Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Buy a propeller from a craft store or online model supply website. You can make a homemade propeller out of a popsicle stick. However, it is difficult to ensure the balance on a homemade propeller. For this craft it is advisable to purchase a pre-made one. You want to purchase a propeller which slides onto the nose of the airplane and has a eyelet that hangs under the body of the airplane.
Draw the design for the body of your airplane lightly onto the balsa wood with a pencil. The body should be two inches high by six inches long. The nose should be pointed or rounded. And you need to include a tail fin for stabilization of the plane.
Draw two wings for your airplane lightly onto balsa wood with pencil. The main wing should be two inches by six inches (the same length and width as the plane body). The back wing should be half of that: one inch by three inches.
Cut all of the pieces of your plane out using a craft knife. Cut two horizontal lines into the body of your airplane. The first needs to be two inches long and should start 1/3 of the way from the nose of the plane towards the tail. The second should be one inch long and start immediately at the base of the tail fin of your plane.
Affix the wings into the slots so that they are centered. Secure in place with a dab of glue.
Attach the paperclip under the tail fin by poking one end of the paperclip through the balsa wood. Twist the eyelet closed. Slide the propeller rig onto the front of the plane and secure into place with a dab of glue.
Allow glue on the plane to fully dry. Two to four hours is adequate time.
Thread the rubber band from the eyelet under the propeller to the paperclip eyelet under the tail so that it is taut. Twist the propeller with your finger and toss the airplane gently and it will fly away.