Easy Foamboard Wing Airfoil: the Basic Version

Part 0 (a basic intro to the Armin Wing concept). A really quick and simple way to build an actual airfoil for an RC airplane wing. For a rectangular wing it's at least as easy to make and as strong as a KF airfoil and has the proven high-lift design approximating the "Clark-Y" airfoil used on many real and RC airplanes. Videos to follow will include improvements that take a little extra time but will make the wing more aerodynamic, water resistant, and have an integral control surface for flaps and ailerons. This is just the wing construction - overall airplane design is up to the builder!
Here is where I get my colored packing tape:
www.tapebrother...

[@jackjuhasz533]

watching your videos since day 1 you have made a major contribution to the hobby for young and old ! god bless you 😀. i'm 78 and still learning, ... clear skies and fair winds - jos 731

[@gman4229]

this the easiest way to make wings I have found so far,dollar tree down the street from my home picked up some foam and in five mins. I had a wing all ready to go,thanks for all those videos

[@karim1485]

Thank you that you give american AND european data (grams & oz) :D

[@capoiosct]

when?

[@harleyme3163]

notta clue but it has to be a lot lighter then my all balsa and 1/32" spruce plywood plane.. but mine have actual structure inside the wing.. (2 1/4" thick spruce bars down the entire wing and ribs to keep the form of the wing.... how real aircraft are made :-\ ... 3 months build time for a 60 inch wingspan plane :-\.. think I'm try this stuff.

[@kenwebster5053]

Almost 40 years ago, about 12 yo I built a balsa control line trainer without plans using almost the same method. Of course Balsa can't be so easily bent around the leading edge (LE) radius like foam can. So, I just used 2 sheets of 1.5 mm balsa, glued a strip along the edge of one sheet and planed down the top of that strip at an angle. Then glued the other sheet to the angled top of the strip. This formed the LE. Next I just brought the 2 other edges of the sheets together with glue to form the trailing edge (TE). Added tip plates, attached a flap to the TE and sanded the LE round. That's it, no internal structure. Added a stick fuselage, tail surfaces, OS Pet 1.5cc glow plug engine and external controls etc. It was good because I had struggled with a stunt model that I couldn't master. This simple, quick and easy build and got me flying CL on the 1st time attempt. So thanks for bringing back the memories.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

It's a complicated question, but as a general rule 1:1 will nearly always do you right if your vertical and horizontal stabilizers are adequately large, like 10% and 20% of wing area, respectively. A 1:0.75 wing:fuselage ratio is still pretty good, same concept applies about making the tail surfaces generous. I have personally never gone past a 1:0.67 ratio and made the stabilizers plenty big, and needed active rudder control to fly. I'm sure there are entire books on this subject. Cheers!

[@sailorjohn2224]

Haven't seen much of Ed lately, miss his great training videos.

[@josephmolinari1]

nice to see you willing to help your viewers.

[@RCFlyer007]

Thanks for an excellent video! Very well done and straight to the point without a lot of dancing and music LOL. Looking forward to finding some more of your videos

[@Senor0Droolcup]

Thank you for this! My little son has been pestering me to build a wing that would actually generate lift. He tried to make one out of cardboard, but of course it's not the right material. Now I can at least build a wing with him!

[@rahultej4317]

Aww

[@dolan008]

Nice, I am justing starting to work with foam board and thought your VIDEO was Great!! Im trying to build a ULTIMATE with Foam Board and this method of making a wing is the ticket for me!! Thanks!!

[@guidokuhn1275]

Great public site, especially for beginners alike myself, thanks to the individuals and You Tube. Keep up the good work! !!!

[@28th_St_Air]

Was just taking a KZbin stroll down memory lane to revisit where I started building planes and Armin wings 11 years ago. Thanks for the inspiration and enjoyment I have had with RC planes that you inspired. It’s great to see all the views this vid has gotten.

[@mohammedhgaze7010]

Excuse me, what is the material that this man used in the video?

[@Samuel_noveo]

​@@mohammedhgaze7010 fent

[@gtripe]

Excellent video. Well presented, clear, concise and with all the important details. Well done!

