Making an Airplane - Part 2

After completing the cockpit area, I moved on to the tail, nose, and wings of the plane.

I framed out the wings knowing that Olson would be climbing up and into the plane via the wings.

I added plywood to the top and bottom of the wings. 

Then I used a round-over router bit to take the edge down.

I left a pocket on the inner part of the wings so

I could run bolts down through to attach them to the plane body.

I extended my notched side supports for extra support.  Later drilling holes to attach the wings.

I wanted it to have curves.

I cut smaller circles and added braces to support the weight.

 

I cut a ring out to add to the body to give myself something to screw the slats into.

I made a tail fin for the plane and sheathed it in plywood.

After attaching the tail fin at the right angle, I started running the slats.

This proved to be more difficult than on the cockpit body.  I had to custom cut most of the slats to fit.

The rear and cockpit area completed.

I cut a smaller circle on the nose of the plane also.

Cut a ring for screws as I did in the tail piece too.

I originally wanted to have the propeller to be attached to a steering wheel.

The angle didn't line up so I had to scratch that idea.

I decided to allow the propeller to still rotate, but manually by just turning the propeller.

I ran braces as I had done on the tail piece.

I had to custom cut the slats down on the front also.

It got heavy!

I used the same circle cutting jig to cut grooves into another circle that I attached to the nose of the plane.

I used a jig saw to round off my propeller and made a cap piece to stick on the front.

The seams between the three sections bothered me, so I bought a cheap garden hose that I cut to flatten out.

This was the most tiring task on my fingers at least.  The hose kept wanting to roll back in its original shape.

It was now ready to prime and paint.  I bought exterior paint so it would hold up better.

I taped and masked off what I wanted each color and sprayed away.

I added supports under the wings and the wheels came off old wagons.

I still have a few touch ups here and there; as well as, accessories to add to the cockpit.



Making an Airplane - Part 1

Please Note:  This is how I chose to make the plane.  Maybe you have better or more efficient ways.  My purpose is to provide inspiration to think outside the box and create something of your own. 

As many you know, it is hot in the summer in Texas.  I tried to take pictures at each stage, but the heat got to my brain and I missed some along the way.

I started by routing circles in plywood for the body of the plane.

I was able to make two circles out of each 2'X4' piece that

I had the Pros at Home Depot cut down for easy transport.

We found an old chair for $5 at the McKinney Trades Days that I designed the size of the cockpit around.

I used a reciprocating saw to cut the legs off the chair.

I cut dados in the circles to fit my support braces.

I wanted to make the wings removable so I made notches in the side braces to accommodate.

You can see the notched side braces and the beginnings of the support for the seat.

I used a waterproof glue since it's final landing place was going to be in our backyard.

All the supports were 2X4's that I cut down.

I also wanted to make sure there was plenty of support throughout. 

 

Cut a dashboard to fit in between the upper side supports.

Braces for the dashboard.

I cut 1/2" thick by 2" wide slats to sheath the plane in.

Sheathed the main body being sure to leave the notched area for the wings exposed.

I slightly beveled the sides of the slats to fit more tightly to the circular shape and used screws for to attach the slats.

On the bottom, I had to add wood supports for the wheels to attach to.

The cockpit of the plane completed.

  ...................................................

Making an Airplane - Part 2 coming soon!

Olson's Airplane

For our son's third birthday, Steph and I wanted to do make something special and one of a kind for him.  We decided since he likes airplanes, we would make him one to play on in the backyard.

It rotates!

H is for our last name 

628 is his birthday

The wings are removable for easier storage in the winter.  Not that we really have a true winter in Texas.

He loved it until he learned that he couldn't actually fly it up in the air.  His words, "It's broken!"

I'll have to show you how I made it.