Airfield Models - How-To Articles for Model Builders

May 09, 2009

How-To Articles for Model Aircraft Builders

As I work on my projects I have been taking photos and writing articles about techniques that I feel will be helpful or interesting to other modelers.

Many of these articles were prompted by questions from visitors to this website. If there is something on the site that you would like more information about or there is something you would like to see then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Construction Techniques

Make a Set of Ribs for a Constant Chord Wing — The easiest way to scratch-build a wing.

Make a Set of Ribs for a Tapered Wing — A quick and very accurate method for an otherwise tedious task.

Make Balsa Skins — Make skins with seams that won't show through the finish.

Make Lattice Wing Skins — Give your models a distinctive look with the very strong and lightweight skin. Offers the best covering support other than being fully sheeted.

Build a Model Aircraft Wing — A 13-part article describing all facets of standard wing construction.

Mount a Wing — A page from the Wing Construction example above.

Join Multi-Panel Aircraft Wings — A 4-part article demonstrating how to join panels without twists and with the proper dihedral.

Build Warren Truss Fuselage Sides — A 4-part article detailing the construction of extremely light and strong fuselage sides.

Build a Model Aircraft Fuselage — A 9-part article describing all facets of standard fuselage construction.

Make Perfect Wing Saddles — No more gaps between the wing and the fuselage.

Make Pushrod Exit Fairings — Add a little style to your models easily.

Make Foam Servo Tape Mounts — A very secure and reliable mount when installed properly.

Make a Fiberglass Cowl — A simple way to make a single fiberglass part.

Install Robart Hinge Points — A 5-part article demonstrating several methods of installing Hinge Points. Article also contains information appropriate to the installation of any type hinge.

Make Film Hinges — Also called Monokote Hinges.

Mount a Pilot Bust — A solid mounting that won't let loose without a force that destroys the plane.

Build a Wooden Landing Gear — Add a "classic" touch to your model with very little effort.

Add Decorative Inlays to Flying Models — Guarantee your plane stands out on the flight line.

Make Your Own Plywood — The only way to have plywood that's actually flat and it can be any material you like.

Repair a Model Aircraft — Tips and Techniques for getting your bird back in the air.

Finishing

Apply Fiberglass Cloth — A 5-part article that shows how it's done.

How to Create Multi-Part Covering for a Non-Sheeted Structure

Make Balsa Wood Dough — An inexpensive, easy to make filler made from balsa dust.

Painting Techniques

The Amazing Scroll Saw Paint Shaker — Yes, I'm not kidding and it works great.
Make Painting Boards — A simple system that holds parts securely for a variety of painting tasks and then can be moved someplace else to dry.
Make Painting Pallets — Simple boards especially suited to hold small parts for painting with a brush or airbrush.
Scale Painting Techniques — A 6-part article detailing how to bring realism to your models through painting effects such as using washes and dry-brushing.
Paint a Scale Pilot bust — It's alive! IT'S ALIVE!! Hahahahah.

Tools You Can Make

Build with Magnets — A 9-part article with detailed drawings you can download. Absolutely the best system for building model aircraft.

Build a Computer Radio Setup Rig — Learn how to use your computer radio with a simple coffee-table size rig.

Make a Razor Hole Saw — An easily made tool used to cut clean holes in soft wood.

Make a Pushrod-Exit Drill-Guide — No more gouging holes through your woodwork.

Make an Edge Truing Fixture — Put a straight edge on your balsa sheeting the easy way.

Make a Fillet Sander — Works a lot better than wrapping sandpaper around stuff.

Make a Blending/Contour Sander — A semi-rigid sander for softening corners and sanding round surfaces such as wing tips and planked fuselages.

Make Perfectly Straight Cuts Using a Scroll Saw — An easier way than trying to guide the work by hand.

Make a Router/Shaper Table for your Dremel Moto Tool — A very worthwhile and time-saving tool.

Make a Good Router/Shaper Table for your Dremel Moto Tool — A much better table than the one above.

Make a Split Fence for a Dremel Router/Shaper Table — An excellent and very versatile fence. Can be scaled for any router table.

Make a Wire Splicing Jig — Solder splices in servo leads without aggravation.

Make Board Edge Clamps — Easy to make clamps that hold boards securely to your bench and don't get in your way.

Make Extra Hands — An economical and easy to make fixture to hold parts for soldering, gluing and painting.

Improved Extra Hands — Improve commercially made extra hands.

Make a Dual Axis, Adjustable Height Vacuum Holder — Vacuum away chips when they're made instead of slinging them all over your shop.

Miscellaneous

How not to Install a Radio in a Model Airplane — A frightening example of what someone thought was acceptable.

Clean a Paintbrush — Take care of your expensive brushes properly and they will always give you good service.

How to Build Strong, Lightweight Shipping Crates — Crates for moving or shipping your models do not need to be armor plated to be strong enough to withstand the journey.