I remeber the days of RC when building was very much part of the hobby. It was half the fun! After all, BALSA FLIES BETTER. Anyone remember that slogan?

Have fathers ever considered that their young son would have as much fun building as they would learning to fly? Think about it. You get to spend real quality time with your son and spend time doing something you both really enjoy.

What are the reasons people don't want to build these days, besides time?

-Q.

The instant gratification syndrome!!!

They say that there is no time, but I remember getting home from work, having dinner with the family, then sitting down at the work table until 1 or 2 o'clock in the morning, building; in the days before CA and 5 minute epoxy.

Les

I have built from kits, plans and now I build from scratch.

My favorite planes are those scratchers. They fly as well as anything from a kit plus there is the added bonus of being the only one like it in the world.

In this day and age of ARF's, ARC's ready to flies, etc., etc. it is not unusual to attend a fly-in and see two or more of the exact same model, only the covering is different. Sometimes they're covered just like the picture on the box.

There is nothing wrong with ARF's, et al. They are probably responsible for getting a lot of people interested in this great pass time of ours. To a beginner, some kits may seem daunting and a turn off.

But to scratch build from my own plans is best for me.

Ahh yes. 1am or 2am (sometimes 4 am) sounds very familiar. I'm still doing it with my scratch builds. Check out the "Open" design forum for my latest projects.

I don't use CA and the size of my models demands 30 minute expoxy in high stress areas, otherwise I use 5 minute expoxy for the small stuff.

The smell of balsa always brings back the earliest memories of building a Goldberg Gentle Lady glider kit when I was young. It was one of the best summers I every spent indoors and outdoors.

I'm also a scratch builder. There's nothing like seeing your own design lift off for the first time! I agree that there is nothing wrong with ARF's, but a second plane is a prime candidate for building, and electric is a perfect choice when keeping those accessories to a minimum.

I love to choose such exotic colors are pearl monocote, etc. Some day I'll get around to air-brushing a large scale model.

I have found that most kits today are easier than ever to build since they are laser cut and the parts practicaly serve as their own jig so that wings come out stright and true. Frankly, I can't see why building a kit is daunting these days. You've just got to jump in and try one.

I've done ARFs, kits, and even scratch built a couple, and each has its own rewards. I'll agree that scratch building gives you the chance to do a unique airplane (especially us folks who like "weird" designs), but the kits and ARFs have their places, too. I don't feel nearly as bad when I crash an ARF as I do when one of my scratch built creations bites the dust!

Y'know I don't even think it's the time it takes to build or the difficulty of building... I think it's the mental picture of the time and difficulty.

Mosty people just seem to think it's hard or magical or something to take sheet wood and do WHATEVER for it to become an airplane. There's not much that will convince them otherwise -- and that's a shame because most will never know what they're missing.


BTW, I usually build only in the hour or two before work lately, and I use slow glues almost exclusively. Seem like I have enough time to build planes anyway (though I'd sure like to have a lot more).

I don't like to scratch.... NOT!

I like um small and light, must be the years I spent twisting rubber bands. I think we are a dying breed though as ARFs are getting cheaper and better built it is hard to convince a newcomer to spend the time that it takes to scratch.

Of course there is the "Unique" aspect.

I've posted this before, but here is the bare bones of my latest. 1/8 scale ultralight with working flying wires and a full flying stab... I would think that qualifies as unique!

What about the marathon modeling days, where you get up early, open the box, start glueing, sanding sealing, covering all day on Saturday so you can fly your new plane on Sunday.

When I started modeling, all there was were kits and planes no ARF's. I started with the small free flight Comet, Guillows, Jetco, kits.

I do enjoy building. When you turn a stack of balsa sheets into a FLYING aircraft is as rewarding as doing the flying. I spent over a year building a Chipmonk. It flew very well until another pilot turned his radio on. Where I go camping we fly planes and rockets. I have taken a new ARF that is still in the box with me. After 2 1/2 hours I am doing the take off roll. There is a place for building the planes and there is a place for ARF's.

What gets me is when some one says that I BUILT this plane and it is an ARF.

