Strange to say but once you have mastered the basics of building a model airplane and have a few spare bits lying around your workshop or garage it becomes very easy to produce your very own design of RC model airplane. Simple Plastic Airplane Design (SPAD) is really cheap and fun alternative to constructing expensive remote controlled model airplanes kits.

The concept of SPAD started in the late 90’s and has evolved into a highly detailed and solid method for building RC model airplanes. While using traditional building materials and techniques can take weeks or months to put an airplane together, applying the SPAD concept can reduce the build time down to days, or even hours.

SPAD materials are widely available and are less expensive than those used in standard balsa model airplane kits. Plans and help for building a SPAD can be found online and are completely free. The best part about flying a SPAD is its survivability when it comes to the inevitable crashes as your enthusiasm gets away from you!

The basic RC model airplane SPAD concept revolves around using inexpensive building materials that can be found at local hardware stores and sign shops - or even picked up for nothing from builders cast-offs. While the materials required for constructing a SPAD vary from one design to another, the basic materials used include; PCV downspout pipe for the fuselage, CoroPlast(corrugated platic) sign material for the wings and controls surfaces, HDPE cutting boards for firewalls and landing gear blocks, and CA (superglue) to hold everything together.

Because of the simplicity involved in putting a SPAD RC model airplane together, even an inexperienced modeler can complete the job in a single weekend. A basic fuselage made from PVC downspout can be made in a matter of minutes, CoroPlast wings and control surfaces in just a few hours, and all the miscellaneous parts to complete the project in just a few hours more. Acquiring the materials needed for a RC model airplane SPAD project may require no more than a trip to the local hardware store and a few phone calls to local sign shops.

Aside from these readily available materials, there are a few other items that you will need; self tapping sheet metal screws, zip ties, a utility knife and a few wood sticks(4mmx27mmx1m Pine lathing/lattice). Other items needed to complete your RC model airplane, such as wheels, landing gear and control arms, will need to be fabricated or purchased from your favorite hobby store.

Plans for building a SPAD RC model airplane are available online, free of charge, from many different sources. SpadToTheBone.com, the original home for the RC model airplane SPAD concept, has plans to suit just about anyone. From the ever popular trainer called the Debonair, to the more sophisticated Coro Edge 540 sport/funfly model. A community has been built around the RC model airplane SPAD concept at SpadWorld.net where model builders from all over the globe help each other learn better and more exciting ways to make SPADs.

One of the greatest benefits to building with the RC model airplane SPAD materials is just how tough they are. Whether you’re trying a new aerobatic maneuver and just can’t seem to pull out of it, or just learning to take off for the first time and cartwheel your airplane down the runway, the chances that your plane will survive are very good. Compared to easily breakable balsa, plastic is a very forgiving material that can survive higher impact speeds without damage - and is easily fixed when broken.

Ease of construction, low cost and survivability all add up to a package that encourages modellers to experiment with design concepts and methods that extend the envelope of their experience and knowledge. Why not give it a go yourself?

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Bruce Bird makes it easy for the beginner to quickly get a grasp of the broad range of exciting activities that make up airplane modeling. To receive his FREE 5 part mini-series visit Model Airplane Secrets.

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So, you’re finally going away for your well-deserved vacation. Don’t let careless packing spoil a great holiday. Airport security systems have changed and has become much tighter. You might want to think about leaving some items at home and there are also some items that you might want to think about taking along. Here are some items to think about taking with you for a smoother trip and holiday:

Bottled water: many people are afraid of causing delays at the security checkpoint and some may insist that you finish it in front of the guards. Sipping water regularly while you fly can alleviate much of the discomfort that flying can cause. Also, depending on your destination - it can be very useful to have a bottle to fill with drinking water.

If you are diabetic it goes without saying; but even non-diabetic travelers will benefit from having some small food items on hand. Food wouldn’t usually bother security guards. Keep some small sugary and high protein snacks on hand to curb low blood sugar levels.

Baby Wipes will most likely be needed as well even if you don’t have a baby. If you eat something sticky and can’t get up to go to the bathroom these will help.

No matter where you are going you will need to find some secure way to carry your money and valuables. Your passports and credit cards will cause a vacation ruining mess for you and your family. If you travel often then it might be worth your while to invest a bit in something special and practical. Money belts are one way to carry around your valuables but they sometimes look bulky and obvious. A fanny pack is another idea. It depends on where you are going. You don’t want to draw attention to yourself or to your nerdy lime green fanny pack. Depending on where you are going you may want to leave jewelry at home. Foreign criminals are just looking for unsuspecting Americans.