[@RCSQUADRON]

Thank you for making this video! I will try to make my first wing using your method and materials.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

I would be happy to help YOU do such a video, and I think it's an excellent project! Let me know how I might help or sponsor you.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

I follow that. I do use something like that for the leading edge of horizontal and vertical stabilizers. I see how it could work for the trailing edge of a wing, or maybe squish it up into the hinge of the control surface. Give it a try and let us know how it works out.

[@carstensonderskov]

Hi and thanks for your replay....I'm digging in to it... Happy flying. Chers Carsten

[@WarrenCay]

Great clear instruction and method, please post more on any good ideas you have.

[@tavi3938]

This is genius. Ive seen people hot wire cut airfoils but i find folded airfoils easier to make. I kind of developed my own folded wing wich is a mix between this and flitetest styled wings. Hopefully i can make a video on it soon.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

Seriously man, you need to give me more than a couple of hours to respond. Readi-Board is 5mm nominal thickness with paper on, can vary by about .2mm

[@septik101]

That's so cool looks simple and I've got to try it. Now I'm going to be able to build moor or less any plane i want. Thanks

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

That would be a pretty tight airfoil at 7cm. The upper and lower layers of foamboard would be 11mm alone. You could strip paper off and not apply tape to save weight, but the wing is more durable with the paper and tape.

[@RSBSTEADICAM]

If you can run the foam inside the foil shape upright on edge you will substantially increase the wing strength.

[@gabec2494]

Fill with expanding foam and carve off the excess. Making something similar with my son using aluminum flashing for a windmill airfoil

[@carstensonderskov]

Skydiving with Danes, Mexico beer, Ecco sandals..... that explains the well flying crazy designs. :)

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

Yes, with a carbon arrow shaft for a spar I can confidently recommend this wing for heavy planes and aggressive flight. I have an "aerobatic" motorglider with a 60" wingspan that I abuse pretty frequently with high-G maneuvers and it only causes a small crease in the upper wing skin near the root. My 60" wingspan Skyvan II weighs 9 pounds all up, with cargo, and does well with one carbon arrow spar and wing struts.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

No, I like to leave the paper on for durability and strength. The tape adheres way better to the paper, permanently. You can strip the paper to save a little weight but the tape adhesion is not great.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

@carstensonderskov It's called "foamboard" or "foamcore" and can be found at many craft stores, teacher supply stores, and photography supply stores. Can't post a URL here but Google "dollar tree foamboard teacher" and see Readi-Board there. In EU you might be just fine using Depron with tape reinforcement. It's too expensive here. US$1 for cheap foamboard with thin paper is great value here. If you find it be sure the paper is thin and peels off easily.

[@TheEarthandyou]

Very cool. Be great to see a glider, or self launching glider made from this. Plus I have some softer blue foam that might be fun to try. The sky is the limit

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

Send me a PM with more specs on that motor, like wattage, thrust, even just the gram weight of the motor. I will try to help you from that.

[@wx9dx]

I'd like to see how you add dihedral to the wing using foam board? Thanks Jimmy, ARRL TS, WX9DX

[@poppasmurf63]

Awesome job. Thanx for passing this info on...

[@nitro898]

I have just recently started building my own rc planes and found this channel. The basics that you have shown my are awesome. I have build 3 different size planes with multiple different wing configurations for each fuselage. It has given me something to do during the winter here in Pa. Thanks, now the snow has to melt so that I can start flying more!

[@MiddayEnglishman]

Doing the same in the UK.

[@mwc66]

I built 2 planes with this same wing and covered it with packing tape . They fly brilliant. The best wings I have ever built, well done Edd, thanks for showing

[@mohammedhgaze7010]

Excuse me, what is the material that this man used in the video?

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

There is no absolute rule but it seems to work out that a fuselage length that is 70% of the wingspan is a good sweet spot. Shorter tail needs larger horizontal and vertical stabilizers, longer tail can have smaller. If you had to pick one ratio to start with I would use a 30" fuselage and a 45" wing.

[@nickmalone3599]

Great video, just came into my feed. Going to try it.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

Readi-Board is just about 5mm thick with paper on.

