Im curious as to the order that most people build thier models in? I would think that they build the plane first, check it for warps etc.., install the engine, check for balancing etc.., then add servos and electronics. Then check for everything again. Are there any steps im missing?

This is an interesting question. Are you trying to build a plane without instructions?

Normally the instructions will have you build the airframe. Cover it and straighten any minor warps in the process. Then install the gear that has to go in a certain place. Engine, fuel tank, tubing, prop, spinner, landing gear. On a trainer usually everything has a specific place OR you can slide the servo tray forward or back to balance.. If not mark the CG on the wings and place the servos and battery pack temporarily until the plane balances on the CG. Mark those servo locations and build your servo tray so you can install the servos to balance.

1. Shop for plane
2. Build Plane
3. Fly plane
4. Crash plane
5. Fix Plane
6. Fly plane again
7. Destroy plane
8. Shop for nother plane
9. Build plane again.
10. Learn to fly plane this time.
11. Go home happy boy.
12. Wife says, "You like plane more than me!"
13. No more plane!
.

I usually just follow the order provided in the directions. I don't check the balance until I've got everything, radio, etc, installed. The only exception to this might be if I'm building a kit and am using a larger engine than was called for.

Snoops order sounds about right. Hehe No, i will have instructions with my plane. Im just wondering as to how the majority of modellers go about it. I figure if there is a way that everyone is doing it, it must be a "good" way. Well, thank you for the input.

I'm only building my second plane right now. I've been following the instructions with a few exceptions. The instructions for both planes say to install the stabilizer and fin before covering. I am deviating and building them like an ARF. Cover everything, then cut away the covering for the glue joints to install the tail. This was suggested by a club member and seems to work well.

If you build a few kits, you'll find you'll have your own preferences.

Personally, I almost always build the tail surfaces first. Most instructions seem to do that as well. I usually build the wing next, then the fuse.

Like carrellh, I usually cover all the parts first, then assemble them. Rather than cutting away covering on the stabs though, I mark lightly where the glue joints are, and then just don't cover that section.

I actually like to pre-mount the radio gear before covering, especially when it comes to running pushrods. It's easier to make sure nothing is binding and easier to get things in position before covering. Depending on the kinds of pushrods I'm using, I'll usually pull them back out, cover, and reinstall them, knowing that everything will fit easily. (to do the pushrods, I'll dry fit, or tape the stabs, control surfaces, etc in place, make up the pushrods, then take it appart and cover the parts).

Ditto what Kirk said on the pushrods. Also, I usually like to figure out the engine mounting position and then look at the tank position before finishing up the front of the fuselage. As the range of engines is so wide the stock tank position may or may not be where you really need it and the time to fix those things is while building rather than after.

Another small hint is to look at where you expect to have items like receiver and battery. Then while your building, think about how you want to secure these items. Sometimes I drill small holes in formers or glue on extra bits of balsa for rubber band anchor points, etc. Once again much easier to do while building. Also, try and decide a little early where you want things like switches, etc. You can adjust their position for easy access or to try and hide them if its a scale job.

Duke

Best joke ever !!! It's funny because ut's true ...

Or if you like no more wife. [X(]

I"ve been married 47yrs.
Too choose between my birds or my wife is easy.

You figure it out.

Order of building:

I build the wing

My grandson builds the fuselage and tail.

My wife brings us treats,and chats with us.

This puts a lot memories in a bird.

Try building with your loved ones. Everything flys better.

I always build/assemble the wings first and get them working, Don't ask me why, its just what I developed into over the years. Then I start from the back end and move to the front while getting everything working along the way. The engine is always last on my list.

i do it all at once... makes planes fly more interesting!
cover it, build wing, fuse, install engine, tail, install radio!then try to fly!

I install the engine and as much of the radio as possible before I "build" anything. Makes the build go faster and more importantly, everything aligns properly.

I usually start with the wing and then build a fuselage and tail to match.

I build the wing or tail first depending on the manufacturer's suppgestions. You almost always need the wing to finish the fuselage so that's last. Once the wing and tail are built and the fuselage framed up I mount the tail and then the wing. This is important for alignment which you want right for a good flying model. I line the tail up with the fuse, and get the incidence where it should be. Then I epoxy it in place. Next comes the fin which can be set against the stab with a 90 degree triangle. Then I block the body up and work on the wing mounting. The wing needs to be level and the tips need to be equidistant from the stab tips. Once that's good, check the incidence. When all of the alignment's good I install any fairing blocks that might be required around the wing and stabilizer. Once all that's done I mount the engine and radio gear. I building my planes completely in the bones including all radio gear. That way I can move things around to get the balance perfect without added weight. When that's done I take the radio engine wheels, etc off and cover. Then everything goes back in and I check the balance again. It is important to plan all the electronic (radio), mechanical (engine/pushrods) and plumbing (fuel) before the plane is covered so if you need to change anything you can.

I usually build the wings first; I get bored with the repetition of all those ribs and want to get them out of the way. I also build both wings at the same time, so I can build them identically; I'm always reinforcing or changing things a little from the plan, so I want to be able to incorporate the changes the same way on each side. Then I build the tail feathers, then the fuse. I will dry fit all the servos and mount the flight controls to ensure proper fit and function, then remove the servos until the plane is covered.

Green Flyer,
You didn't specify kit or ARF.
I only have experience with ARFs so far.
All of the instructions have you putting tail feathers on early in the process and installing engine and radio later.
I disagree!
I get the internals done first then the externals - leave flexibility for adjusting the CG.
If I didn't do it that way the tail feathers would probably be destroyed in the process of mounting the engine and electronics.
Just my preference.
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