Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

OK I know it's a little early to be worrying about winter storage but a recent picture of how someone else keeps their planes got me thinking about another post I read that said it was better to store your planes nose down -supposedly to keep the bearings lubricated. Don't know if there's a good, better, best and definate no - no, when it comes to how you store your plane(s). I made some brackets to fit the landing gear of each plane I own and store them vertically on my garage wall(s). This way I can put them up in one piece (wings included), and take them down by grabbing the rear of the fuse. I can also charge my batteries while the planes are out of the way, still on the wall. But I'm curious, other than making sure that all the fuel is gone after each flight (the mufflers will drip a little old fuel) should I be concerned about storage this way? Or would it be better to store them horizontally, using the ceiling as some people do? What does the RCU experts think? Here are a few pics of my entire hangar (garage walls) to date. Also says something about my flying progression since getting back into the hobby. IF you're curious, I went from the estarter foamie to the trainer, to the yak and then the escapade. Still enjoy flying each one but the escapade has become my favorite flyer. But thats another thread.

Shaggy

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

Works for me.

But if you want to hang them nose-down, just drill two, 1/2" holes in those boards, stick a 1/2" dowel in each hole with a piece of foam pipe insulation over them. Then hang them by their tails (That's how my planes spend the long Minnesota winters)

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

What works for you? Storing like I do?

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

I store them nose up to keep the back bearing in the engine in the oil.

It does not makea big difference whether its nose up or down or level really. Just personal preference

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

Yup

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

Unfortunately, the back bearing in the engine is basically in the front part of the engine.

If you're going to fly the model sooner than later, it really doesn't matter which way. Back when I had lots of wall space, my models were alternated (and a couple were hung from the ceiling). Was there any difference? any problems? yes....

For models that didn't get flown for long periods of time, the nose down ones would gum the engines. Not badly, but it's worth mentioning. And the ones hung from the ceiling got more dust on 'em. Again, not a biggie.

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

The key is geting them off the ground. Fewer mishaps that way.

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

Sounds like its not how you store them but how long

Thanks

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

Well it made a difference on a Goldberg Anniversary Cub. Storing it nose down allowed the very slight leak in the tank plug to leak a little fuel into the firewall after each flying session and over a long period the firewall simply got so weak that it cratered one day. There was not enough leakage to drip any place but it required a new fire wall. After the rebuild, it was inverted along with another plane that was hanging nose down.

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

Don't store yours like I have... horizontally in a tree...or floating in a pondhttp://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...n/drowning.gif...they don't like that!! :D

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Now thats something to consider. The tank plug leaking over time.

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

CLASSIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

what about the fuel tank. should some fuel be in the tank to keep the fuel lines from dry rot ? I have heard that the heli guys do this

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

I personally have just a few planes, so storing these planes can be a challange at times, I have a airplane?computer room that I store most of my planes, and alot of the bigger ones hang from the celing of my hobby room. Ive got allmost enough room for one more wing rack and one more fuse rack in my airplane room, just got to sneek them in one at a time, just so my wife dont notice!

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

madatme - I don't see any benefit in storing planes with fuel in the tanks. If they'll be stored long enough for the condition of the lines to be a worry, the fuel will be bad when you go to fly and will have to be flushed out. Plus, you're just asking for leaks.

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

I don't have many open walls for hanging planes, so I don't think about drainage towards the nose or tail. I worry about them draining onto the next plane below, haha. Also I hang a few from the ceiling with pullies and ropes to lower them. Big guys are on the ground around my car, which is bad but all I can do. I am running out of space and because of that have slowed my acquisition pace a little, lol. I can hang another couple new winter projects in the garage. Jon
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...s/DSCF0225.jpg

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

Scott and maukaonyx, you guys don't have a hobby, you have the same thing I have......AN ADDICTION!!!!!!!!  (ain't it wonderful) :D<font color="#000000"></font>

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

I noticed the same thing. I have never lived in a state with a non flying season so it wasn't a big deal. I try to store mine like Jon has his. Room for me is a problem so it keeps me from having gtoo many planes.

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

I have also heard the argument that storing planes nose down could cause the fuel pickup line in the tank to deform .. and possibly cause an issue later ...

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

I think over the years those of us who tend to stay in the hobby, addiction, sport tend to use all the storage methods: standing on nose. hanging by the tail, wing racks, fuselage racks, hanging fully assembled (iron rod in the pics is great for this) or simply sitting on a bed in a spare bedroom.

Nose up, nose down was never a consideration for me and I don,t seem to be any worse for wear having used both methods.

In my dungeon (shop) the airplanes handown in multiple levels to my head height sitting in my chair. (one of the photos showing a flying bud illustrates this). In the shop am I an airplane hoarder? Oh yes but unlike those hoarders on tv in my home I keep things very simple and sparten

The Hobby, Addiction, Sport and the ability to share it keeps me happy and alive.