[@MicahBurginGTVPO]

Thank you for this technique.... I hope to use this technique and cover it with foil tape to make my planes. I want to make my plane bodies from metal (I'm very familiar with metalwork as of yet, not at all with foam) but I need something to make wings.

[@letvalentino100]

Да, хорошее видео! Очень интересная идея изготовления крыла, спасибо!

[@InfianEwok]

Hmm, then IM is out of the question, as that is 10 PM to 5 AM in my timezone. So, just two quick final questions. What can I use to generate enough airflow in a classroom to clearly show wingflex? And, since I want to show maximum lift with the kind of airflow I'll be able to generate in a classroom, can you make a video showing me how to make an undercambered foil?

[@Playboyjoeshmoe]

I'm planning a faux Telemaster in foam. I think a 7" chord 4 foot span will be nice and I will likely use flaps so the thing can back up in the wind.

[@mattnsim]

I've left the board out in the rain for days at a time. I weighed how much difference there was with/ without paper and it halved the sheet weight.

[@JoLeng205000]

Brilliant hobbyist!

[@heckyes]

This also seems like a great idea for making prototype wind turbine blades.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

I know, it pains me guys outside the US can't get this $1 foamboard. We have the good quality foamboard too and there have been many mishaps trying to use it. Check on this youtube channel for some good ideas on using what foamboard is available in the UK as well as Depron for these wings and fuselages: wbw40

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

@RCPrairieFlyyer That's great to hear! I hope we can see your creation soon. I wish you blue skies and warm fingers!

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

Cannot get it online, and there are no Dollar Tree stores in Georgia (country). Look around for some other light foamboard 5mm, ideally with the paper easily peeled off. Depron is another option.

[@VasanthKumarSports-Scientist]

Cheers Matey!! I appreciate your immediate response!! :)

[@sledgenft8856]

Awesome thanks for sharing this info easy yo understand

[@nathanfinnegan522]

Can't wait to try this. Is your left hand the result of a nitro hand start?

[@khayln13]

I'm doing a science fair project on how the thickness (camber) and the cord length will effect the lift of a wing. Could you make a video with 4 wings. All with different variables?

[@IdeologieUK]

Hey Ed, just inspired to follow one of your designs and starting here at the basic wing. I'm planning an FPV Night Flyer with forgiving characteristics and payload for Go Pro, Flight Cam, OSD, AP and I'd say 3S 2200 lipo should be fine with maybe a 1300KV motor and 9X6 prop. Which of your fleet would you suggest? Many thanks - love that Burning Man video btw... :)

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

Dollar Tree (Readi-Board) foamboard is 5mm thick. The 5" and 7" chord models I detail in the later Armin Wing videos are all-around general purpose airfoils with 11% thickness at 40% chord, similar in use to a Clark Y, but not the exact dimensions. You can easily change the thickness and camber to suit different needs. There is really no meaningful analogy between a conventional airfoil and the KF with regards to dimensions. If you have a specific need in mind let me know and I might help.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

Definitely will demonstrate lift. A flat piece of foamboard kind of would too if you had the right angle of incidence, but I think you want to show the actual cambered airfoil lift effect, so this would be a great way to demonstrate. I think you would need at least a simple rig that slid or pivoted up and down to allow the wing to lift up and down. It would take a pretty serious airflow to cause enough wing flex to be plainly visible. Let me know if I can help. Science project?

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

No NACA airfoil specifically, though it comes out to about a 5410. It's a good all-purpose airfoil but does have a flat bottom. The ease of build is the real attraction and it works pretty well on RC with low Reynolds numbers and the ample power we use. There is the possibility of making symmetrical and semi-symmetrical wings but making a well-matched pair can be tedious.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

@carstensonderskov RL Adams makes Readi-Board brand foamboard in the US, but I do not believe they export. I'm certain there is an equivalent in Denmark or nearby. Look in craft stores, office supply stores, etc. Be sure to get one with thin paper. There are more expensive, higher quality foamboards with very heavy paper that is very difficult to get off and useless for this wing making technique.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

In the US the best place in my opinion is TapeBrothers com. They have a massive selection and good prices. Shipping is FedEx, which costs a few dollars more but it's very fast. I've put a link in the description of this video. In India and overseas I'm not sure of a source but I'm sure there is some around. Search for "carton sealing" tape.

