How to Build RC Planes from Scratch

Do you remember those tiny balsa wood airplanes that came in plastic packages and sold for less than a dollar at the dime store? The kind you assembled in a few minutes by sliding one piece of pre-cut balsa wood into the other, attaching the wings, adding a little glue if necessary, winding up with a rubber band and hand-launching into the air?

I’ll bet we went through 50 or 60 of those cute little planes when I was growing up in the 1950s and 1960s.

For most of us, the memory of this childhood treat is all that remains. For thousands of others, the experience led to bigger pieces of balsa wood, stronger glue, bigger rubber bands and more intricate model airplane patterns.

What joy people the world over have found in building their own RC planes from scratch. It doesn’t matter if they are beginner RC hobby modelers or possess time-honed woodworking skills.

Tasks Involved in Building a Model Plane from Balsa Wood

Patterns can be obtained in a multitude of sizes and designs, or you can make your own designs as you gain proficiency. Learning to work from a pattern is a skill you can develop over time through widely available books, magazines and online resource.

There are RC building tips when it comes to enlarging or reducing patterns, too. For example, you never want to work with the original pattern because of various alterations, markings and damage you might do to the pattern. Always work with a photocopy.

RC Plane construction on the Valkyrie Project at Joe Nall

If you’re going to invest time and energy building your own plane, you want the best materials. Learn to select balsa wood and other supplies that can be cut and sanded easily. You’ll want materials that stand up under pressure.

There are ways, too, of using lacquer thinner to transfer the pattern to the balsa wood for improved accuracy and convenience.

Learning to use drills, coping saws, sanders, clamps and all sorts of special tools can be tedious, exacting work. The construction process can also become a way to relax and enjoy the creative process to higher and higher levels.

Knowing what special adhesives, paints, lacquers, decals and other intricate details are out there for RC planes are all part of the journey.

Constructing Model RC Planes from Scratch at Joe Nall

RC Model Plane for The Valkyrie Project at Joe Nall

One of the amazing things my brother and I saw while attending the Joe Nall RC event in May, 2011 was taking place in the new airplane hanger on the Hartness property. A huge table was set up where two men were working on a large plane.

Teams at previous Joe Nall RC events had already constructed parts of the wings, the fuselage and were working on other parts of the plane. I have included photos and will upload an RC video my brother narrated in an upcoming post.

What is neat about this project is that anyone who attends the Joe Nall RC event can help build this plane. The table is set up. The photocopied plans are laid out. Everything you need, including personal instruction by a builder on site, is right there waiting for you to join in the building of a very special aircraft.

That’s right. Just pick up a piece of balsa wood, cut it to specifications, sand it to fit, check it out with your mentor and glue it into place. Oh, and sign your name directly onto the balsa wood of your piece.

If you look closely in the photos on this page, you’ll see where other craftsmen, experienced or neophyte, have penciled in their names after adding their little bit to Joe Nall aeronautical history.

The present project, called the Valkyrie Project, was in its fifth year when Mike and I attended the show in May, 2011. Mike found the construction pieces he had added to the wings a year or two ago.

Mike locates the balsa wood pieces he added to the plane's frame at a previous Joe Nall.

I did take more photos of the Valkyrie Project at the Joe Nall RC event and plan to write a future post and upload the video Mike narrated.

Construction of RC Model Planes of All Sizes and Shapes

Because the aeromodeling hobby is so versatile, it attracts enthusiasts who love airplanes of every shape, size, variety and skill level.

Learning how to build RC planes can last a lifetime, as hobbyists go from beginners to more advanced to advanced builders.

I found a couple of RC videos that showed me a bit more about the various models people are building in their areas of interest. You might enjoy them, too, so I am linking to them below. Enjoy!