How-tos

From assembly secrets to repair tricks


DIY Vacuum-Forming Machine

DIY Vacuum-Forming Machine

You know all those models you wanted to build, but did not attempt because they required a vacuum formed canopy? You remember reading about all manner of complicated vacuum formers that took a month to build and cost as much as a seven channel transmitter? Got $20.00 for materials, a few hand  tools and an […]
Scale Leather Cockpit Coaming

Scale Leather Cockpit Coaming

I am always looking for things I can use in my scale modeling projects. So when I was finishing up my latest project I needed something to duplicate the leather coaming that protects the pilot from the cockpit opening edges. I found that an easy way to make good looking coaming right at a local […]
Shop Tip: Extend your Axle Length

Shop Tip: Extend your Axle Length

The stock hardware that comes with many of today’s ARF models is designed to do the job assigned and for the most part, they all get a passing grade for quality. If however you try adding accessories, the hardware may have to replaced or modified. An example of this is the new E/Z brake system […]
5 Tips to Dress Up Your Cockpit

5 Tips to Dress Up Your Cockpit

With so many great-looking scale model ARFs to choose from today, one of the neatest ways you can make your particular Pitts Special or P-51 Mustang stand apart from the rest is to install a great-looking instrument panel for your pilot figure to look at. (You did install a scale pilot figure, didn’t you?) There’s […]
6 Super Shop Tips from MAN Readers

6 Super Shop Tips from MAN Readers

Here are seven superb workshop tips straight from the best modelers in the world — MAN readers! Have a tip you’d like to share? Send it to MAN@airage.com (no photo or illustration required!). KEEP CANOPY BOLTS FROM BACKING OUT Use this method to help hold on to canopies. Take an 1/8-inch-thick piece of rubber sheet, cut […]
Mastering the Figure M

Mastering the Figure M

If you want to become the best aerobatic pilot possible, you need to master key maneuvers by taking small steps. First, make sure you’re proficient in performing maneuvers like inverted flight, vertical and horizontal rolls, inside and outside loops and the stall turn. You can then perform these moves in sequence to create a show-stopping […]
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

DIY Airplane Tail Ski

During winter, most of the planes we fly are tail draggers and just have skis on the front.  Small skis for the tail of the plane are unavailable. If the snow is soft or crusty, this more or less works: the wheel drags through the soft snow or stays up on top if the snow […]
Don’t cook your ESC!

Don’t cook your ESC!

Avoid these common power system mistakes Electric fliers all have one thing in common regardless of the size or type of models they fly—the electronic speed control (ESC). It doesn’t matter if you fly helicopters, airplanes, giant-scale, indoor, or micro models; at the heart of your power system is the speed control, and if it’s […]
Model Airplane Crash Repair — 5 Quick & Easy Fixes

Model Airplane Crash Repair — 5 Quick & Easy Fixes

One of the apprehensions all pilots experience is knowing our planes are at risk every time they take to the air. Then there is a real sense of accomplishment when the plane makes it safely back to terra firma. As our confidence builds, we start doing maneuvers closer to the ground and thereby increase the […]
Keep it cool: controling air flow

Keep it cool: controling air flow

When working with an internal combustion engine, we always have to deal with the heat that is created by this process. In many cases, the opening in the cowl will allow enough air to flow over the engine to maintain a cool temperature. But when performing extended 3D maneuvers, we have only the air produced by […]
Functional Scale Cockpit Hatch RC Airplane Access

Functional Scale Cockpit Hatch RC Airplane Access

When it comes to RC Golden Age racers, no one does  flying models better than the world recognized  guru of scale Gee Bees – Henry Haffke. When I teamed up with Henry to build the 1/3-scale version of his Howard DGA-5 “Ike” Golden Age racer, I added several  details that a racer this size needed to look right. One […]
Model Airplane News Favorite Reader Tips

Model Airplane News Favorite Reader Tips

Check out these reader tips! Betcha you’ll use at least one on your next building project. (Have a tip you’d like to share? Send it to MAN@airage.com … no photo required!)   GET A GRIP Converting scale aircraft to electric is becoming commonplace. Here’s a neat trick that solves a simple but perplexing problem often encountered […]
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