Easy Foamboard Wing Airfoil: the Basic Version

[@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.

[@sam_tetas]

​@mohammedhgaze7010 fent

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@heckyes]

I dunno if Google just did some kind of update to the algorithm that finds content that I'm interested in but lately I have found sooo many new channels that are awesome. This is one of em!

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@DobyxRC]

Just found your channel and have turned off my TV and am going through your videos :-) I have just started foam building with a MickeysRC unit that is giving me motor thrust angle issues and in search of education I found you. Thank you for the information, I will pay it forward.

[@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!

[@RCPrairieFlyyer]

Fantastic videos and easy to follow. I built my very first Armin wing today and WOW, I can't find the words to express how well your build techiniques worked. In Canada, it is of course winter now and with your helpful videos, my friends and I will have a new plane to fly in the snow.

[@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.

[@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]

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

[@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.

[@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?

[@twotonez1141]

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

[@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".

[@SirCutBurner]

THese are great. Ive been using the 'electrifly' brand hobby foam (very light x surface tension loading) and 'ribbing' conventional rib style build with a single carbon fiber main spar...made a 2-meter wing with 9 inch chord and 1.5 inch thick rib profile...(clark - Y flat bottomed airfoil) even added "twist out" camber at each wingtip for minimizing tip stalls. Whole wing with 2 mini servos for ailerons/flapperons weighs a couple ounces. Yea...wing loading is super light, but its a light plane.

[@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.

[@torritoist]

Thank you for your well thought out video. You display a superior format in these productions that is so helpful to those of us who are serious in learning about R/C topics. Bravo!

[@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.

[@bidkid2020]

I've watched a few of your videos & wanted to thank you for the amount of information you share. I would like to watch more of your videos on building foam wings if you could direct me on the easiest way to find them. You really do give a good presentation. Thanks again.

[@geraldsmith8878]

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

[@InfianEwok]

Will this be light enough to demonstrate the concept of an airfoil? i.e. to show, using a simple table fan, how the wing creates lift to make an airplane fly. So, what I'm wondering is that if I blow air onto the airfoil, will it show enough wingflex to show that concept?

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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?

[@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?

[@muhammadaleemkhan4011]

I am feeling bad because of your hand. And you are doing a fine work. I wish you everything good in your life.

[@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..

[@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?

[@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!!

[@lpbug]

if you reinforce this with carbon fiber, it would be rigid enough to carry a significant amount of payload without bending right?

[@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..

[@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!!

[@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. :)

[@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 .

[@booger37391]

thx ,.... im seen most your videos and FT videos... still trying get a wing that's very slow/ stable for videos. im using the ft exployer frame-thinking put your type 7 inch wing on it! maybe 4 formers and shaved more on edges and tapered trail ends .. no flaps... just 3 channel. /smooth flight. maybe oversized end caps for the wing (stable ).my first wing /haven't tried yet! its top sheet and spars only/ open underneath.. catches wind like a kite! 2 - 3/16th thick bar b que sqeers! hopes it works.. kinda glue globbly messy- . need a cleaner way to make it!

[@magna59]

This is very very elegant solution . Slap yourself on the back for such a nice solution & being kind enough to put it up ........... now the question is , can I get foam board in 30 ft lengths !

[@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

[@wadedittus3552]

I'm interested in the plastic covering and wing extensions.....

[@nathanfinnegan522]

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

[@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.

[@OCMAMY]

Necessity is ""THE MOTHER of ALL INVENTION"! Keep up the GOOD Work

[@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.

[@cooperchatham8710]

This is helpful... doing a winglet vs. standard wing science project. is there a way to add a winglet??

[@buzz60016]

ExperimentalAirlines - Thank you for posting educational and entertaining "build videos" These are so excellent..........

[@pilotbaker11]

Had to subscribe... Just saved me a whole lot of money on making my own wings. Thank you!!!

[@a1930ford]

When you cut your trailing edge to glue it down, couldn't you also score that lower piece of foam board further out by an inch of so longer than you did and then remove the foam from it and use the remaining paper left there to pull up and over the trailing edge to glue it to the new wing surface? Hard to explain, but it just seems like it would work if the original foam board is cut and scored to allow the extra at the trailing edge. Great video. Have you made another to cover trailing edge?

[@jimfurman3145]

It is so simple to do. Do you have plans available?

[@sailorjohn2224]

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

[@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.

[@magnomedeiros3628]

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

[@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 ?

