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