Beat Summer Boredum---Build Model Planes

Grandpa & His Crew Getting Ready for Flight

Long before the Wright Brothers made their famous flight at Kitty Hawk, people were fascinated by the idea of flying through the air.

                                                                                                                            

Although model airplanes as we know them are a rather recent development, kids through the centuries have used different materials to make and fly their own versions of flying machines.

                                  

As a kid, I bought small model airplanes made of balsa that were simple to construct and that gave us endless pleasure competing with the rest of the kids in the neighborhood to see whose plane flew the highest, the longest, and the straightest. Most of our planes eventually crashed and were rendered useless after a few flights, but that didn’t faze us. As soon as we could scrounge up a few more pennies, we were back at the local dime store, choosing our next model airplane.

                                                                                                                          

These early model airplanes were printed on very thin sheets of balsa and could be punched out easily. Most of them had a slot in the middle where we inserted the wing and our plane was ready to go. Over the years, model flying has become much more complicated, but also much more fun.

                                                       

My husband, a model airplane enthusiast from long before I met him, has probably built a replica of every plane ever made up until about 1965 when he succumbed to another passion; actual flying, which led to him becoming a pilot and eventually purchasing his own plane.

                                                                     

Before this happened, though, he was so engrossed in working on his latest model, that I often had to call him twice or three times for dinner. I can tell you for sure that a person who really gets interested in building model airplanes will never be “bored.”

                                            

If this sounds like a practical solution to the, “I’m bored,” problem in your house this summer,  I’ll be back tomorrow  to offer a few suggestions on how to start.

Getting Kids Started With Model Airplanes

Yesterday I said I would give you some hints about getting started in today's post and here are a couple of very simple, but very important ones.

1. Start small.

To begin with, you need a model airplane that your child can finish in a few days. Don't let him or her talk you into something you know is beyond their ability.

Model airplane kits are like candy. Bigger always looks better, but where too much candy can turn into a tummy ache, too much model airplane can turn into a headache, and both you and your child will end up discouraged. Much better to read the recommended age limits on the outside of the kit and use your head about the skills your particular child has before you purchase his or her first plane.

2. Shop around.

You can get a lot of information online. If you are completely new to model building, read up on it before trying to introduce it to your child. When it comes to actually purchasing a kit, however, a local hobby store is often the best place to buy. Hobby store owners and operators are often full of expert advice and more than willing to share it with you.

If you are working with very small children, you might want to introduce them to building their own model airplanes with a book of paper plane cut-outs, before letting them move on to more difficult projects. If you can't find one locally, try the reasonably priced one available from Amazon by clicking below.

PAPER PLANE CUTOUTS FOR SMALL CHILDREN

MORE IN TOMORROW'S BLOG POST

Help Your Child With His First Model Airplane Building Attempt

My advice today is short and sweet. The temptation to take over when you are working with kids is great, but if you do that, the child may lose interest and feel that it is no longer his project, but yours.

Help your child with his first kit.

You'll notice that I didn't say, "build your child's first kit for him." I said, "help" him with it. Sometimes instructions are not totally clear to a child and you can explain them in plain English. He may not know what "sand until smooth" means. If you feel that you just cannot resist taking over, excuse yourself for an hour or so while you go buy your own kit.

In the next post, we'll touch on actually flying the plane. Remember, this first one was supposed to be small and simple, so it should be ready to take off in a day or two at the most. I'll cross my fingers for good flying weather to come your way.

Make Sure Your Kid's Flying Field Is Safe

This may be jumping the gun a bit, since I haven’t really said nearly all I have to say about building model airplanes, but I just thought it might be a good time to mention that parents need to check out any spot your kids are going to be using for flying their finished models.

A ball park in Staten Island was recently discovered to have soil contaminated by radiation. A group of week-end modelers had been using the field for years, not to mention all the baseball teams in the area, so I thought a word to the wise might be a good idea.

Maybe your area doesn't have a problem that serious, but it is still a good idea to always check the field out carefully to avoid any potential problems for your children.

1. Is the flying area out in the open where neighbors can spot any strangers lurking about?

2. Is the field kept up to make sure there are no hidden holes, used drug paraphernalia, garbage or any kind of toxic substances littering the area?

3. Are there wires, tree limbs or other unsafe obstacles overhead, especially if your kids will be flying u-control models?

Learn everything there is to know your area, and check frequently for any new hazards that may arise.

Make a Big Production of the First Flight

Pick a nearby field, or perhaps the school athletic field when it isn't being used for the first flight of your child's model airplane.

If you have more than one child or a neighbor child that would like to come along, fine. The more the merrier. A picnic lunch is always nice, especially if the plane crashes on takeoff and can't be revived to fly again.

Take a camera and get pictures. (Later, if the new hobby catches on, you may want to start a separate model airplane album and label and date each picture as your young model builder makes progress over the years.)

Most of us have some special memories of our childhood. Often these are linked to positive feedback from our parents, grandparents, or peers for something we accomplished. Your kids are no different.

You need to be prepared with something supportive to say, even if the plane only stays in the air for a few seconds before crashing. You can tell him you liked the lift when it first took off, or the way it headed straight ahead without wavering from side to side. Whatever happens, make the first flight a fun adventure.

You've heard the old saying about getting back on after being thrown by a horse. If the first flight is a disaster, talk about how soon you can get another model into the air.

And, you never know, that first flight might surprise you and be a terriffic success.

Don't Get In a Rush

Rubber band model airplanes may seem kind of tame to a parent who has been flying radio control planes for years, but don't try to introduce RC models too quickly to your kids. Kids can have a lot of fun with rubber band models and small engines, and u-control before jumping into the much more expensive hobby of radio control.

Don't underestimate the learning opportunities provided by working with simple models that help your kids understand the dynamics of flight as they experiment with different types of materials like wood, plastic, styrofoam, and even cardboard.

They will also develop patience as they do things like using fabric to cover a plane and then apply coat after coat of dope with times of waiting for it to dry and then sanding the new surface smooth each time before the next coat is ready to put on.

Give them plently of chances to try different types of propulsion and become proficient in each before moving on. Skills they learn through building model airplanes can transfer into many other areas of their lives as they mature into adults.

Can't Help Lovin' Those Little Gee Bees

 Gee Bee R-1 EP TXR Aircraft

Feeling left out and like the kids are having all the fun? Why not check out this little Gee Bee to build for yourself? Its price isn't out of line for RC planes, and its sporty look and bright red color is definitely guaranteed to attract attention at any meet.

Besides being as cute as a bug's ear, the kit comes with 4 Micro Servos, ESC, Flying Wires, RX, a Brushless Motor, Propeller and more.  It is constructed of Aero Cell foam that is a super tough but lightweight material, and will take a lot of hard knocks and keep right on flying.  To fly, you will need a transmitter with at least 4 channels.


Check it out here,by clicking on the photo, and be ready to launch on the next sunny week-end.