Model Airplanes from Builder's Cast-Offs!

Strange to say but once you have mastered thefew hours more. Acquiring the materials needed for a
basics of building a model airplane and have a fewRC model airplane SPAD project may require no
spare bits lying around your workshop or garage itmore than a trip to the local hardware store and a
becomes very easy to produce your very ownfew phone calls to local sign shops.
design of RC model airplane. Simple Plastic AirplaneAside from these readily available materials, there are
Design (SPAD) is really cheap and fun alternative toa few other items that you will need; self tapping
constructing expensive remote controlled modelsheet metal screws, zip ties, a utility knife and a few
airplanes kits.wood sticks(4mmx27mmx1m Pine lathing/lattice).
The concept of SPAD started in the late 90's andOther items needed to complete your RC model
has evolved into a highly detailed and solid methodairplane, such as wheels, landing gear and control
for building RC model airplanes. While using traditionalarms, will need to be fabricated or purchased from
building materials and techniques can take weeks oryour favorite hobby store.
months to put an airplane together, applying thePlans for building a SPAD RC model airplane are
SPAD concept can reduce the build time down toavailable online, free of charge, from many different
days, or even hours.sources. SpadToTheBone.com, the original home for
SPAD materials are widely available and are lessthe RC model airplane SPAD concept, has plans to
expensive than those used in standard balsa modelsuit just about anyone. From the ever popular trainer
airplane kits. Plans and help for building a SPAD can becalled the Debonair, to the more sophisticated Coro
found online and are completely free. The best partEdge 540 sport/funfly model. A community has been
about flying a SPAD is its survivability when it comesbuilt around the RC model airplane SPAD concept at
to the inevitable crashes as your enthusiasm getsSpadWorld.net where model builders from all over the
away from you!globe help each other learn better and more exciting
The basic RC model airplane SPAD concept revolvesways to make SPADs.
around using inexpensive building materials that canOne of the greatest benefits to building with the RC
be found at local hardware stores and sign shops - ormodel airplane SPAD materials is just how tough they
even picked up for nothing from builders cast-offs.are. Whether you're trying a new aerobatic
While the materials required for constructing a SPADmaneuver and just can't seem to pull out of it, or
vary from one design to another, the basic materialsjust learning to take off for the first time and
used include; PCV downspout pipe for the fuselage,cartwheel your airplane down the runway, the
CoroPlast(corrugated platic) sign material for thechances that your plane will survive are very good.
wings and controls surfaces, HDPE cutting boards forCompared to easily breakable balsa, plastic is a very
firewalls and landing gear blocks, and CA (superglue)forgiving material that can survive higher impact
to hold everything together.speeds without damage - and is easily fixed when
Because of the simplicity involved in putting a SPADbroken.
RC model airplane together, even an inexperiencedEase of construction, low cost and survivability all add
modeler can complete the job in a single weekend. Aup to a package that encourages modellers to
basic fuselage made from PVC downspout can beexperiment with design concepts and methods that
made in a matter of minutes, CoroPlast wings andextend the envelope of their experience and
control surfaces in just a few hours, and all theknowledge. Why not give it a go yourself?
miscellaneous parts to complete the project in just a