hi all,

i'm learning to fly a couple of rtf foamies, and would like to build my own this winter to keep busy.

any suggestions for a newbie?

i have seen the dollar tree foam, and will need plane ideas, techniques, and sources for everything, including the innards.

tia!

In scratch building , as well as in flying RC airplanes .... I recommend starting with simple and easy , learn to walk before you learn to run .

The simplest/easiest scratch build I know of ( suitable for a beginner ) is the Super Easy ( SE ) . The SE looks like a big paper airplane and protects your motor/prop if crashed nose first . It can be built in an hour or two without downloading/printing plans . Here is my SE , flown by my son in this video :

Super Easy RC airplane (1 min 25 sec)

The second simplest/easiest I know of is the NutBall , which can also be built without downloading/printing plans . Here is my NutBall :

26" Nutball RC plane (1 min 49 sec)

The third simplest/easiest I know of is the Smart Dart XS , which can also be built without downloading/printing plans . Here is my Smart Dart XS :

40" RC Dart (1 min 31 sec)

If you would like to build one of those planes , let me know which one and I can recommend electronics etc .

You are in the correct forum for all your requested info.

Folks here have all the answers that you will need.

As for my portion of the answer ...
I've been here since 2005 offering a CNC cutting service for various designs.

15 years later, Most similar services have thrown in the towel.

I CNC cut JUST THE FOAM parts from Model Plane Foam for numerous designs.
From trainers to whimsical Flying guys to witches on a broom.

Each design has a unique "Thread" here on this forum where everyone who has built
one offers their experiences and advice to those who follow .

Ultimately it will be your choice but there will always be someone here on RCG who will
be willing to advise and assist with your effort.

While you are researching may I offer my services here ...
https://www.hoosiercutoutservice.com/

Best

Regards,

Bob @ Hoosier Cutout Service

Originally Posted by balsa or carbon

In scratch building , as well as in flying RC airplanes .... I recommend starting with simple and easy , learn to walk before you learn to run .

The simplest/easiest scratch build I know of ( suitable for a beginner ) is the Super Easy ( SE ) . The SE looks like a big paper airplane and protects your motor/prop if crashed nose first . It can be built in an hour or two without downloading/printing plans . Here is my SE , flown by my son in this video :




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWxKuAO7UX8




The second simplest/easiest I know of is the NutBall , which can also be built without downloading/printing plans . Here is my NutBall :




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTz8SIpME4Q





The third simplest/easiest I know of is the Smart XS , which can also be built without downloading/printing plans . Here is my Smart Dart XS :





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsKSgPSPJGM




If you would like to build one of those planes , let me know which one and I can recommend electronics etc .

thanks, i like all three! might as well start with the easiest, and for a few hours time, i won't have to wait for this winter.
are any of the parts interchangeable, or will i have to invest in motors/receivers/batteries etc. for each?

Originally Posted by birdofplay

You are in the correct forum for all your requested info.

Folks here have all the answers that you will need.

As for my portion of the answer ...
I've been here since 2005 offering a CNC cutting service for various designs.

15 years later, Most similar services have thrown in the towel.

I CNC cut JUST THE FOAM parts from Model Plane Foam for numerous designs.
From trainers to whimsical Flying guys to witches on a broom.

Each design has a unique "Thread" here on this forum where everyone who has built
one offers their experiences and advice to those who follow .

Ultimately it will be your choice but there will always be someone here on RCG who will
be willing to advise and assist with your effort.

While you are researching may I offer my services here ...
https://www.hoosiercutoutservice.com/

Best

Regards,

Bob @ Hoosier Cutout Service

thank you bob, good to know! i will keep your service in mind for the future.

If you propose building a foamie over this winter, it may be worth considering something fairly complex.

Some foamies can be built in just a few days, even hours.

See if you can find a model that requires a fairly built up fuselage, and full airfoil wing, perhaps some nice curves, something that will stretch what you feel your ability currently is.

The build will last longer and hopefully you will get greater satisfaction from the finished model. Even if you don't end up flying it, scratch building is a great way to learn and stretch your interest.

I have been scratch building models since starting in model building back in the 50's, first control line models, then free flight, single channel, and then multi-channel.

Once you're hooked, you're hooked

Ray.

Originally Posted by eflightray

If you propose building a foamie over this winter, it may be worth considering something fairly complex.

Some foamies can be built in just a few days, even hours.

See if you can find a model that requires a fairly built up fuselage, and full airfoil wing, perhaps some nice curves, something that will stretch what you feel your ability currently is.

The build will last longer and hopefully you will get greater satisfaction from the finished model. Even if you don't end up flying it, scratch building is a great way to learn and stretch your interest.

I have been scratch building models since starting in model building back in the 50's, first control line models, then free flight, single channel, and then multi-channel.

Once you're hooked, you're hooked

Ray.

thanks!

i have never built a foam plane, so there will be a serious learning curve. we'll see how it goes this fall, and if i am enjoying it and feel capable, i will advance to something more complex as my skills grow.

foam on order from dollar tree, expected arrival 09/14!

any recommendations on glue gun and cutting mat?

Originally Posted by bisco

thanks, i like all three! might as well start with the easiest, and for a few hours time, i won't have to wait for this winter.
are any of the parts interchangeable, or will i have to invest in motors/receivers/batteries etc. for each?

I'll show you electronics that will work for any park flyer sized airplane with a total flying weight up to about 400 grams . Then in the future if you want to build larger/heavier planes , I can show you electronics for airplanes with a total flying weight of about 1000 grams .

Do you have a full range transmitter ? If not , I'll include that in the list of components . Here is the list , all from one online store for convenience .

