Building Plastic Models and Wooden Airplanes to Fly

[Timewise 60+]

As a kid I was into building plastic models. Usually it was something from WWII, tanks, airplanes, and ships. I also built model airplanes from wood. These were initially rubber band powered planes and later I built engine powered airplanes. I generally used an .049 size engine, never anything bigger. I initially flew the gas planes using a control line, flying in circles around me. Later, I went to RC controls.

Now retired I am back into building plastic models. So far all are WWII fighter planes...but more to come....


What about you?

 

[Grampa Don]

Me too. If you use an airbrush, check out my website. Don's Airbrush Tips

 

[Gaer]

I used to build toy wooden airplanes and toy cars just for display, but I don't have time for that anymore.
But, They were just toys.

I think what both of you gentlemen are doing is so wonderful! So creative!

 

[Timewise 60+]

Me too. If you use an airbrush, check out my website. Don's Airbrush Tips

Don,
I read all that you posted, thanks for a wealth of information. I am going to get my first airbrush a Badger 155 Anthem. I will primarily use it on WWII era models. Can you give me some perspective on getting a compressor. I have also read a lot about them, but still, I am researching prior to buying. Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks, and 'Model On'!
CC

 

[Grampa Don]

@Timewise 60+ Thanks. Rather than answering you here, why not email me. My address is on my website.

 

[Naturally]

When I was a kid, there was a local (airplane) modeling club that would get together for an hour one evening twice a month and one Saturday afternoon a month in a vast field. The Saturday events included competition with wooden gliders. Think the longest I got one to stay up was just over a minute when it luckily hit a thermal. Also race events with line controlled planes like the 'Lil Satan with Golden Bee engine my brother is holding in the picture. My father built many line controlled planes of all sizes and power and even had one radio controlled craft.

Modeling was a GREAT pastime and so very relaxing. Good times.
(I had dark hair like my dad, but tried to bleach my hair that summer and it came out orangeish D'OH)

 

[hawkdon]

I built some of the wooden models, even tried to fly some
but never had much luck...later tried gas/rc/eletric and
again not much luck due to dumbfingers....spent a lot of time and money for failure sadly.....

 

[Grampa Don]

Never had one with a gas engine. This was more my speed.

I never could get one to fly worth a darn. I got a set of Xacto knives for Christmas when I was 12. The first thing I did was slice my palm leaving a scar I still have.

 

[Naturally]

The balsa model glider kits we built were a bit more robust and durable than the 25cent (10cent) kits though we built those too.
Tried to find a pic of one on google but couldn't. Guess they are lost to history.
For the glider competitions, we rubbed the gliders well with a bit of talcum powder to reduce air resistance.
In the adult category, I think I remember the longest aloft time to be around 5minutes on a warm day with nice thermals.

I was also into plastic modeling, though not on a professional scale as some do and I'm in awe of.
Just a kid saving up and spending his weekly allowance on something relaxing, rewarding and enjoyable.

 

[Timewise 60+]

I lived in a small mountain town in Colorado as a kid. We had long cold winters. I recall going to school at -40 degrees, not often, but a few times. Those winters meant very little outside time, so building models was a real good pass time. Access to TV was limited for a few years in the mid 50's. Then we finally got 3 channels...now that was living! My dad was a good model builder both plastic and wooden, so I had company and a good teacher. I still cut my finger also with my new Xacto knife...

 

[Timewise 60+]

OK, all I have been really slow in getting back to this thread. I lost it in the files and then forgot about it? I was browsing this morning and found it again.

I currently have ten plastic airplane models to build, they all are WWII combat planes. I also have a Ford Bronco model that is the same car my older son drives. I am going to copy his Bronco and give the model to him as a gift. Finally, I have two balsas model airplanes, rubber band powered, that I am going to build and try to fly. Like most of us, I have built this type before but never really tried to fly them. This time, they will fly, or at least fly and crash...

More later, after I give it a shot. I will build the wooden airplanes first...wish me luck, I probably will need it!

 

[squatting dog]

I have taken to trying to duplicate all of our race cars. Something to do on rainy days.

 

[Timewise 60+]

I have taken to trying to duplicate all of our race cars. Something to do on rainy days.


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Now that is some real fine model building, thanks for sharing...

 

[squatting dog]

Now that is some real fine model building, thanks for sharing...

Thanks. Some of it is hard to copy. I had to fabricate my own ramp truck since there isn't one around. Likewise the camper I hauled the mustang isn't available, so, I had to fab that one also. Not quite finished with some of them, and I still have a bunch to do. (can't believe we had so many race cars).
Looks like I'll have to fabricate a mini motor home too.