Getting Started Scratchbuilding RC planes

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One of the hot things to do in RC these days is scratchbuilding.  It can be a challenge, but with a little patience and know how, you can essentially build an entire air worthy plane with just a few dollars worth of parts.  In the process you will pickup a ton of knowledge on actual flight dynamics and what works and doesn't work.  Scratchbuilding is just a great way to see how each and every component, placement of parts, CG, wing area, thrust and many other aspects of your plane affects its performance characteristics.  This will definitely help you in the future troubleshoot problems with other aircraft that you may have purchased as RTF or ARF versions.  The components that make the scratchbuild work are identical to the components that make any RC plane you purchase work.  However, the big difference with the scratchbuild is that you are actually designing (if not using plans) and creating the airframe that all the components will actually fit into.
The main components of a scratch built aircraft are:
 

  • Air frame material (depron or Dollartree foamboard)
  • Electronics and motor (including ESC, servos, wiring, prop, etc)
  • Battery
  • Receiver
  • Landing gear if configured

 
The main focus we want to look at here is the airframe material and design since this is essentially what makes a scratchbuild plane a scratchbuild.  The rest of the components can be ordered from an online RC parts dealer or purchased at a local hobby store.  The two main materials that most scratchbuilders use is either Depron foam which is readily found at most RC online store sites or Dollartree foamboard which can be purchased for $1 a sheet at your local Dollartree store.  The Dollartree foam board is by far cheaper than Depron and is basically as strong and versatile for the purposes of scratchbuilding.
 
There are many great websites on the net that describe how to build foam board planes.  However, one of the best techniques that I have found is by a guy named Ed who has the YouTube channel "Experimental Airlines."  He has one of the most detailed explanations of his techniques along with How-to videos describing his method of creating a true airfoild using a sheet of foamboard.  He calls this the "Armin" wing.  There is also great instruction on how to cover your foam board using standard packing tape, creating fuselage tubes, control surfaces, motor mounts, determining CG, etc.  Kudos to Ed and his techniques that he has pioneered which has allowed many to take the art of scratchbuilding to the next level.
 
Another great group of guys out there is RC Foam Fighters who specialize in speed planes that resemble fighter jets using KF Step wings and other building techniques they detail on their Youtube channel. You can learn a lot of great things from these guys.
 
We can't forget about Flite Test. These guys have really hit home with many RC'ers out there who love to experiment and explore the possibilities of RC flight. They have truly taken things to the next level. A lot of great information is available on their Youtube channel, including how they scratchbuild their "swappable" series. Many of these techniques can be carried over to just about any other scratchbuild you are looking to make.
I personally just finished my first scratchbuild plane and it was definitely an exciting thing to see what started out as a couple of sheets of dollartree foam take to the skyies and perform maneuvers.  I highly recommend that anyone who wants to truly experience the joy of building their own planes attempt at least one scratchbuild project.  Seeing the first plane take to the skies leaves me nothing but excited to get started on my next idea.
 
Stay tuned as I will detail this first scratchbuild and some of the things that I learned going through the process as well as tips and tricks for success on your first scratchbuild.

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