Transmitter : http://www.valuehobby.com/radio-syst...ky-fs-t4b.html this is a very basic full range transmitter , if in the future you want to upgrade .... I can show you some transmitters that will work with the same receiver protocol .

Motor : http://www.valuehobby.com/power-syst...0kv-motor.html

ESC ( Electronic Speed Control ) : http://www.valuehobby.com/power-syst...alker-12a.html

Servos ( at least two ) : http://www.valuehobby.com/radio-syst...cro-servo.html

Propellers : http://www.valuehobby.com/accessorie...ive-10pcs.html and http://www.valuehobby.com/accessorie...low-flyer.html

Battery : http://www.valuehobby.com/power-syst...0mah-3s-t.html get as many as you can afford for multiple flights .

Connector for ESC to battery : http://www.valuehobby.com/power-syst...male-5pcs.html will require soldering and heat-shrink insulation . VERY important to have correct polarity : wires red-to-red and black-to-black .

Connectors for ESC to motor : http://www.valuehobby.com/power-syst...r-10-sets.html also requires soldering and heat-shrink insulation .

Battery charger : http://www.valuehobby.com/power-syst...er-supply.html there are less expensive chargers available elsewhere .

Connectors for pushrods : http://www.valuehobby.com/accessorie...connector.html




In the photos below are the instructions for building a Super Easy .





Here is a video showing how the controls should work on your Super Easy :

Super Easy control functions (0 min 39 sec)

Originally Posted by bisco

foam on order from dollar tree, expected arrival 09/14!

any recommendations on glue gun and cutting mat?

Walmart has inexpensive cutting mats and low temp glue guns in the crafts department , can be ordered online and shipped .


https://www.walmart.com/ip/24-x-36-G...g-Mat/39752313

https://www.walmart.com/ip/AdTech-Mi...Pack/147699873

https://www.walmart.com/ip/AdTech-Cr...ticks/17404370

thank you for all that, i will research tonight!

i do not have tx yet, even reading the 'how to select your first tx' thread didn't really help.

Originally Posted by bisco

thank you for all that, i will research tonight!

i do not have tx yet, even reading the 'how to select your first tx' thread didn't really help.

In my opinion , these are the things to consider for choosing a TX :

Do you believe you will stay in the hobby and will eventually have multiple airplanes ?
Will you have planes with retractable landing gear , navigation lights , bomb bay doors , etc. ?
Do you need mixes , dual/triple rates , expo , etc. ?
Do you have a tolerance for a steep programming learning curve ?

If yes to the above , get a 8+ channel programmable computer transmitter . If no , get a simple full range TX like the one I listed from Value Hobby . The very simple radios are available in up to 6 channels ( that I know of ) . Here is a 6 channel simple TX :
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-...en_us_products

P.S. you can fly multiple planes with a simple TX , but it won't retain the settings for each plane in its memory like a computer TX will .

Originally Posted by balsa or carbon

In my opinion , these are the things to consider for choosing a TX :

Do you believe you will stay in the hobby and will eventually have multiple airplanes ?
Will you have planes with retractable landing gear , navigation lights , bomb bay doors , etc. ?
Do you need mixes , dual/triple rates , expo , etc. ?
Do you have a tolerance for a steep programming learning curve ?

If yes to the above , get a 8+ channel programmable computer transmitter . If no , get a simple full range TX like the one I listed from Value Hobby . The very simple radios are available in up to 6 channels ( that I know of ) . Here is a 6 channel simple TX :
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-...en_us_products

1) yes

2) no

3) i don't even know what they are

4) i doubt it

5) i expect that i will enjoy building and flying foamies, maybe a balsa kit again, slowly learning about electronics, and maxing out with a nice plane that can handle the wind. maybe some bnf's like eflight.
if it goes beyond that, i'm not adverse to investing in a better tx at that time. the idea of buying a highly flexible transmitter right now, with all kinds of options is just beyond me

6) multiple planes in memory, rechargeable batteries, low battery warnings, those sound good to me

7) no more rtf's, i don't need anymore cheap transmitters

Originally Posted by bisco

1) yes

2) no

3) i don't even know what they are

4) i doubt it

5) i expect that i will enjoy building and flying foamies, maybe a balsa kit again, slowly learning about electronics, and maxing out with a nice plane that can handle the wind. maybe some bnf's like eflight.
if it goes beyond that, i'm not adverse to investing in a better tx at that time. the idea of buying a highly flexible transmitter right now, with all kinds of options is just beyond me

6) multiple planes in memory, rechargeable batteries, low battery warnings, those sound good to me

7) no more rtf's, i don't need anymore cheap transmitters

If you plan on getting BNF planes ( Eflite , Hobbyzone , Parkzone , etc ) from Horizon Hobby , then you need a Spektrum transmitter . The newest have Smart technology that warn you when the airplane battery gets low . And to have multiple model memory , it needs to be a programable computer transmitter . The least expensive Spektrum computer transmitter is the DX6e :
https://www.horizonhobby.com/product.../SPMR6655.html The Spektrum computer transmitters have a mild learning curve .
The least expensive Spektrum non-computer transmitter is the DXS , which is programable if you connect it to a PC or mobile device that has the app downloaded . I had a DXS ( 1st gen DXe ) , and I could only get the programming to work with a PC ( USB cable ) .... I could not get the programming to work with a mobile device ( audio cable or BlueTooth ) . I ended up giving the DXS to my nephew .
https://www.horizonhobby.com/product.../SPMR1010.html

Almost everything is capable of using rechargeable batteries . You can get onboard low voltage alarms , but I prefer to use a timer to warn me when it's time to end a flight . Some transmitters have a built in timer , or you can use the timer on your smart phone ..... if you carry it with you all the time .
http://www.valuehobby.com/power-syst...age-alarm.html