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How to Build a Basic Biplane

Give your child a toy like a homemade biplane to light up his face. Besides the joy of getting a gift that you've put time and effort into, your child will love to imagine himself soaring through the clouds like an old-time aviator. Make a basic biplane from wood scraps that will become a durable, much-loved toy for years to come.

Things You'll Need

9-by-1.25-by-1.25-inch scrap lumber block
1/4-inch plywood sheet
1-by-1-by-1-inch scrap wood block
5 2-by-1/4-inch dowels
1 1/2-by-1/4-inch dowel
Straight edge
Pencil
Saw
Drill
Sandpaper
Wood glue
Paint
Paintbrushes

Instructions

- 1
  Measure 3 inches from one end of the scrap lumber block you designate as the front, and make a mark with the pencil. Measure 1/2 inch down on the opposite end of the lumber block and make a mark. Draw a line between the marks with the straight edge.
- 2
  Cut the block along the line with the saw. The largest piece will be the biplane's fuselage. Cut a 1 1/2-inch long notch on the bottom of the fuselage 1 inch from the front. This notch will accommodate the plane's lower wing. Drill a 1/4-inch hole in the front end of the fuselage.
- 3
  Cut two 9-by-1.5-inch pieces from the 1/4-inch plywood sheet. These will be the plane's wings. Drill four 1/4-inch holes through each wing. Drill one hole 1 inch from either end, centered between the long edges of the wing, and drill one 1/4-inch hole 2 inches from each end.
- 4
  Cut a 4-by-1-inch piece from the 1/4-inch plywood. Cut a 1-by-1/4-inch notch in the middle of one long side. This will be the plane's elevator, or tail "wing."
- 5
  Cut a 2-by-1-inch piece from the plywood sheet. Cut a 1/2-by-1/4-inch notch in one corner of the piece. This will be the biplane's rudder.
- 6
  Drill a 1/4-inch hole through the 1-by-1-by-1-inch block. This will be the landing gear.
- 7
  Cut two 1 1/2-inch diameter circles from the plywood sheet. Drill 1/4-inch holes in the center of the circles. These will be the wheels.
- 8
  Cut a 3-by-1-inch piece from the plywood sheet. Drill a 1/4-inch hole through the center. This will be the plane's propeller.
- 9
  Sand all the pieces so they are smooth. Round all sharp corners.
- 10
  Glue one wing into the notch on the bottom of the fuselage using the wood glue. Glue four dowels in the wing's holes. Glue the second wing on top of the dowels. Let dry for at least 1 hour.
- 11
  Glue the elevators to the rear of the plane. Glue the rudder vertically on top of the elevators. Let dry for 1 hour.
- 12
  Push a dowel through the landing gear and glue one wheel on either end of the dowel. Glue the landing gear under the fuselage, just forward of the bottom wing so that the wheels and wing don't touch. Let dry.
- 13
  Push a dowel through the hole in the propeller and into the front of the fuselage. Glue it in place and let dry for 1 hour.
- 14
  Paint the biplane any colors you like.

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