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How to Make an RC Plane Wing Out of Plexiglas

Usually when you think of Plexiglas and airplanes, you think of canopies and windows. But, the idea of using Plexiglas to make a wing for a remote control airplane is not a bad one. Consider the properties of Plexiglas -- it's a strong material that can also be light and flexible. A wing made of Plexiglas could surviving crashes and other mishaps that might severely damage a wooden or plastic wing. Working with Plexiglas is not difficult, but it does take some preparation and concentration.

Things You'll Need

Plans for an airplane wing
1/2-inch sheet of Plexiglas
Spray adhesive
Dremel tool
Heat gun
Face mask
Safety glasses
Heavy duty packing tape
Control horns
Clear epoxy

Instructions

- 1
  Clear a workspace. Use the spray adhesive and, without removing the protective covering, glue the wing plans directly on to the Plexiglas. Put on the face mask and safety glasses and use the Dremel tool to cut out the shape of the wing and set the remaining Plexiglas aside.
- 2
  Use the Dremel to sand the edges of the wing to remove and burrs and make it smooth. Sand the leading edge and outside of the wing to round the edges. Lay the wing on a flat surface and sand the back third of the wing to a beveled edge.
- 3
  Cut aerilons -- small flaps -- into the trailing edge of the wing. Sand the cut edges smooth. Remove the protective paper from the wing pieces. Apply thins strips of packing tape to the cut edges, slide them back together and apply more tape to create working hinges. Glue control horns into place close to the center line of the wing.
- 4
  Paint or cover your wing as desired. Mount the wing on your plane. Connect the control rods and adjust the aerilons.
- 5
  Test fly your model to see how your wing performs.

Aviation