Airfield Models - Information Source

Radio Control Model Aircraft Design

December 19, 2021



Home
About
What's New
History
Models Gallery
Model Building Safety
Articles
Mail & FAQ
Site Map
Site Feedback
Contact
Add to Favorites
Comments
Search Airfield Models

Back to Information Source

 

Designing Radio Control Model Aircraft

It is probably safe to say that everyone involved in this hobby has dreamt of some really cool model airplane designs.  I've had ideas for glow engine powered FrisbeesTM, a canard sort of thing with a sleek migrating bird shaped fuselage and an inverted gull wing having twin ducted fans in pods slung underneath, a Bücker Triplane and a lot of things I can't remember.

The Frisbee thing may not work out but I once tried bolting a Cox .049 to the center of one.  It was a resounding failure that revolved slowly all the way to the ground.  The rest of the designs could be made to fly but I may never build them.

Most of my designs that I've built have flown.  My early attempts were not stellar examples of anything other than what can be produced by a fledgling modeler with flawed design ideas.  Nevertheless, I've always found designing model aircraft to be enjoyable.  I have no interest in advanced aerodynamics so I do what many others do live by rules of thumb, learn from experience and apply the laws of aerodynamics that I do know and understand.

If any of my designs were ever subjected to wind-tunnel testing I would probably not be pleased by the results.  I'm sure my designs have aerodynamic flaws that I don't know about.  But that's why I don't care.  I've learned a lot over the years and I'm very pleased with how my models fly for the most part.

Regardless of my lack of expert aerodynamic knowledge, I design most of my own R/C aircraft simply for the reason that it's fun and I can do anything I want.  I began designing my own models because I had wood lying around that needed something done with it and I figured I'd try my hand at it.

I continued to design models because at the time kits weren't all that great.  Most of them were poorly die-cut and often the wood was warped, too heavy or had other defects.  Now I design because I enjoy it and to have models that are unique and are purpose-designed to do what they do better than anything commercially available.

Delta Dart

It is not my intention to encourage everyone to design model airplanes.  I simply want to pass along what I know for those who want to try it.  These articles may help you learn how various design parameters affect a model even if you have no interest in designing your own.

This series will cover is a variety of model aircraft design topics while leaving you to put it all together and do the critical thinking necessary to package it into your own successful design.

In this series

General Purpose Drafting SetThe Process

Particulars

 
 

Previous —
Next —

Formulas Used with Flying Model Aircraft
Supplies for the Model-Building Shop

Comments about this article

 
 

Back to Information Source
Airfield Models Home

 
 

Copyright © 2003 Paul K. Johnson