Getting Started in RC
If you go to a hobby store these days there are a few ready to fly models that set you back a hundred or so. They may last an afternoon in the hands of a novice. A real thrill killer!
If a young kid wants to learn about model flight, and step up to RC the marketplace is bleak these days. The products all seem to be aimed at experts.
In the early days there were lots of kits and plans and articles in popular magazines that would stir interest and teach.
Jim Walker was an early pioneer in the 40's who put together one of the most popular dime store gliders ever- the "74 Fighter" It was a teaching tool as much as a fun toy. A balsa glider that had trim instructions printed right on the plane.
Attached here are plans you can print out and make a 28" span "74 Fighter" that flies great. It weighs about 3 oz with its nose weight and a wing loading of 3oz/sqft.
Move the wing for loops or long flights, move the wing for left or right. Learn to balance the model and understand wing and stabilizer incidence.
Then, you can convert the glider to an RC profile model. Start with rudder only, and then add elevator, or try "yank and bank" with aileron and elevator. You could make this into a slope soarer without motor.
The best part is you wont be afraid to learn and let your young ones give it a try. About the worst that will happen is you'll break a prop. You can run this plane into walls, fences, friends and still fly. If you do bust it up, it takes just a few minutes to make a spare part.
You will learn the effects of down and right thrust and how to recover from a stall and fine tuning the trim.
The radio gear is the same as used for the WWl and WWll and Nostaligia planes so you wont be wasting any money.
Bill of Materials:
Dollar Tree
Foamboard, mini glue sticks, popsicle sticks, white glue, tape - $5
Hobby Store
the smallest music wire you can get .0010", hot melt glue gun, Xacto knife
Hobby King
(see section on props, radios, battery, charger) get the 350 mah battery, WWl motor, 3ch rcvr, 8" propellers
You'll need common tools, and a workspace.
If a young kid wants to learn about model flight, and step up to RC the marketplace is bleak these days. The products all seem to be aimed at experts.
In the early days there were lots of kits and plans and articles in popular magazines that would stir interest and teach.
Jim Walker was an early pioneer in the 40's who put together one of the most popular dime store gliders ever- the "74 Fighter" It was a teaching tool as much as a fun toy. A balsa glider that had trim instructions printed right on the plane.
Attached here are plans you can print out and make a 28" span "74 Fighter" that flies great. It weighs about 3 oz with its nose weight and a wing loading of 3oz/sqft.
Move the wing for loops or long flights, move the wing for left or right. Learn to balance the model and understand wing and stabilizer incidence.
Then, you can convert the glider to an RC profile model. Start with rudder only, and then add elevator, or try "yank and bank" with aileron and elevator. You could make this into a slope soarer without motor.
The best part is you wont be afraid to learn and let your young ones give it a try. About the worst that will happen is you'll break a prop. You can run this plane into walls, fences, friends and still fly. If you do bust it up, it takes just a few minutes to make a spare part.
You will learn the effects of down and right thrust and how to recover from a stall and fine tuning the trim.
The radio gear is the same as used for the WWl and WWll and Nostaligia planes so you wont be wasting any money.
Bill of Materials:
Dollar Tree
Foamboard, mini glue sticks, popsicle sticks, white glue, tape - $5
Hobby Store
the smallest music wire you can get .0010", hot melt glue gun, Xacto knife
Hobby King
(see section on props, radios, battery, charger) get the 350 mah battery, WWl motor, 3ch rcvr, 8" propellers
You'll need common tools, and a workspace.
| old_guy_rc_74_fighter.pdf |