Dru.

a088008,
I ask myself that same question very frequently. I'm a big fan of scratch building, and kit building. I pretty much only fly things I've built, most of those are scratch built. Typically I'll only get an ARF if its something I really wanted that wasn't available as a kit. (Swiss Trainer from Hobby Lobby, or now I want the Graupner Monsun)

I'm such a fan of scratch building that I'm selling my designs as kits.

Oh, and speaking of scratchbuilding, I'm building two Canadair CL-415s modified to be 215, starting in January. I'm using the plans and fiberglass parts from www.mraerodesign.com

--Paul

Very cool!
I'd love to see the final product.
What motor are you using?

-Q.

I like the site. I found the animations for the DHC-5 "Buffalo" to be quite impressive.

I remember finding a laser cutting company that can cut balsa without the black carbon edges. Does anyone know who they are? Have you delt with them before, or heard of them?

-Q.

I was thinking about the foam ARF kits.
These "low" cost planes are actually a rip-off.

A $60 plane made out of such cheap materials cannot cost nearly that much to manufacturer. They don't even have proper airfoils, etc. Also, a balsa plane can be built almost as light and much stronger. I have a 60" scratch built plane that I designed. I've been testing it lately and it has taken quite a beating, with only very minor repairs. The plane has a big battery and even uses standard sized servos and receiver. It's not exactly a light plane, so you would expect it to crumble at the first crash landing. I'm always prone to slightly overbuild my planes, but this one was especially strong as I expected it to take my abuse as I intended using it to further my aerobatic skill (which has been lacking).

I flew again today and for the first time I had everything setup to my liking. It's been hell trying to find the CG and the right amount of control throws. I can describe flying a badly balanced and big control throw plane is like walking on ice.

What fun it was to finally relax and play a little! I was looping and rolling all over the place. The plane is now performing to it's original design purpose, and I'm looking forward to the next flight. I'm going to start working on my stall turns and knife edges. The sky's the limit.

Very cool!
I'd love to see the final product.
What motor are you using?

-Q.

Q

Thank you for the interest in my project.

She's done and has about 8 flights in. I blew up a copy of a plan from an old Model Builder of a '70s ultralite called the Desert Duster. I kept true to the plan except found that I needed to add a center spar to strengthen the wing.

It came in at 36" wing span and 7oz RTF. I'm using a GWS IPS-2 that swings a 8x4.3 prop. Power comes from a 300-mah NiMh pack. I forgot to add that she also has pull-pull controls to the rudder and FS.

She was a challenge to build and balance (still working on that) but flies great. Take off is straight (into the wind) and climbout is steeper than my Slow Stick. The battery gives 15 minutes on a fresh charge.

Here is a pix of her in flight.

And closer in...

a088008


I have had good results with Lazer Works.

Les

I've been building from kits since 1974, and still do most of the time. A few years ago, I needed a pattern plane in a hurry so I bought an ARF. I probably shouldn't have done that though, because the ARF flew better than almost any plane I built before, and it was probably cheaper too. Well, since then it's been back to stick-built kits. I just wish I could build one that flew as well as that ARF (sigh). You guys are probably better builders than me.

b/r, DFF

I remember seeing this picture in another forum, and was wondering if it was yours. Nice!

-Q.

I must admit that my building skill is still no where near what I'd like it to be, but every plane that I build seems better than the last. You just got to keep at it. I generally use way too much epoxy, but I must admit that my planes need it. I'm a heavy lander. I always find myself running out of runway (or park) and then a wild 90 degree bank is involved (at 20 feet) to bring the plane around for a landing. I did this today (with full flaps) and ended up hitting the field at a negative 10 degree angle.
The plane is 100%, but for some bent landing gear.

Hello guys,

I have been bashing kit's, usually converting G to E is what I am mostly into, but just last week. I'm building my first scratch built airplane. WOW!!! I love the challenge in conversion, but I have found my new passion. Scratch building is another ball game for me, and I am loving it

genovia.

Hey Gen, what are you scratch building?

--Paul

Hello Paul,

Your here too, nice to be flying with you in here as well, as on the other board.

My first one, my new passion. I am getting my hands wet building Dave Blum's Jellybean, I flew my friend's Jellybean, and she can groove. I am also warming up for Dave Robelen's new pattern plane (Dave Robelen is such a nice friend)....

Paul,

I love it so much, that I found myself buying plans, but for now, I'm sticking with the easy one's.