Foam board based planes are a popular, easy and inexpensive way to build and fly both RC and free flight. It’s been in my scratch building arsenal for many years and taking it to the laser cutter opens up a vast range of new kits I will be offering. I also am able to utilize the files already out there for additional custom requests along with not to mention converting balsa based kits over to its format.
I’m launching this branch of kits with a design that I came up with in 2004 that was later picked up by someone else a few years later and refined, with others after them refining it and their own variances upon. I’m giving it a new name, something long overdue, calling it the Cylon, since the shape resembles the original series Battle Star Galactica, Cylon Raider fighter space ship. A prior version done up after my original from someone else goes by another name that’s most popular, the Nutball, with my original one, jokingly named the Flying Potato Chip. Back then it was merely tinkering with many different tests and styles for disc shaped aircraft so a foot note, little did I know how popular it would become.
I’m showing the work in progress couple of photos upon the first one on this new kit, readying it for the gearing up for flight. The canopy is not part of the kit but is a good example of what can be added.
This is a good platform for basic general flight along with practicing high alpha/hovering type of flying which is a great introduction to 3d flying. The tail feather only control’s with the rudder and elevator only have response rates and feel, more like flying with ailerons added rather then the normal tail feather only control as people are used to with trainers or otherwise.
I’ve brought the disc/wing bends back to more of the original dihedral and size along with the shape of the rudder/fin assembly. I liked where Flight Test went with their version along the box fuselage so used that as inspiration for my own addition which gives it a generous amount of open area for placing all of the gear including FPV with ease. The nose insert combo, motor mount, and landing gear mount thin ply that can be installed removable for swapping out to other models using the same tube assembly I plan upon using in other new kits or glued permanently in place. There is also a simple access panel on top for accessing all of the gear.
The build is simple with an evening or two of dedicated time at most required at a relaxed pace, more experienced builders only taking a couple of hours or less to go from kit to flying for a quick bash. The wingspan is 24″, the length as well and it’s scaled for cheap, common Park Flyer scale gear to be used in it. Take your time and produce something nice looking or learn by or just a quick bash, it’s capable on both ends to put together.
The kit is priced at $35.00 with free shipping to the lower 48, volume and special orders receive a discount per request. It includes all of the laser cut foam board and thin ply for all areas, piano wire and Velcro not included.
More to come along foam board based kits, the possibilities are limitless!