Plane over the Swiss Alps

A cool clip with a really nice warbird.

RC Planes for Beginners: How to Choose

Some very useful tips here.

How To Make Remote Control Model Planes Using Foam Boards

Making RC model airplanes using light-weight foam boards can be a rewarding hobby. The foam-centered boards can be easily cut into complex shapes that can then be glued into the desired model. Paper-faced foam core boards can be substituted for the uncoated Depron type of board. The paper coating can easily be stripped from the foam but it is often better to leave the coating as it makes a great surface to paint onto.

The steps to making a foam model plane are as follows.

Firstly, obtain a design from a reputable designer. You can find a number of different designs available on the Internet or design your own airplane on a sheet of paper so that you can later transfer the design to the flat foam sheets. It helps when starting out to use a design that has been made and tested by other modelers as they will have figured out the balance and the cutting steps.