[@QF2653]

I've found that peeling off the paper and using a hairdryer to bend it works perfect, no kinks. Then cover with tape. Also if you look at airplane wings the leading edge is always "Chubby".

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

I think I would keep a model that size about 8-10oz overall weight, but so much depends on the design and your skill levels, so it's hard to give a definite answer. 4oz seems a bit heavy for just the airfoil. What's the material and does it contain electronics with that weight?

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

@Cork42044 Thanks man, let us know how it works out. I do not have plans for the cargo dropper but hope to have some plans for something close to it soon.

[@twotonez1141]

Any videos on measuring airfoil angles and stuff? I'm trying to learn this stuff

[@chuckypilotaus3962]

I'm keen to know more about the control surfaces and how to integrate them.

[@harleyme3163]

the basis behind it is to change the lift to. faster airflow over one or the other side literally pulls it that way. as for the size of the surface... thats complicated aeronautical engineering. but any case, no less then 1/4 length of wing and no more then the whole wing... how long it is,, up in the air depending on type of airfoil. but if you make it to big they flutter at higher speed and screw up speed... lol not to mention the servo might not be strong enough to move it when the wind is pushing on it... locking you controls up = slow speed nah... but high speed uh oh. no control..

[@youronlycow]

oh my thanks for all the work! It's amazing. Can I ask something? Based on KF airfoils, there are specific dimensions which will produce results for different applications (Glide, speed, normal etc...). So for this airfoil, how would you know what to make? or would you make one with close reference to the data on kf airfoil? Also, how thick is that foam? Thanks :D

[@magnomedeiros3628]

great video...but could you clear me a doubt what material are you using to make the wings?

[@alexherrera3918]

Excellent video tutorial. What is the smallest size of wing for this method to be effective? Thanks Alex

[@eclipsegaming5998]

How can I put servos in the wing (like the j*scott plane) and how can I add dihedral

[@harleyme3163]

bellcrank the name of it... basically a right hand angle, servo push up down, translates it to the ailerons

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

@Snoppus Hey, that's a brilliant idea! Did you also tape the outer surface of the bend? If you can describe it a little, and define the depth of material removed, maybe I can add a Depron version video.

[@koutanaka4425]

We are using illustration board for the air foil and to move the flap we are using syringe and surgical hose.. And i cant find any videos like our project..

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

@bendunia It would make me extremely happy to see that video! I and some other guys are having good success with the Peace Drone for FPV flying. It is not hard to build if you can find the right foamboard. When you do, please tell me where you got it so I can help other builders around the EU. I'm sure you'll also appreciate the canard design - a French word and a French invention! Also see video for Armin Wing part 9 for the accidental French flag in the thumbnail.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

@carstensonderskov Well, my skydiving instructor Birgitte from many years ago was Danish and very memorable. There were other Danish skydivers who came through Arizona and were always great to hang out with. I partied some with some of the Danish national football team in Mexico once. My watch is a Skagen, my sandals Ecco, and most of my furniture is made in Denmark, from a store here called Copenhagen, and another Bova. You get the idea!

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

I recommend starting with the video entitled: "ARMIN WING CONSTRUCTION: start-to-finish process with links to detail videos", which has embedded links for each of the sub-steps.

[@VasanthKumarSports-Scientist]

Hiya Matey!! a real good one, Could ya pls let me know the name of the tape you used and where to get that! I mean the colored ones that you have stuck over the foam board. I would appreciate if you could let me know!! Cheers now!!

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

Nothing so fun as that. It was a pyrotechnic device mishap, and many surgeries later.

[@brucepeter2007]

Very Neat. Regards Peter

[@richardkeith1451]

That's neat,Peter. I still want to get started into the hobby as soon as I get all this other stuff done. For me I want to start with something very basic and easy to fly until I get some experience flying it. Thanks for the great post your pal,rich..

