BUILDING TIPS - Biplane Mods

One of my favorite planes has always been the Classic Biplane and I'm always looking for way of improving the design. Over the years the B. C. Air Originals Biplane has evolved from this (as seen on the DVD)...

to this...

Today's Classic Biplane features a Pull Tab Radial Engine, Open Cock-Pit with pilots seat, instrument panel, joy stick and even rudder pedals (if you like).

New Modifications to the Biplane.

(These modifications can also be applied to the DR-1)

(1) Pilot's Seat.

(BIPLANE: DO NOT DO Steps # 14 & 15 in the Biplane construction manual DR-1: DO NOT DO Steps # 13 & 14 in the DR-1 construction manual.)

After you've cut the hole for the Cock-Pit in B-1 (Step # 13), bend the "Seat" part of the Can straight up as shown.

(Seat bent straight up)

Now bend the Seat "Back", back INTO the Can until it rests against F-1.

(2) Biplane Windshield.

(BIPLANE: DO NOT make the Windshield Slits on Template # 1 - Page 3 - in the Biplane construction manual, DO NOT make the Windshield Slits in B-1, Step # 13 and also skip Step # 17)

On the left is a typical Beer or Pop Can Pull Tab. In the center is a Pull Tab from a Soup or Vegetable Can. Cut the Soup or Vegetable Can Pull Tab as shown on the right.

After you've lined the Cock-Pit with the electrical wire rubber (Step # 16), make two small slits, in B-1, to accommodate the two spikes on the bottom end of the Soup or Vegetable Can Pull Tab. Insert the Pull Tab spikes into the slits and epoxy it in place on the INSIDE of B-1.

(3) Control Stick. Glue/epoxy an electrical terminal onto the end of a 1" piece of 3/32" rod.

(Be sure the electrical terminal has a 3/32" hole in it.) Cap the end of the 3/32" rod with a 1/2" piece of 12 gage electrical wire rubber.

When it comes time to insert the Propeller Shaft through B-2 & B-1 (Step # 33), BEFORE you bring it out the front of B-1, install the Control Stick onto it.

After you've pulled the Propeller Shaft through B-1, and secured it in place with the wire clip, Step # 33 (and your Tail Section is in place) Glue/epoxy the Control Stick to the Propeller Shaft just in front of the Seat.

Once the construction of the plane is complete you can "hide" all of inner workings, within B-1, by sliding two pieces of card stock paper 2" x 3 1/2" (I use my Business Cards) on either side of the Pilot's Seat.

These modifications are optional but they do help to make your planes look good.

* HERE ARE THE LATEST BIPLANE MODIFICATIONS * You can also use a piece of clear mylar as the windshield. Cut it to the shape you want and glue in place, then accent the windshield with tape as shown here.

For those of you who want to add an instrument panel click on the Yellow Helo and send me the e-mail request and I'll e-mail you the instrument panel template.

After you've printed out the instrument panel, cut it out and glue it to the inside of B-1 as shown.

NEW WING STRUTS.

Here's one methiod of eliminating the holes in the wings, and the nuts and bolts, normally used to attach the top wing to the bottom wing.
MOVE HOLES "E" & "F", on Template # 1, ONE INCH (1") FORWARD.

Take SIXTEEN (16), # 4-6 Stud, Electrical Terminals (ET) and remove the plastic end as shown.

Take SIX (6) pieces of 3/32" rod, 3" long, and glue a ET onto each end.

Note that the middle rod has one ET (Left Side) glued on UPSIDE DOWN. These will be the Outer Wing Struts (OWS). Next bend the ET ends as shown here.

* MAKE TWO OF THESE "N" GROUPS *

Now take your TOP WING and on the UNDERSIDE, 2 1/2" from the wing tip, make slits in the Can and glue the OWS in place as shown. (Repeat on the other side of the wing.)

Now take FOUR (4) pieces of 3/32" Rod, 2 1/2" long, and glue an ET onto one end as shown. These will be the Center Wing Struts (CWS).

Bend the ET ends as shown here.

Take the TOP WING again and 2" either side of center make slits in the Can and glue the 4 CWS in place as shown.
(NOTE: The CWS will insert into Holes "E" & "F" in B-1.)

(When you cover the Top Wing with Cans you can put a notch in the Center of theTrailing Edge, as shown above, if desired)

Now working with the BOTTOM WING. Make slits, 2 1/2" from the wing tip, to accommodate the OWS.

Repeat on the other side of the Lower Wing.

Attach the Top Wing to the Bottom Wing by gluing the OWS and CWS into their respective positions and string the Fly Wires as shown in Step # 27 of the construction manual.

Don't forget to install the Joy Stick and if you like you can glue a couple of small Can pieces onto the Main Landing Gear Rod as Rudder Pedals.

ENJOY THE NEW BIPLANE MODS !