How hard is it to design your own plane?

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How hard is it to design your own plane?

Postby phil64 » Fri Jan 09, 2015 11:42 pm

Since it is relatively easy to scale up the Guillow's plans to just about any scale,it occurred to me that it would not be too hard to design your own airplane.Not to take away any sales but have any of you guys done this?
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Re: How hard is it to design your own plane?

Postby kittyfritters » Sat Jan 10, 2015 12:16 am

Not too hard? Well, yes and no.

If you are designing one as a one-off for to build yourself it's not that difficult if you have a bit of experience with model aerodynamics, drawing skills, (Even if you use a computer.) and a lot of patience. However, if you are designing one as a kit to be built by others that is another issue entirely, especially if you want to make sure that any average modeler who builds it can get it to fly.

Does that answer your question?

Howard
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Re: How hard is it to design your own plane?

Postby phil64 » Sat Jan 10, 2015 12:18 am

Yeah i want a Fokker Eindecker!
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Re: How hard is it to design your own plane?

Postby WIDDOG » Sat Jan 10, 2015 12:34 am

I think that Sterling used to make an Eindecker kit. I tried to design a c 130. Guillow's actually said my post was interesting but they had no interest in making a C 130 kit. Looking back I should have tried a larger propeller. http://youtu.be/RznKXKCq4jE
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Re: How hard is it to design your own plane?

Postby phil64 » Sat Jan 10, 2015 1:29 am

Pretty cool.Can you post a better pic of it?
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Re: How hard is it to design your own plane?

Postby WIDDOG » Sat Jan 10, 2015 7:20 am

Image
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Re: How hard is it to design your own plane?

Postby Goldy » Sat Jan 10, 2015 9:18 am

Designing your own planes is not all that difficult, especially if you have a decent modeling book for guidance and have a head and hand for it. Start with something simple...maybe gliders and go from there. When I was a kid with very little money and a head full of big ideas I made a whole lot of wood and paper biplanes. Some were gas powered some were rubber, some flew an some didn't, but it was a lot of fun and good experience.
This too shall pass.
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Re: How hard is it to design your own plane?

Postby phil64 » Sat Jan 10, 2015 9:21 am

Pretty cool!
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Re: How hard is it to design your own plane?

Postby Brenda » Sat Jan 10, 2015 9:27 am

phil64 wrote:Yeah i want a Fokker Eindecker!


I know the feeling there. Every time a Sterling Eindecker comes up on EBay I bid on it. Might give up and get plans off HPA or Outerzone and scratch build it.
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Re: How hard is it to design your own plane?

Postby phil64 » Sat Jan 10, 2015 9:59 am

Well i was checking the Bay and Dumas has them for 30-50 dollars.Might be the way to go since Guillows does not currently make the kit.
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Re: How hard is it to design your own plane?

Postby BillParker » Sat Jan 10, 2015 11:18 am

Here's your plan:

http://www.outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=1129

I recommend full size! *LOL*

bp
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Re: How hard is it to design your own plane?

Postby phil64 » Sat Jan 10, 2015 11:34 am

Thanks!that will work well!
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Re: How hard is it to design your own plane?

Postby BillParker » Sat Jan 10, 2015 1:03 pm

31 foot wingspan... hummm... This could be done.....
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Re: How hard is it to design your own plane?

Postby phil64 » Sat Jan 10, 2015 1:23 pm

More like 24 inches!
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Re: How hard is it to design your own plane?

Postby Bill Gaylord » Sat Jan 10, 2015 6:24 pm

I started scratch building with enlarged Guillows designs. One of my earlier builds was a FW190 at around 50" span. The Guillows keel and former design is a pretty straightforward building method when using a 3-view drawing also.
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