Do you have too many model airplanes on your shelf? I'm sure this is not going to stop you to add more - either by making them with your hands or buying them from the store. But maybe it's time to broaden your collection with something different - something that your friends modelists will greatly envy you for. Judging by the huge interest our article about model autogyro caused, I'm sure you will be interested to know about different types of aircraft models that are not airplanes.
Here are 8 of them: more original, less popular, and funky.
Feel romantic? Model balloons and dirigibles can bring a bit or retro-feeling in your model aircraft collection. Model dirigibles are mostly known as inflatable toys for little kids, but they can also be static scale models made of wood with great details. The RC fans can find many radio controller airship models which are usually also inflatable. Typically these toys are bigger than the model airplanes you probably have in your collection.
If you want to have small model of the typical balloons used by travellers and explorers from the past, you will most probably need to make it yourself. If you plan on making a flying aircraft be extremely careful with hot air or hellium as both may cause fire. Besides the caution required however, making such a model can be very satisfying and the result can be quite impressive and unique.
You can find a great model airship gallery and more information here.
2. Model Early Planes
While we are on retro-wave, let's think about the early planes. What are they? Mostly utopical, extraordinary, impractical... but lovely aircraft! In this category fall all kind of early ideas for balloons, steam aircraft, monoplanes and a lot of truly exciting stuff. You can learn a lot more about them at the Wikipedia page.
The only problem with these models is that you will probably need to make them yourself. It's hard to find any kits or RC aircraft that represent such early machines. Obviosly most of these models will not be flying because even the real aircraft has never flown. But even as static model such aircraft can be the jewel in your collection.
3. Model Paraglider
RC fans love RC paragliders because they really can fly well and smooth - and besides that flying them is really straightforward. Even climbs and decents are very easy to achieve simply by increasing and decreasing power. Most of these toys are quite affordable - only the RC paragliders of the serious hobbyists are expensive.
Static scale model paragliders aren't very popular, because to be frank they aren't much impressive. If you plan to build such a model yourself, maybe you'll want to consider some hard material for the wing so it stays open. Possibly such models may include also a figure of the pilot.
Model paragliders are most interesting in their RC version.
These models are loved by kids and teens with deviation to astronautics. But model rockets are special. Yes, you can see the typical static scale models of rockets and spaceships, and electric RC model rockets as well. But model rocketry is more than this - it has been existed for more than 50 years as a hobby that involves creating exciting models from paper, plastic, wood, or other lightweight for outdoor flying - and they really can fly high (usually up to 500m!).
The real model rocket hobbysists know an entire science of launch methods, site selection, deployment and more. Model rockets deserve their own article here and we will publish it soon. Until then you can continue reading here.
5. Model Hovercraft
Is hovercraft an aircraft? I'll leave this argument open - the fact is that personal hovercraft gain popularity everywhere and that's valid for the models, too. Most model hovecraft are remote controlled and scale models at the same time. They come as complete toys or as kits which are quite easy to build and can hover on land and on water just like the real craft.
Static scale models are less interesting because most hoverceraft aren't too detailed vehicles but they have their fans too - especially the military ones.
If you are not looking to make a scale model but just want a nice hovercraft toy for your kits, you can even make one from an old CD.
6. Model Flying Boat and Seaplane
Flying boats and amphibian airplanes are very useful in the general aviation. They offer a lot more options for landing than a regular airplane. What is the situation with the models? Flying boats are most popular as RC toys for children and often do not represent a real aircraft in details. Most of them come as ready models or ARF kits which are easy to assemble and fly. They primary purpose is to entertain, which they do well.
Model seaplanes on the other hand are often expensive (more than $100) static scale balsa wood models for adults. Some of them come as kits or RC seaplanes. If you want to build a seaplane model from scratch you'd better try to keep details in place and follow some of the popular scales.
The flying wings are futuristic airplanes which contain most of their equipment and the fuselage itself in the main wing structure. Flying wings are very popular as RC toys and have many variations. Some represent massive military airplanes and are made of plastic while others look like hang gliders or ultralight trikes and are very light and easy to make yourself.
Many of the light ones come as ARF kits (like these) but excluding the remote control it's easy to make such yourself from scratch using materials on hand.
If you prefer static models you may need to build them yourself - plans however can be find online even for free.
