This model of the Pilatus PC.24 finished in Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia was scratch built from card and builders foam salvaged from a skip,the method of construction can be used on any type of aircraft.



Start by drawing up to the size that you want,card templates is a good way to go so save those cereal boxes they are useful

Make up a balsa fuselage crutch from which will be the basis of adding the required shapes

Add nose and tail sawn blocks of builders foam

With coarse glasspaper sand the sections to shape

Add fuselage formers

Next add blocks on the underside of the fuselage infills between the formers

Now fold thin card between the nose and tail formers holding in place with masking tape while the adhesive sets

Make up the wing internal membranes from balsa sheet running a spar from root to wingtip

Use a square barbecue stick for the wing to fuselage joiner

The engines are made from balsa dowel,you can burn out the inlets and outlets with a soldering iron or use metal puches to get the internal shape then carve out with a knife blade

Making up the engine pods attached to the balsa membrane makes them easier to handle

Wheels are made up from rubber seals filled with two part epoxy,the seals are laid onto polythene sheet to stop them sticking to the building board

Undercarriage legs are made from cocktail sticks and doors from folded card


Start by drawing up to the size that you want,card templates is a good way to go so save those cereal boxes they are useful
Make up a balsa fuselage crutch from which will be the basis of adding the required shapes
Add nose and tail sawn blocks of builders foam
With coarse glasspaper sand the sections to shape
Add fuselage formers
Next add blocks on the underside of the fuselage infills between the formers
Now fold thin card between the nose and tail formers holding in place with masking tape while the adhesive sets
Make up the wing internal membranes from balsa sheet running a spar from root to wingtip
Use a square barbecue stick for the wing to fuselage joiner
The engines are made from balsa dowel,you can burn out the inlets and outlets with a soldering iron or use metal puches to get the internal shape then carve out with a knife blade
Making up the engine pods attached to the balsa membrane makes them easier to handle
Wheels are made up from rubber seals filled with two part epoxy,the seals are laid onto polythene sheet to stop them sticking to the building board
Undercarriage legs are made from cocktail sticks and doors from folded card
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