workshop tips Archives - Model Airplane News

Laminating Balsa Made Easy

When building model airplanes, especially scale WW I subjects,lamination work for parts of the wing and tail are a requirement. This technique has been used for decades but to new RC model builders the technique of producing lightweight curved parts may need some explaining. Here’s how I do it. There’s nothing exotic about the technique. […]

5 Great Servo Installation Tips

After you install your servos according the manufacturer’s directions, you might find that when the servo arms are placed on the splines, they aren’t at a perfect 90-degree angle to the servo case and control linkage. Or, after you’ve hooked up the various linkages, you discover there is too much or not enough travel throw […]

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 […]

Balance your RC Propeller — 4 Steps for Better Performance

After you build a sport plane, there are a couple things you need to do before you head off to the flying field. For your engine to operate properly you first have the break it in, and before doing that, it’s important to balance your propeller. Why? Most, if not all, propellers will be out […]

Repair RC Wings — Video How To Series Part 3

Here is the third and final installment of editor Gerry Yarrish’s video How To for repairing built up wood wings. When it comes to doing repairs to built up RC aiplane structures, fixing a busted wing is always less expensive than buying a new one. And of course these techniques can be used on all […]

RC Wing Repair — Video How To Series Part 2 — Beginner Tips

Here is part two in editor Gerry Yarrish’s video How To Series showing basic Wing repair techniques. Where you need to fix a kit built model or an ARF, these videos will show you what’s involved in mending a busted wing. Be sure to stay tuned as part 3 is coming soon and will cover […]

RC Wing Repair — How To Video Series Part 1– For the Beginner

Editor Gerry Yarrish starts his Video How To Series for Wing Repair with this Part 1 installment. Stay tuned as Gerry will be posting more videos showing his repair techniques.

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 […]

Easy RC Workshop Tips

These tips may not change your life, but they may make building and flying RC planes a little easier! Have a tip of your own to share? Send it to us at MAN@airage.com. Hatch Leash A great way to ensure your canopy arrives attached to your plane, rather than flying off one way and […]

Painting an RC P-51, part 2

Last week, Lane Crabtree gave us an overview of his CARF Models P-51 painting project and detailed how he primed the aircraft and painted the silver and olive drab layers. This week, he begins by masking the canopy. Once you get the two basic colors on the fuselage, time to begin to add some […]

RC Airplane 4 Simple Shop Tips

Simple tricks are the best, don’t you think? These tips may not change your life, but they will make your time in the shop easier and more enjoyable. Have your own tip you’d like to share? Send it to MAN@airage.com and you could be featured in the magazine! SMOOTH THAT OLD IRON Have you ever […]

A new way of using a hobby knife & other tips!

Is there a building step that always gives you trouble? Have you wondered whether there’s a better way to accomplish a particular modeling task? If so, perhaps one of these 10 helpful workshop hints will help you solve the problem or simply lead you in the right direction. You might have heard about a better […]