8. Tiltrotor Model
Huh... a tiltrotor? This fairly strange aircraft isn't very popular within the professionals and the fans of real flying, but it's a great subject for building models. With its two rotors and strange shape it can be an amazing exponent in your collection.
If you plan to buy or build an RC titltrotor you must know that these things are really hard to fly. Their rotors are hard to balance which leads to instability of the entire model.
Making a static model should be easier because you don't need to bother about the balance, but finding kits or plans for this weird aircraft can be a bit challenging.
Do you have any of these aircraft in your collection? Do you think any cool one is missing from the list?
Rubber Band Powered Airplanes
Rubber bands work better than electricity! Can you believe that? I am not sure that it is true. But besides the fact there are thousands of excellent and affordable electric RC model airplanes, many people still prefer the rubber band powered aircraft. Why is that so? Why do people in 21st sentury still love simple mechanical toys?
Maybe because simplicity is genious
How Do Rubber Band Powered Airplanes Work
The mechanism is simple and wonderful. Usually there are one or two pieces of elastic rupbber that is twisted before throwing the airplane. When the plane is released, the rubber band starts unwinding to its original position and rotates the propeller. The initial power is given by a crank or just by rotating the propeller.
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The rubber band powered airplanes are usually made of balsa wood or other robust and very light material to ensure the longest possible flight. The size of the propeller, the position of the wings and the entire aerodynamics of the aircraft are very important because the duration of the powered flight is very short. A well made rubber band airplane can keep flying for some time driven by inertion forces even after the rubber band is unwinded.
Can You Make A Rubber Band Powered Airplane?
Yes, and it's not very hard. First, you need a design - it should be something simple and have good aerodynamics as already said. Search for rubber band plans online and when you pick one, try to print it out 1:1 on tracing paper. This way you will easily cut out the pieces of wood or other material.
Follow the instructions and the measures of the plan you have found. Of course you can just try to replicate the drawing below, but it's not a real plan, it's just an illustration of how rubber band powered airplanes work.
Buying Ready To Fly Rubber Band Powered Aircraft
Building a rubber band model airplane yourself is fun and a little challenging. But if you don't have the time to do it, or just want to start flying right away, you can buy such aircraft for cheap.
The prices of such airplanes are really low - they usually start from $2 - $3 so I wouldn't say doing it yourself saves you any money. There is huge variety of such airplanes on the market, so you can get several models for just few buck. And on this price there isn't much research needed.
There is also one other option - if you want to build the plane yourself, but can't find appropriate drawings or materials, you can choose a rubber band airplane kit. The kits contain all the parts you need to build the airplane along with visual instructions. It's much easier to build a rubber band aircraft this way, but it's still more fun than just buying a ready to fly one.
In both cases check the box at right for some good rubber band airplanes you can buy.
History Of Paper Airplanes
The history of paper airplanes obviously has begun after the real airplanes have been invented. There are some reports online claiming it starts before 1900, but you would agree this is not possible. However people usually view the paper airplane history as part of the history of paper models in general which starts much earlier than XIX century.
Let's review together the history of paper airplanes with a bunch of text and pictures:
China, 2000 years ago
The history of paper models starts in China about two thousand years ago. The first models have been made of papyrus paper. Such models have not remain intact till the present time however so we can only guess how exactly they looked like.
Later these first models evolved to the origami craft. We know very well how the shapes of origami have looked as we keep doing them nowadays.
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Aero Magazines, the beginning of XX century
The first evidence that paper airplane history has started its wheel can be found in the aviation magazines from 1908 - 1909. They have contained articles explaining the use of paper airplanes for understanding and exploring the aerodynamics and aircraft design.
As the creator of die-cut paper airplanes is considered Wallis Rigby whose company were developing paper aircraft, cars and boats.
Second World War, 1939 - 1945
During the Second World War the paper airplanes production increased because there was no development of plastic model airplanes and balsa wood models. Paper is cheap, you know.
Present time
Paper airplanes are not history - they are still here, pretty much alive and kicking. People keep looking for good paper airplane designs and build paper airplanes themselves. There are plenty of paper aircraft books, containing instructions or lined models that you can cut or build. There are websites and tutorials on making paper airplanes like the ones on this site.
