Building A

Steps In Building A Stick Built Airplane Model Plane

Why Planes
Fly
Aviation
The instructions and photos below depict the process of building a typical stick-built model airplane. The Terms
plane shown being built is the Cadet from Guillow's Build and Fly series, but the basic steps and processes Back To
are the same for any similiar plane. Be sure to put wax paper on the plans before building, as it eases the Library
removal of the plane sections after the glue has dried. An added benefit is the fact that the plans can be
used to build more planes with the purchase of more balsa strips and sheets. Model airplane construction is Model
easy, if you follow the steps below. Airplane
Products

01 tools.jpg
03 wax paper.jpg
Step 1 02 pin plans.jpg
Step 3
Lay out the tools and Step 2 04 mark sticks.jpg
Lay wax paper over
parts for the plane. Pin the plans to the Step 4
the plans and pin
Check to see that all building board on all Using the plan as a
down. The wax paper
parts are there . Read four corners, and put guide, measure and cut
will enable you to
over instruction to make two in the middle to help the balsa strips.
easily remove glued
sure you understand the hold down.
parts from the plans.
steps

06 build structure.jpg 07 conrtinue building.jpg 08 apply glue.jpg

05 pin sticks.jpg Step 6 Step 7 Step 8
Step 5 Pin the framework of Continue pinning the After checking your work
Pin the balsa strips to the first wing together. other wings, rudder, to make sure it is
the plan using an 'X' Apply no glue at this stabilizer and other assembled correctly,
pattern. Don't put the pin point. Just pin the strips parts together on the apply a liberal amount of
directly through the balsa together, and get plan in the steps glue to each joint. Allow
strip. comfortable with the indicated by the the glue to dry thoughly
construction instructions before proceding.

09 tissue glue.jpg
Step 9
10 tissue applied.jpg 12 installed wings.jpg
After lightly sanding the 11 cut tissue.jpg
Step 12
Step 10
wooden frame, apply a Step 11 Assemble the framework
Apply the tissue
glue mix of 50% white Cut the tissue with a as per the instructions.
carefully over the balsa
glue and 50% water. sharp hobby knife. Each plane you build will
framework. Paint the
Paint the glue on the Lightly sand the require a slightly
glue on the outside of
surface of the balsa edges of the different assembly
the tissue, 'painting' it to
frame work with a paint framework at the procedure, so read the
the framework. Allow
brush. conclusion of this step. instructions carefully.
this to dry thoroughly.

14 rubber band.jpg
13 propellor.jpg Step 14
Step 13 Install the rubber motor by tying off on the hook at the rear of the
Install the propeller, if you are plane. After adjusting the center of gravity, the plane is now ready
building a rubber band to fly. The instructions of the airplane should give thorough
powered plane. instructions for this step.
Have Fun!