I'm interested in all aspects of the r/c aircraft hobby, but I've never scratch-built any scale airplanes before. So, for now, I was wondering, how do you create plans for a paticular airplane? Simply, how do you find dimensions and proportions for airplanes? Where do kit manufacturers (or anybody for that matter) find this information? Will the airfoils of the full-size planes work on a moderately-sized model? Also, how do you find dimensions for details of the full-size plane, like landing gears and panel lines?

My plans are to scratch-build an A-4 Skyhawk ducted fan model from my own plans. This is gonna be a challenging project that I hope to start working at in a year or two. So any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Dan

The easiest thing to do , is buy a pre-drawn set form one of teh big guys: Plamer, Ziroli, etc..

Ikes, a jet.. You might be biting off a bit more than you can chew. Typical jets (for teh most part) are easier in fiberglass than with just wood. makeing a mold and fiberglassing is fairly straight forward..

The first thing to do, is get a '3-vew' and a photo paak of teh aircraft of interest. you can start teh dwgs from there. And of course, research! research! research!

Trick #2, buy a 1:48 scale model kit of the plane in question, build it, then cut it up to get teh various shaped and sections. then photocopy these, and scale them up to the desired scale. Fudge as needed.

Remeber though, a scaled down plane will not perform the same as the full scale counter part. the scale version will most likely be overpowered, and not have control surfaces large enough, not to mention relatively high wing loading.

Good luck!

Consider buying Dave Platts' videos---"Scratch This!" It's a three volume set that covers all aspects of creating your own plans for any airplane for which you have 3 views. www.daveplattmodels.com/. Regards.

I agree with rcalfred. The Platt tapes will teach you just about everything you need to know about designing a model airplane. I have just about all of the tape sets and watch them while I work in my shop. All kinds of great tips keep showing up just when I need them.
Hans