To get started with this fantastist hobby of aeromodelling, all you need is a few basic hand tools like small hammers, a few screw drivers, pliers, a good pocket knife, drill bits, files, sandpapers etc. I am sure we all have such tools in our homes for little jobs here and there. You also need to know a few basic skills of craft and carpentry - a little more than what they teach in the schools! And of course, have patience. The more models that roll out of your hands, the better you get at aeromodelling. But it is important that you make a begining...
You should choose the type of aeromodel you want to build ie. a static model or a flying model. Your budget could often be a deciding factor. Though aerobatic radio-controlled models are a keen aeromodellers ultimate choice, it is always prudent to begin with a basic model and then graduate to an advanced model. This will help you to build up your confidence and the necessary skills in building model airframes. The same applies to static models, where you may begin with basic aircraft shapes and then build authentic 'to-scale models' with operational control surfaces or even minor details like rivets!
Whatever may be your choice, it is a good idea to begin with a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) kit which can be easily procured from leading toy / hobby shops in Mumbai and other big cities. A kit usually contains 'pre-cut' but roughly shaped model parts along with an engineering drawing plan of that aircraft. In case of flying models the drawing usually is the same size as the actual part i.e. 1:1 sale which simplifies things for a beginer, but may not be of the same scale for static models. Now all you need to do is to give a fine finish to the parts and assemble them as per the instructions in the drawning. While many Indian kits incorporate balsa and plywood parts, most foreign kits provide injection-moulded plastic parts. Most kits do not provide accessories like engines, propellers, wheels, spinner cones, paint, glue etc.
One should give due consideration to the glue that is used in the construction of the model. While resin glues like 'Fevicol' are ideal for static models due to their strong bonding capabilities, they have a distinct disadvantage when used for flying models because they add excess weight. Also they take longer to dry. Cyanoacrylate glues like 'Feviquick' or 'Locktight' although expensive, are light weight, instant drying and provide a strong bond and are 'the ultimate' for complicated models. But please note a word of caution as they demand a high degree of shaping skills and careful application. The recommended glue for beginers is 'balsa cement' which is relatively inexpensive, non-messy and quick drying. Epoxy resin glues like 'Araldite' are a must for structurally significant joints in the airfrmes like the mainplane dihederal joint, fire-wall attachment etc. Commercially available rubber solutions are also sometimes used, especially for foil covered wings. Ah, wait a minute, if you are not familiar with all these technical terms, never mind, you will soon pick them up. Click on to the glossary if you want to know a few more aeromodelling terms right now.
On completing the model you will need 'dope' (commercially known as wood lacquer) or 'NC putty' (filling paste), a few grades of sand paper, paints of your choice (metallic or enamel), painting brushes and thinner as a solvent. You could paint your model in authenthic colour schemes used in real aircrafts or can invent your own flashy schemes. The details on paint schemes is covered in the subsequent pages but you should remember that doping not only gives a better finish to your paint, but also increases the structural strength of the model.
You can learn the specific techniques as and when you need them. I am sure you would develop your own working protocols to suit your work conditions, although I have ocassionally described some dos and don'ts in these pages. You can always get in touch with me, if you are stuck with something or want a specific suggestion. To begin with there is no need to buy all the tools / materials brand-new, just get started with whatever is readily available and in due course of time, the items on your inventry would go up. You would probably have your own box of paints, brushes - a few old and a few new, some improvised tools like a sanding blocks or a jig, a box of assorted nuts & bolts, a collection of files, a few engines and spares, several model plans and perhaps a second-hand RC set and so on. If you are seriously interested and have further queries, just fill out the on-line form or drop me an e-mail. Don't forget the free plan of the World War I Eindecker (1915) model, which you can print out on a stiff card sheet (A4 size). Just cut out the parts, paste them together as per the instructions and start painting your first aeromodel. Although paper models have several limitations and are not 'the aeromodelling proper', this ice-breaker exercise would tune you to the true spirit of aeromodelling!