[@carstensonderskov]

Hi. Great...!!!! Brilliant... Cheers from Denmark / Carsten

[@carlosgarcazon9711]

Super cool vid... Thanks ...Keep up the good work....ill subscribe...

[@geraldsmith8878]

All I can say is ... WOW... very ingenious. Thanks for your time and skills.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

Not available online as far as I know, but you can get single sheets at The Dollar Tree.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

Sorry the live action is not going to work. Definitely light enough to rise with lift. A decent window fan should work to show lift. You are not going to see any perceptible flex though. It would take probably 30mph+ to show that. I cannot suggest an undercambered wing design. Sorry, that's just not my expertise. Hunt around a bit and you could probably find something on RCGroups.

[@monkeyzeetube]

Genius..thank you so much..

[@chrisricemrzu]

nicely done working on rc ice boat here i think can use this

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

It is 5mm thick with the paper facing still on.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

Thanks, view on - there are tons more wing and fuselage construction videos on the channel.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

@noobnub Readi-Board is 5mm thick, so a bit less than 1/4 inch

[@FlyingBuzzard]

So many show foam board creation for mostly larger aircraft, BUT what about that foam ( design) on a much smaller scale like UMX size ? I see few to none who have built smaller aircraft with foam ( not saying people don't ) just saying very few show they do and the technics they use to accomplish their build Example a Guillows size balsa plane is probably nearly the same weight as a Foam of the same size/style I would assume ? Any advice/wisdom on the subject ?

[@daleshears1448]

love the videos... how do you figure out fuselage to wing length????

[@andthecrowdroarsshahhhh]

Great Videos! :) Was there a NACA number you were basing the measurements on?

[@Bogey_Media]

coming back to this video almost ten years later to find this legend is still posting new stuff! I used to build these with my dad and now I'm building them with my friends, thanks for years of fun!!

[@mclarenp1166]

Bro watching it today too lol

[@Bogey_Media]

@@mclarenp1166 Building one today! Happy flying

[@mclarenp1166]

@@Bogey_Media nice bro

[@keithf676]

Like your videos. keep up the good work. You just opened my eyes to alot. Thanks

[@lucascoleman1245]

looks great thanks do you have any more previous info i might need to know on this project?

[@iaincox9639]

cool vid but what's up with your left hand?

[@kumarmanav]

*Hi i have 30 amp esc, 3s 2200 mah batery-25c,KV2200 motor, 6*4 & 8*6 props what shoud be the size of wing.

[@DaniloGarciaHansen]

Is it possible to cover the wing with Monokote? I mean, the foamboard supports the hot to apply it?

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

There are many related videos on my channel.

[@drcuffe]

I love this channel, flitetest sent me here :0)

[@neutrno]

What about wing spar ? Do you put e.g. carbon wing spar in the wings when you assemble it on fuselage ? Anyway, good video and well explained.

[@carstensonderskov]

hahahaha :)))))) Laugh....A LOT. Where do you know Danish from. ??? Mayby you can help. I dont know what kind of foam it is your using. I dont understand the English word. Will you send me a link to where i can buy it online, and mayby that way figure it out. SKAAL..... hahaha. Your video's ar by far the best I've seen. Thank you very much. Cheers Carsten Kind regards Carsten

[@onteigening]

Very smart! Which material did you use to cover the wing?

[@samueldiazrios6474]

How do you search the foam board in mexico?how do you call it in spanish? Plis somebody reply i need that information for make my plane . In mexico is called "unicell" but is not the same material as this because it cannot bend like that the unicell

[@salem42salem42]

Have had the worse time trying to find a covering here - use vinyl to cover my folded wings but the hot weather here bubbles the vinyl sheets and the model ends up looking like a seen from the moon landing . Hopfully I have resolved the problem with Kodac vinyl pro film 60 pence a meter .

[@InfianEwok]

Yeah, Physics, 9th Grade. We want to build an undercambered airfoil to ensure maximum lift generated from the air blown using a simple table fan. Will this video's instructions help in making an undercambered or is there another? Thanks though. Glad I found your videos. :)