[@josephmolinari1]

nice to see you willing to help your viewers.

[@Cork42044]

Great wing. I will be building some of these I am going to put it on the Puddle Monster to see how it flys over the build up wing.that is in the plans this is a lot easier to build. Thanks, PS do you have plans for the C-69 cargo dropper? Duane

[@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.

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

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

[@astikshrivastava6946]

can we use this method for making cambered airfoils like ag25 (for sailplanes)

[@alexherrera3918]

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

[@andywebb1607]

do you need to look at the glider body so they go on ok ,good video thanks

[@daleshears1448]

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

[@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.

[@DarrenFollows]

Unfortunatly the foamboard in the uk is better quality and the paper wont peel back as easily as yours! Making it impossable to get a nice curve!

[@najron7152]

Hello sir, I have a question. Do I need to calcute where I need to do the thickness spot and how thick do I need to do it?

[@carstensonderskov]

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

[@franzfranz131]

Can you lay carbon fiber on it? I want to make a stronger carbon fiber fuselage

[@alkorsonj1218]

Thanks for the video. I learned a lot. When building a propeller plane, what is the recommended wing span to length of plane ratio? Thanks.

[@wx9dx]

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

[@gtripe]

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

[@carstensonderskov]

Hi again I've looked at depron and it seems that it can not be bend without breaking. Do you know what company is making the foam your using. ? Kind regards Carsten

[@rocker014213]

I break off the foam board when I bend it every time .How to bend it and keep the material well ?

[@InfianEwok]

Also, will you be available on 29 May 2012 7:45 AM GMT for PM and help? Thanks!

[@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... :)

[@firekosccreations8730]

so i made two wings, started to biuld my fusolage when i went to look at other peoples planes...... it seemed like most wings to length ratio is is 10 inches shorter than the wing length.... how do i fix this, or will the plane fly decently with a length of 30 in and a wing span of about 60 in? ( this is my first scratch build.)

[@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.

[@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

[@rosstinney8760]

Still waiting to know what thickness of foam board you are using.

[@clod2692]

instead of foam depron sheets are easy to shape?

[@MrKolche]

Nice video. What is the thickness of the foamboard you use? Thanks.

[@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.

[@learningpower9437]

Excellent video!!! ...I have two questions... 1) This airfoil is flat at one side and with a maximum thickness at 30 % from the leading edge...would you consider this airfoil like a clark Y as shown here : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_Y_airfoil ? 2) When you install this airfoil in your RC model at what angle is installed from the horizontal ? Thanks!!!

[@aayzee9929]

I have a question regarding this, for the wing surfaces, did you removed the paper on the foamboard before you put the tape on it?

[@ممكنتفيدك]

Please, can you name the white board you made the plane wing from?

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

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

[@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.

[@andthecrowdroarsshahhhh]

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

[@nicolaibech2662]

Can you provide the link to the website you bought the Foam boad you made the wing of? I have found some pages, but I can not identify the type of foam board you use for the blade. I live in Denmark and i like that you by your self are making your planes.

[@rickhogg5313]

Hi there Nicolai, i live in New Zealand and have been experimenting with a type of foamboard thats available here, the brand name is JASART artists foamboard, 5mm thick, paper on both sides, size is 5mm x 812mm x 1016mm, one sheet costs $19.00 (NZ), remove the paper and you end up with foam sheet 4mm thick, to get the paper off i had to soak the foamboard in water for several days then rub the paper off with my thumb, messy process, a guy in the U.S.A (YT channel - toojung2die - "Arrow glider"), suggested i spray the foamboard with rubbing alcohol and the paper should come off in one big sheet, in about 15 seconds, i plan to try this, im currently building my own design slow flyer, 800 to 1m w/span, airframe wieght should come out at about 180 grams, we can not get depron sheet here, i could get depron from Australia but the cost of frieght is 2.5 times that of the depron (small sheets ), too expensive, anyway feel free to let me know how you get on and good luck, Rick.

[@iaincox9639]

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

[@ExperimentalAirlines]

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

[@rosstinney8760]

what is the thickness of the foam board and where can it be gotten?

[@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.

[@dkadayinthailand3082]

What kind of foam board is that? Sorry , I didn't catch it in the start of the video.

[@guidokuhn1275]

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

[@Ozbird-72]

I guess if this concept would be upscaled, you could even make very large drone wings with that. Like using Epp board with a thin glass layer.