JasonFalls

This is probably the stupidest question you'll ever heard in your life...
Is it possible to build an rc plane using cardboard

oldvet70

My Feedback: (10)

Yes it is possible. Not only is it possible it is done all the time by some people.

KidEpoxy

Jason-
The simple answer: Yes, cardboard can be used

The less simple answer: Yes, but....
While you can use cardboard, how long it will last depends of what you protect it with. You can make a 1 or 2 flight plane with just cardboard, but it will soak up everything, including humidity, and go bad quick. Even ElecrtricPlanes will go bad over time. You can protect it with covering, paint-on sealers, even plain old clear packing tape.... but these add weight and other concerns.

What are you thinking about making?

lukesp

Have a look here

http://home.earthlink.net/~charlesfelton/

Chuck Felton's cardboard models. Both CL and RC .

ptulmer

My Feedback: (5)

Not so dumb a question, huh. But, it's heavy material and still needs to be protected. Not the best choice of building materials. Not the worst, either.

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

That's right, not the worst choice. The WORST choice is COROPLAST, [which is even worse than using .020" sheetmetal]

BMatthews

Jason, if you're looking for cheap and dirty then there's options to cardboard. And that's foam, newspaper and water based polyurethane varnish. Cut and sand the foam to shape, paper mache it with wet newspaper and the water based varnish and let dry. You end up with a surprisingly rugged and light construction method. There's more to it than just this but if you want to try it I'll walk you through building a model with this trick.

But first I gather you need an engine....

gilbertfh

My Feedback: (5)

Now why is using coro bad other than being heavy? I use it all the time but not in 1/2 A. I would venture to say a brick might be at least a little worse than coroplast.

ptulmer

My Feedback: (5)

Gilbert, it's been tried for 1/2a in the past with little success. There is another thread running right now where the fella made one that came in about 12oz with a little effort! http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4820898

Generally, it's hard to beat balsa for 1/2a because it's stiff and strong for it's weight. It's lighter and stiffer than carbon fiber and has a more appropriate level of strength. carbon fiber is just overkill on strength when you get to a usable level of stiffness. If you want a quick build, just eliminate the ribs and go straight to an all-sheet wing.

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

Even the .25-.40 sized coroplast planes that I've seen fly and have tried, suck, compared to planes built from balsa. It's the cheap beer VS good beer argument converted to model aviation.
I take my hat off to Dave McDonald for the original PBF......it is both a terrible flyer and a tremendous amount of fun! It only flies well during 3D mode and it hates to go more than 10 feet straight at any time.

gilbertfh

My Feedback: (5)

You are absolutely right balsa makes a much much much better plane than coro but...
... surprisingly enough my coro plane flies very well at all speeds. If I took time and effort I could fine tune it and make it better but the way it is my buddies and I just use them for combat and having an all around good time with little fear of losing an expensive plane. Crash it and maybe you will have to build a new wing otherwise it is just brushing the dirt off straightening the landing gear.

digital_trucker

I slapped together a STIK-type model using corrugated cardboard for the fuselage and tail. Covered it with Monokote. I used it with an existing balsa wing. Powered by a Cox .074 it flew very well. It crashed due to getting caught in a gravity well (or pilot error, take your pick). Turns out corrugated is VERY crash survivable - it just went all bendy forward of the wing. I glued 4 popsicle sticks inside to straighten it out and away I went - moving the battery pack aft to rebalance it). It flew much like any other Stik you've ever seen, did inverted beautifully [8D]

gilbertfh

My Feedback: (5)

That is very cool I never thought about using cardboard covered in monocote. I truly believe god has it in for 1/2 A

KidEpoxy

so $20 for a whole crudload of Knock-ulam (Doculam KnockOff) to replace the Monokote....
plus the unlimited supply of Cardboard...
$7 surestarts...

that's a lot of 1/2A planes