Airfield Models - How-To Articles for Model Builders

December 19, 2021

How-To Articles for Model Aircraft Builders

These are techniques that I have used successfully to achieve the desired result. They certainly aren't the only way and possibly not even the best way. I only claim that these methods are proven to work.

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.

How to Install a Solder Clevis — Describes proper soldering technique.

Align Cabanes on Biplanes and Parasol Aircraft — Why didn't I think of this sooner?

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

Make Cowling Cut-outs — A reliable way to make neat, properly located holes in a cowl.

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 Silk a Model Aircraft Wing — It's simple and beautiful.

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.

Testing compatibility of finishes

If you apply painted finishes then do yourself a favor and make a sturdy frame to test finishing techniques.

The last two photos are testing the compatibility of clear epoxy paint applied over vinyl decals. I found they were not compatible but could work if very light sprayed coats were built up.

Most coverings can be peeled off easily when testing is complete. Sand the frame and it's ready for next time.

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.

Make a Wing Cradle — A super easy, inexpensive and effective way to support a wing and protect it from workbench dings.

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.

Make the Disk Sander Bevel Master — An adjustable fixture to sand consistent bevels using a disk sander.

How to Make a Fenced Drill Table for a Compound Table — An X-Y Table aka Compound Table is an excellent addition to a drill press that become exponentially more useful with a fenced table attached.

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.

How to Build a Sterilite Storage Cabinet — An excellent storage solution when you need a lot of drawers and protection from dust.