Knowing the history is not required if you just want to build or collect paper airplanes, but it certainly helps feel better the beauty of this hobby. Unfortunately there is no detailed timeline, with years, dates and pictures of paper airplanes. If you know some facts and have evidence for them, I would appreciate you share them so you can build a complete history of paper airplanes on this site.
Do you want to learn how to make a paper airplane? Read our articles and guides and subscribe to this site to learn everything about paper aircraft and other model airplanes and helicopters! You can also buy instructional videos that will help you make great paper airplanes in minutes.
There are millions of websites on the Web who give far flying paper airplanes plans and explaining how to build an aircraft yourself. The problem is most of them just go into too much detail of very complicated model airplanes. Even our article on how to make paper airplanes is focused at the advanced ones.
What to do if you just want to let your child learn making paper airplanes by creating a simple one?
Searching for such information online or in your local book store might turn out to be a pain. But I have an answer and it is pretty short:
Origami Paper Airplanes
The origami art is the answer because it lets you make far flying paper aircraft by just folding a square sheet of paper. No joining parts, no cutting, no compex drawings are required. And there are no long explanations with the origami airplanes - usually you will only have to go through a few pictures and a few words. That's the perfect manual for children!
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It's easy to find origami paper airplanes instructions online - for example visit this site. Pick a model you like and let your child study it. It's so simple and so beautiful.
It's even more recommended to buy a book about origami airplanes from your local store. Sometimes the drawings in these books are in real size so it's easier for your children to follow them. In some books you'll find even pages intended for cutting and making the airplane directly from them following the marks on the foldings. That might be a bit too easy to your likes however.
Problems With Simple Paper Airplanes
"Just too simple" might be the first "problem" that comes to your mind, but that's actually an advantage. It lets you and your kids get the first model airplane done and flying in pretty short time. That's much better than cutting, spoiling and building for several days just to end up with something that they don't like. Kids are impatient so better let them do simple things first.
The real problems with simple paper airplanes are mostly related to the way they fly. Here are the most common ones:
Bumpy Flight. Often the simple paper airplanes have a jolting ride. Usually lowering the elevators can help fixing this.
Diving and going down. Paper airplanes are too light and throwing them too strong often causes this. Just don't throw it so hard or try adding elevators.
Not flying straight. If your airplane's wings are not identical or the tail is crooked, this will happen often. Make sure the wings are exactly the same and the tail is straight.
Unstability. If the paper airplane is not stable, you need to add fins. The fins are small bends at the edges of the wings. Usually they would be 1-2 sm wide.
Looping and crashing. If the entire airplane structure is not well symmetric, the model will often loop and crash down. Besides redoing the model completely, you have the options to check its symmetry and try to fix it, or to manipulate the angle between the wings.
There are of course all kind of problems that may happen to the flight of your paper airplane. But don't forget that making a new one is always pretty easy and fun. It's not like investing a lot of money and time in some complex model aircraft kit. So don't worry, just go ahead, let the kids play with the models and enjoy with them. To give them a kick start, get one of these great videos - visual instruction works best epsecially with kids.
Paper Airplanes For Kids
Creating model airplanes on your own is a complex process. You can browse through the articles in this site to get a better idea of all kind of model aircraft you can do and what is involved. Regardless of its complexity, the hobby of aviation modeling is very popular beneath the more technically advanced kids. But if you are looking for airplane models which are appropriate for just any kid, better look for paper airplanes.
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Paper Airplane For Kids - What Is Specific About Them
Kids easily get excited about any new thing they face, but they also as easy lose interest in it. The kids still don't have our wisdom to accept failures so if they fail doing something, they often get quite disappointed. That's why the paper airplanes for kids must meet some specific requirements:
They must be easy model airplanes. To avoid frustration, the kids better be given easy paper airplanes so it is almost sure that they will complete their first aircraft successfuly. You don't want to turn your kid off the aviation just because he or she couldn't finish the first model.
They must be robust. Your kids might not be too careful with the paper airplanes once they make them. They will try to make them fly in all kind of conditions, they will play with them, throw them and sit on them. Too fine models are not appropriate paper airplanes for kids.
They must fly. Your kids will not get excited about static scale model no matter how great is to have such airplane made of paper. They want their airplanes to fly - the more they can fly, the better. So, pick good, simple, flying paper airplanes.
