qwijybo

Hello,

I am new to the hobby but my one problem these days is getting my plane to the field in my small car. It fits ok if I fold down the back seat but my probelm is this. How can I protect the plane from damage while I drive out there? I have already torn a couple small hole in the covering of the wing on different trips. Are there any products that I can use to protect the wing and plane or are there some home brew solutions to help out? My plane is a Kadet LT-40 and the car is a 98 Cavalier.

ChuckW

My planes generally get more damage in storage and transport than when actually flying. You can try wrapping the wing and/ or fuselage in a blanket or something for protection. Another thing that is important is to keep the plane and other objects near it from moving and causing damage. Try some bungee cords, velcro, sand bag weights or whatever works to keep stuff from moving around and hitting other parts.

airbusdrvr

This was my solution. Bought it when it was nearly five years old with just 30,000 miles. [sm=shades_smile.gif]

ro347

My Feedback: (13)

Keep sharp objects way from plane. Make your own wing bags using reflectix and duck tape. Its practically the same stuff they sell you as a pre-made wing bag...sold at Lowes.

red head

Pay better attention to how you pack it. I've packed 6 medium to large planes in my van and never scratched a thing. I hauled 5 to 10 planes in a 5th wheel for years and had very little damage. It's all in the way you stack them. ENJOY !!! RED

MikeL

My Feedback: (3)

Fabric covered bungee cords can help secure things like wings. It's mostly just a matter of being careful.

Lnewqban

Seat belts are also helpful.

So are big towels that protect the seats from fuel leaks while wrap the propeller.

jamesc43

My Feedback: (2)

I bought children's sleeping bags from Goodwill. They only cost around 6 or 7 dollars each. I made them into
wing bags. I secure them with bungee cords. I guess you could use them to wrap the fuselage also. I've tried
it once. It worked ok.

I also read somewhere that you can use rolls of tape as a means to secure your planes from rolling around your
vehicle. I think the biggest issue is how big a plane and how small a car.

guille2006

I trasport my pattern ship on the Ford Ka's roof. WIngs inside the car with the all other tooling and just the fuse-tail assy well tied up there... And goes well!!!!

SeamusG

A friend put me on to his "prop cover"made from small pipe insullation. Keeps the prop from being an offensive weapon to wings. See pics. The hole cut in the middle is for the spinner / hub.

How's about loading up a couple of old socks lined with zip locks filled with gravel or kitty liter? These can be draped over the wheels of the plane to keep it from rolling in transit.

By all means use a wing bag or drape some old towels over the wings. Mine have never been "holed"but the covering has been abraded by rubbing against hard stuff while in transit.

Wad up some paper towel and stick in the muffler's exit to keep the fuel from dripping out. If the plane is transported inverted, cover the carb opening - 2-stroke engines use the crankcase as the intake manifold so there is fuel just waiting to drip out.

Charlie P.

I keep two wool "yard sale" army blankets in the car for the wings. I put the fuselages in cradles so they don't roll around.

PS - you can fit a Great Planes Ultimate (27%) and a Contender 60 in a VW Jetta Sport Wagon at the same time . . . just.

bryris

I carry mine in a 2000 Nissan Sentra - I have an LT-40 too. I will lower the back seat and stick the fuse in the trunk with the forward fuse resting on the back seat area. I have a couple planks of wood that fit well to block it from moving. I recline the passenger seat and lay the 6 foot wing on the floor board and onto the reclined seat.

The only problem with this is that I cannot carry a passenger. If my wife wants to go (not too often) or a friend - they must drive separately.

I have a Jeep Wrangler too, but haven't figured out a way to fit anything in there. Maybe my .25 Cub will fit when I finish it, but the LT-40? No way.

G.Barber

My Feedback: (1)

Mini-vans are a nice way to go. I use my wife's for longer distance hauling. I drive about 5 miles to our field, so my pickup usually takes care of my transportation needs. One time, I even left the wings attached on my 1/4 scale Super Cub, and about a foot stuck out on either side of the truck! Since it is an extended cab, I can fit my field box, transmitters, and toolbox in the back seat, and still have room for two passengers.

That being said, another way to prevent damage is to make a travel stand out of 3/4" or 1" PVC pipe, covered with pipe insulation. Tese work well, and if you put a handle on them even work great for hanging in the garage/ basement!

dignlivn

I used my wifes pt cruiser till I got my
Aircraft Carrier,bought used. 2 years old.

Bob

ArcticCatRider

My Feedback: (6)

This is exactly what I did.

I've got an SUV...so there's plenty of room, but building the "rack" helped my planes from banging around. The roads I have to drive are crappy....full of potholes. There are tons of jagoff drivers...cutting you off, pulling out in front of you...making it necessary to slam on the brakes, swerve, etc.

So I built this rack....it hangs from the handles near the ceiling. Rubberbands secure everything in it's place in the rack. I could proabably roll the vehicle over and still not damage any of my stuff.

rc airplane nut

My Feedback: (5)

I put an ear plug in the exhaust to keep it from dripping. Just remember to take it out before you try to start the engine.

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

I stuff a 70" airplane through my passenger door in my 2dr Civic coupe. I tie a rope from the seat latch around the landing gear to keep it from rolling around, and just lay my wing next to the plane. With my Yak (same size) I have wing bags for the 2pc wing. Blanket/towel works well, but if you're careful you can get away without it.