rc airplanes Archives - Model Airplane News

RC Airplanes -Scale Wingtip Skids — The Triplane gets some Axe Handles

Over the course of several months, I have detailed the building process of my Balsa USA 1/3-scale Fokker Triplane. A great detail point for the Cole Palen Triplane is that the lower wingtip skids are made from ordinary axe handles. Even thought I have flown the Balsa USA triplane most of its first flying season, I […]

Fly better with dual rates, expo & mixing

Utilizing your radio’s built-in programming will let you fly better with more control of your model. This article is intended for new and intermediate fliers and higghlights three important features you need to understand, dual rates, exponential, and mixing. LET’S GET STARTED First of all, when holding your radio during your flight, it’s a good […]

Warbird Wing Sheeting

When it comes to sheeting the wings, you want to do it right with any airplane, but for giant scale warbirds, you really need to do it correctly. I like to start once the retracts are setup and the plywood support ribs and the mount rails have been epoxied into place. We used the landing […]

Update! Bret Becker’s XB-70 Valkyrie

Our good friend and RC Scale competitor Bret Becker has won a slew of awards with his amazing electric powered XB-70 Valkyrie. Now a regular at Top Gun, Bret has constantly taken what the static judges have told him and he uses it to improve his strategic bomber’s static score. Back in 2018 he earned […]

Video How To: Fabric Covering RC Planes

We’ve received several emails asking about covering scale models. While I was building my the 1/4-scale Sopwith Camel project, I wrote this post that goes into detail about what’s required. Your response was impressive and many of you asked about Scale Stits fabric and Poly Tak adhesive, from F&M Enterprises. So, I brought the video […]

Resin Casting Scale Parts

Once you get to a certain level of scale modeling, you’ll start making parts that need to be produced in multiples and, most likely, are not commercially available. This is easily dealt with by making a master part and then reproducing it with a mold and resin casting liquid. Resin casting is considered an advanced technique, […]

Super-Scale Beechcraft Staggerwing

There are few 1/4-scale models of the Beechcraft Staggerwing, and the most popular RC design is the one from Nick Ziroli. It’s outline is very close to scale and it produces a great looking scale airplane. When it comes to making them look real, you need to use some scale parts and techniques. Here are […]

Pick your power: electric, gas or glow!

There’s an old saying that suggests, “If in doubt, add power!” And we have to admit, there are some Model Airplane News editors who do believe there’s just no substitute for horsepower. But when it comes to selecting which kind of power system to use, many RC modelers can use a little help. Model Airplane […]

Securing RC Airplane Wheels

When it comes to making good and safe landings, you need your wheels to stay put during your flight. Lots a broken props and more damage is caused when one of your wheels comes off the axle, usually during the takeoff run. Senior editor John Reid shows how to keep them in place.

Gas Engine Basics — Troubleshooting 101

When you’re starting your gas engine, get into the habit of using the same procedure all the time so you can easily identify any problems that pop up. It’s important to always have a friend secure the airplane’s tail and make certain the prop bolts are tight. Switch the ignition circuit (kill switch) off, close […]

Indoor Airliner: it’s a floater!

At the recent Model Fair in Stuttgart, Germany this gigantic Airbus wowed the crowd. The biggest indoor flier we’ve seen yet, it has a 15.74-foot wingspan and weighs less than a pound. It’s the handiwork of Airstage, a company who creates RC ultralight models for the marketing and entertainment industries (the airliner is not for sale […]