Got to thinking after seeing many build logs, and threads about the quality of components and costs, would be be possible to build something made entirely of US made parts and components.

I know there are plenty of fantastic US based suppliers and resellers etc, but i'm talking the body, components, and motor/engine.

I guess a plane could be build from plans with US sourced based balsa. I'm sure there are nitro/gas powered engines, I know if one manf in the northeast for that. probably easier to do this with gas/nitro motor rather than electric given the motor/speed control.

If it could be done, any idea what the cost would be?

Not looking for any bashing of any company/vendor/product. Thanks.

Are you thinking of including glue, covering, servo's etc etc in the US made-ie every component US made?

Do they grow balsa in the US?

Good question, ya, lets go with everything to start with, and if it's not possible because of glue or pins, small stuff, that can get tossed.

Have no idea where balsa comes from....the great redbalsawood?

Off to get the answer for that.

Well...my initial question may be moot...

http://www.mat.uc.pt/~pedro/ncientif...s/techbal.html

So I'll modify and say wood or formed fuzes of any type of material.

Some composite gliders are made in USA, esp Hand Launch.
Again, small hardware and electronics are almost 100% foreign made.

You could if you went all composite with a Fox engine and some Kraft or Orbit radio components...

You'd have to source the hardware carefully, a lot of socket head caps screws are still USA made.

All the components of the glue, fiberglass cloth, etc, probably will not be manufactured in the USA, even if the final product is produced here.

I really doubt that a 100% USA manufactured model can be produced.

Beacon FoamTac, and Model Airplane Foam. I believe both are made here in the good-old-USA. That would at least get you the airframe. The electronics would probably be the hardest to source.

And don't forget Jett & Nelson engines are all USA produced.

XPS receivers and transmitter RF modules are made in the US except for some molded plastic shells for plugin transmitter RF modules.

o/k, getting some good information here. i've been putting off doing a build of a plane for years now, but maybe this is as good a time as any to jump in feet first. Oh, and go with a wet motor too I guess. It might be impossible to get everything on there that's USA raw material sourced, and produced/built, but what the heck, we'll see if I can get as close as possible.

Keep the ideas coming guys, I appreciate the suggestions and comments and will be following up on all of this.

Servos might be the sticky wicket...any ideas on US brands?

It could be done building a U-Control airplane easily.But that's a different story I presume.

Make your own servo's

I think the first thing you have to do is get real, because first of all balsa comes from South America, most all electronics come from anywhere but USA and hardware???????? go to a hardware store and see if you can find anything made in the USA. What is this a joke >

This would make a good LTUP thread.It's all Chinese.
Stuart