Community Spotlight: Epic Balsa DC-3 Build

Every Friday we like to highlight a special project by one of our awesome community members. Today, it's all about balsa. 

As RC airplane builds go, balsa can produce some really stunning results. This stick and tissue style DC-3 by TexMechsRobot on the Flite Test Forums is no exception. He's been putting this thing together since October of last year and has just recently flown it. Here's the whole story. 

Forum Thread

The Real DC-3

First flying in 1935, the Douglas DC-3 is still in service today. If you've somehow never heard of it before, you should know that this plane revolutionized air travel and shaped the future of what the airliner would become. 

During the Second World War, the DC-3 was modified to create the C-47 Skytrain for military use. This aircraft was used extensively by the allies to drop troops over Europe, supply the army and drop supplies. It was also used during the 1948-9 Berlin Blockade to deliver aid to the millions of people living in West Berlin. 

Balsa Build is Go!

Like many balsa model airplanes, this build started by laying out the sides of the fuselage. These sides then come together to create a three-dimensional box structure which makes up the fuselage. 

Progress with this DC-3 was swift. TexMechsRobot had this to say about this kit: 

"The wood in the kit is great. It requires a little bit of knowledge and experience to tell the difference but there are different densities of the same sizes so that the builder can make judgment calls about strength vs. weight. Also, the laser cutting is perfect. Couldn't ask for anything better there. I'll get a feel for how the laser cut parts actually fit together as I move to the wings this evening.

The fuselage is joined and strengthened by numerous spars. The tail and nose sections are pulled together to taper the structure. 

To create the famous curves of the original aircraft, with its tube-like fuselage, formers were added to the box fuselage structure. This was then covered with stringers. For anyone unfamiliar with balsa, stringers are longitudinal strips of wood that contribute to the structure of a frame. On a model plane, it also helps to have extra surfaces to attach the covering to. 

Before:

After:

A dry fit of the wing is always a fun stage of the build. It starts to take on the shape of an airplane! The motors here are two Suppo 2217/9s swinging three blade 7x4 Master Airscrew props.

Up close, it's easy to get a feel for this as a DC-3; the nose, the nacelles and the way the fuselage trails away are all dead giveaways. 

With the wing coming along, it was time to focus on the flaps. 

The next stage was covering. For this, Ultracote was used to keep the wait down, although TexMachsRobot soon realised he could have gone for an even better option: 

"I remember thinking that the Ultracote was light enough but I'm questioning my decision now. The SoLite is 0.7 oz/sq.yd. while the Ultracote is 2.7 oz/sq.yd."

There's always next time!

With the covering done and the final touches finished, it was time for a test flight. Check out those sweet custom made Alaska Airlines decals. 

First Flight

Man, if ever there was an example of lighter flying better, this is it. This DC-3 flies as smooth as butter. It just goes to show how far a well-built model will go. Here's the flight video for you to check out for yourself. Nice one TexMechsRobot! 

Make sure to check back here on flitetest.com for another community showcase next week. If you've just finished a project or have a design that you think could be featured, feel free to email me at james@flitetest.com. 

Other fantastic builds

3D Printed French Warbird

Behemoth H-4 Hercules Seaplane

Mini Mirage Jet

Article by James Whomsley

Editor of FliteTest.com

Contact: james@flitetest.com

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/projectairaviation