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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. | |
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