Building model airplanes can be challenging but fun. A Styrofoam model is easy to make with materials found around the house. The model airplane is as much fun to make as it is to play with the finished product.
Instructions
Building the Model
1. Find a pattern for the model. Trace the pattern on the plastic foam (Styrofoam) tray and cut it out using the utility knife.
2. Sand the surfaces of the pieces of fuselage to rough them up slightly so that they adhere to each other easily. Glue the two pieces of fuselage together from end to end.
3. Place the rest of the pattern pieces on the plastic foam (Styrofoam) tray. Trace and cut out each pattern piece. Make sure to mark the forward direction for each piece.
4. Sand the surfaces of the remaining pieces, except the wings, where they will be glued together to ensure adherence. Glue the pieces together where indicated on the pattern.
5. Cut the wings along the line designated in the pattern. Sand both surfaces of the wings along the cutting line. Cut the wings where indicated on the pattern.
6. Place a bead of glue along the top of the fuselage and place the wings one on each side of the fuselage and meeting in the middle of the bead of glue. Using the books or blocks of wood raise the outer wing tips about an inch higher than the fuselage so that they tilt upwards. Spread another bead of glue along the line where the wings join on top of the fuselage.
7. Tape a dime to the side of the fuselage just slightly behind the front edge of the wing, once the glue is dried. Throw the plane and watch how it flies. If it makes a steep climb move the dime forward and fly again. If it does a nose dive, move the dime back slightly and fly it again. Once the plane flies straight, add more tape to the dime to keep in permanently affixed to the plane.