Some kind of portable entertainment system is essential if you are traveling alone for long periods of time. It isn’t only techno junkies that can benefit from one of the many portable entertainment systems. Delays can be expected if you fly and you will be glad for something to keep you amused. Load an iPod with some of your favorite music and you have an instant mood lift wherever you are.

Another item that could be useful is a first aid kit. Even if you don’t need one - it will be reassuring that you are equipped for any emergency. Include headache tablets, some Mylanta is a must and anti-inflammatory. There are some excellent small travel first aid kits available nowadays.

Packing a plastic bag or two into your bag is a good idea. It will be a handy at some stage of your trip. Plastic bags have an uncanny way of being both useful and hard to find when you need one. Roll it up - won’t take any space and you will find a use for it at some stage of your trip. Otherwise you might land up having to pack your wet shoes in with your clothes.These are just a few tips to ease your trip stress. Since 9/11 air travel has changed and it’s important to keep this in mind when traveling. Plan ahead, be prepared and most importantly - have a great trip!

Christine Bettridge has loved writing since childhood. She has written Plays, poetry and many articles. Her latest e-book End Time Secrets recently released by Cypress Street Publishing has caused an order craze in the religious world. It can be ordered and downloaded right now through the publishers website at End Time Secrets and she also is the editor of the article directory, Above All Content Visit her blog at: The Bible Sound Blog

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Weathering refers to wear and tear on a model airplane. This may be from the elements (e.g. sun-faded paint), or from operational wear. The actual weathering pattern will depend on the specific airplane, its maintenance, and where it was operated (e.g. dusty airfield). It’s best to consult reference photos of the actual airplane, and look at them often while weathering the airplane. Careful application of weathering will greatly increase the realism of your model, and can turn it into a show-stopper.




Here are some typical weathering patterns and methods of applying them to your model:




Paint chipping occurs when parts of the paint layer get removed, to reveal the underlying bare metal. This often happens on heavily exposed or trafficked areas of the plane, e.g. wing walks, canopy frame edges and wing leading edges. Paint chipping can be simulated with silver paint and a fine brush, or a silver Prismacolor pencil. Another popular method is to paint a silver base coat, then apply the base color. While the base color is still somewhat wet, use masking tape to remove sections of the paint.




Gun smoke stains can be added with black pastel chalk dust applied with a fine brush (blow gently in the direction of airflow to remove the excess). Pastels are best applied over a flat (matt) surface, so if necessary first paint the model with a flat clear coat. The pastels will also need to be sealed with a clear coat. A convenient option that needs no sealer is to use an airbrush to make the stains. Airbrush (in the airflow direction) a fine line of highly thinned black paint.




Engine exhaust stains can also be added with black pastel chalk dust applied with a brush. To vary the effect, add some dark browns or grays on top of the black. The airbrush can be used very effectively here as well.




Pre-shading. Full-scale airplanes see lots of wear and tear in regular use. The surface skin panels often have uneven wear, with the center of the panels becoming lighter than the edges. Pre-shading can be used to mimic this effect on models.
The panel lines on the model are darkened first, before applying any color coats. Highly thinned black or darkened base color is airbrushed along the panel lines, and around the raised surface detail. The lines can be a bit uneven, as real wear is not even. The pre-shading is then over-sprayed with the base color, without completely covering the pre-shaded lines.
This technique can be used on any model with visible panel lines. If the model is molded in dark plastic, you may need to apply a light-colored primer coat before pre-shading.




Panel Fade is uneven wear of an airplane’s panels. The color is usually lighter near the middle of the panel and darker near the edges. Paint your airplane in the base color. Then add a few drops of white to the base color, and airbrush in the interior of a panel. Add a few more drops of white, then spray near the center of the panel only. Repeat this procedure for all the panels that you want to fade. When all the panels are done, make a very thin mixture of the base color. Spray a light coat of this over all the panels to tie all the different color shades together.




Post-Shading can be used instead of a panel-line wash. It involves using the airbrush and painting a fine dark band along each panel line. This is done with a very thin, dark color. Post-shading requires an airbrush capable of fairly fine lines. Thinned black can be used, or a mixture of the base color with black added to it.

Copyright©2005 Airbrush Model Airplanes

For more info on weathering with the airbrush, get the ebook Learn to Airbrush Model Airplanes. This article may be reprinted if proper credit is given and all links left intact.

Andrew Ling is a long-time model builder and a contributor to the Learn to Airbrush Model Airplanes ebook.

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