John;)

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

John,


You have a museum of a nice collection :D

Bob

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

I have had that happen.

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I would agree, but SHHH! dont let my wife hear that, Ive got her fooled to think most of its normal.

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Wow.....Your shop is better stocked than 2 of the 3 LHS in my town! That's awesome. Well organized and neat also...

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Thanks Bob, Ya know actually the top three shelves of that middle unit about fifteen foot long I did turn into the Museum Shelves. Some stuff I have had going back to the fifties but then agine a lot more that seems to have arrived somewhere along the way.

I just enjoy staring at the stuff I guess and so do a lot of the fellows, now if I could just figure out how to keep them from banging their heads on my airplanes:D

John

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

These hangers are bent up very easily by hand from 1/4 inch soft iron rod which is very cheap at around three bucks (the last time I checked anyway) for twenty foot lengths.

They are ideal for hanging airplanes that you wish to keep assembled and they work well with the airplane upside down or upright.

John

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

just wondering because the fill hose from my pump has a color change to it and a heli I had the hose had dry rot and crumbled like a cracker, some of our models can be a real pain to replace fuel lines

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Run the engine dry then flood with Corrosion X. Hang them anyway you can. Corrosion X is great stuff.

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

I hang mine from the ceiling.
I've had so many that I had to stack them with wings between each other.

Some real little ones, I hang on the wall from their tail wheels.
I don't use a rubber type stopper to hold fuel... electrics!

I use Gramma's curio cabinet to display my radios. It keeps the dust off 'em.

I use the spare bedroom as my stockroom. Big kits, covering materials, boxes of wheels and canopies... stacks of balsa sheet and plywood, and other items like my flight box, charging equipment, and spare LiPos that I don't want coated with balsa dust go in there also.

I use the other spare bedroom as my paint booth.

There're huge advantages to not re-marrying; I learned my lesson!

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

For my smaller electric planes i make hangars similar to these out of wire coat hangers and slide a piece of fuel tubing over the ends for some added protection, then hang them nose down.

Most of the gas/glow i try to storage horizontally but i don't think it makes a big difference, horizontal, nose up or nose down.

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John, your oganizational skills are to be admired! Next time I get to thinking that I have too many in the hanger I'm going to re-read this thread, great idea on the hangers also.:)

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Here is half of my hangar. The other half didnt fit the picture but its the same. Not that I store them too long, since we fly year long here.
But they are safe in between flies and out of reach of my wi...oops children

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

HERE IS MY STORAGE

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

John, I would have a hard time not hitting those hanging planes with other planes, my hands, my head, etc, but I would get used to it. While it looks crowded, yours is the most fun kind of RC plane man cave because there is so much to look at and have fun with!! It's like a good hobby shop...PACKED TO THE GILLS WITH STUFF. Hey, I like the old Cox and KB fuel cans on the shelves. Keep up the addiction. Jon

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

Shaggy,

Another method for storing models is to use a product called 'Slatwall' (aka Display Wall), which is very adaptable and great for hanging multiple models in a confined space.

Slatwall is typically made from MDF, is available in a variety of colors and is relatively inexpensive; likely due to its widespread use in department stores the world over. Average cost between $35-$60/ 4'x8' sheet.

Further, the 'hardware' e.g. bookshelf brackets, hooks and literature brackets available for Slatwall is extensive and also relatively inexpensive. I use the bookshelf brackets and hang the model by its main gear; 'nose up'- see photos.

You can do an online search and usually find a distributor in your area, who sells Slatwall and or the matching hardware.

For larger heavier models I use 3/4" black pipe, which is anchored to the ceiling and runs down to the floor, which transmits most of the load to the floor. The arms of the black pipe swivel to accommodate each model.

I have a small shop measuring 8' x 26', which I have lined with Slatwall. It's amazing how much 'stuff' you can get in a confined area while maintaining optimum organization; I hate a messy shop!

Hope this helps, :D
Joe

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

I like to store them level but have no room, I always drain the fuel. After a winter (or few) the alcohol evaporates and the oil gums up needle valves, bearings and drips on the floor if there is any fuel left at all and nose down. If it is nose up it plugs up the clunk but the bearings are dry and can rust if you don't keep up on it. The tubing has to be replaced as well as the stoppper occasionally no matter what. I think it is better empty though. I use the hooks like the other picture Isaw with coat hanger wire. (tubing over would be better) I heard electrics nose down and nitro nose up.See if Icando some pictures.

RE: Airplane Storage Method Pros and Cons
 

I don't have very big planes, but am going to have to go bigger now because it is windier where I live now. I keep those under tables and in the machine shop part out in the shed, and bring them in when I work on them. Now if Icould only get some workbench space.