Zap Glue Archives - Model Airplane News

Splicing Balsa Sheeting — Video RC workshop Tips

Working with large models, it is often necessary to splice the balsa sheets together for items like wings and long fuselages. To produce strong slices in the balsa sheeting you have to make them at an angle to increase the glue surface so the sheet’s overall strength is not compromised. This workshop video tip by […]

Easy RC Scale Details — Turn a Straw Hat into a Vintage Pilot Seat

So my Fokker Triplane had been finished for a few weeks and the airplane had flown several times without any problems. But there is that big issue of an empty cockpit. So, I converted my old Mini-Me 1/3 scale pilot figure into a WW1 leather helmet and goggles guy with a great set of cloths […]

RC Airplanes — Make Engine Cowls — Easy Beginner tips for

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Working with Aluminum Engine Cowlings

When building my Balsa USA Fokker Triplane, I switched from the included fiberglass cowling to one made from aluminum for some improved scale appearance, I replaced the one that comes with the kit with the Arizona Model Aircrafters aluminum cowl. Start by installing the engine in your fuselage so you can center the face plate […]

New Rubber Toughened — ZAP Glue

There’s probably not one single RC modeler on the planet who hasn’t heard of ZAP Glue. Distributed through several outlets including Robart Mfg., www.robart.com and, Frank Tiano Enterprises (FTE) www.franktiano.com . The Zap Gang www.zapglue.com has an adhesive for just about every conceivable job where you want to stick two things together regardless of what they […]

RC Airplane Soldering Tips

There is always that occasional opportunity to do some soldering. When you need to add some connectors to a battery pack, or to make a set of wiring adapters for your battery charger, using heat and molten metal to join wires together is one of the oldest do-it-yourself tasks for RC hobbyists. The task is […]

RC Plane Workshop: Edge-Gluing Balsa Sheets

At some point in your model-building career, you will be faced with a problem. You will have an area of your model that requires a sheet of balsa wider than the material you have on hand. If you are like me, this usually happens when you are starting to make significant progress and when the […]

Workshop Tips — Install a Dummy WW1 Rotary Engine

When it comes to really looking scale, it’s in the details that we make the most progress in giving our model’s that “used” look. For my Balsa USA Fokker Triplane, I wanted to bring a better scale look to the front end so I installed a resin cast Oberusel rotary engine available from Nick Ziroli […]

How To Make Scale 3 Panel Windshield Frames

This technique is an updated version of my original “How To” using thin 1/32 inch plywood to make 3-panel windshields for open cockpit airplanes. The airplane I am using is a loaner Stearman PT-17 I got from Nick Ziroli Jr., and I wanted to spruce it up a little for him. Let’s get started. (Above) Here is the old wornout clear plastic […]

Installing Strong Hinges Improved Fun Fly Control Response

One thing I learned over the years is that the response of your airplane relies a lot on the hinges you install. Weak hinges allow your control surfaces to flex minimizing control crispness. This is especially true with high performance and fun fly airplanes. When it comes to installing hinges, I use Du-Bro Products’ pinned […]

Model Airplane Workshop Tips

From pull-pull control systems to getting the most out of that bottle of CA, our team of editors and contributors has the answers you’re looking for. Here are 7 workshop tips that we hope will make your time in the shop more enjoyable and efficient. Enjoy! Fine-Tuning Control Horns When it comes to using a pull-pull […]

Model Airplane Bomb Drop Mechanism

OK, it’s really called a payload release mechanism, and it plugs directly into your receiver, but this slick Payload Release from E-flite is the perfect solution for scale modelers who want mechanical options like drop tank and bomb drop function on your scale plane. For less than $25, the unit plugs directly into the receiver […]