Hello,

I scratched built a Monterey last year from a plan I ordered in RCM. It also included a photocopy of the article that included a bried instruction
. $8 USD + $5 Shiiping
Then once I received the plans I went to a Professional coping place where they scan in the whole 35x55 inch sheet and print it out in 1 to 1 scale. I made 3 copies....$3ea.
One copy to lay on the table, and the two copies I used to cut up and use as template.

Now, I get some Computer paper or ideally tracing paper and tape together. Now draw, 3"x36" or 48" rectangles. Now place the tracing paper over the plans and trace and fit te ribs or whatever parts of the same thickness (ie. 1/8" etc) into the rectangle. Make sure you got all parts drawn it and label the rectangle ofthe dimensions. Draw several more rectangles for the different thicknesses and if you need more space. This way will give you a good idea of how many sheets of balsa you need. Just as a precaution, buy like 1 or 2 extra sheets just in case of future MISTAKE cutting or over sanding parts.
I think someone mentioned this earlier here, sorry for the repeat.

Also, when you are organizing the different sized rectangles you require, also take in consideration, the GRADE of balsa. There are 3 grades, and each has its specific characteristic. One is typically used where flatness and stiffness is ideal, the other where you want to bend or curve...like for rounded fuselages, and the third one...I forgot.
Here is a link of this more, and how to know which grade is what. Also, take in consideration of the density of the balsa as well...also noted in the link.
http://www.plasma.kth.se/~olsson/balsa.html
This will help to select balsa from the LHS inventory.

For my Monterey Sailplane (similar to a Windfree) with a wingspan of 100inch, the cost for the wood for me was about $30-35.

Ok, now total cost so far is $60.

Additional stuff you need is glue, monokote, radio stuff are extra, but its also extra for kits as well.


Method of transfering template to wood. Since the Monterey, every single rib is a different size, so what I done was to cut the ribs from the plans copy leaving about 1mm from th outline edges, and using "Rubber cement" I pasted it onto the balsa sheet. Then with a hobby knite of a saw or sander I trimmed it down to size. Then you just peal it off and rub your fingers on the balsa to rub off the rubber