Different Types of Airplane Models

Many people have been collecting model airplanes as a hobby. It can be very fun, especially if the model airplanes are capable of flight. With so many different types of airplanes, you will surely have fun playing with them.

Flying model airplanes can take your imagination to places. You can recreate the Normandy invasion scenery in your mind while flying a model P-52 Mustang airplane diving on enemy positions or you can imagine yourself flying a commercial jet aircraft full of passengers taking them from LA to New York.

Many types of model airplanes vary from model to model. There are model airplanes designed like a vintage double wing airplane to a model that looks like state-of-the art jet fighters.

There are also several types of airplane models. It can be a simple airplane model with no motor or it can be equipped with miniature jet engines. These airplane models also vary from size. The more sophisticated the model, the bigger and more expensive.

There are also accessories that you can install in your airplane models. You can replace their stock engine to a more sophisticated miniature jet engine. Many airplane enthusiasts join a club to participate in airplane model flying events.

People also join clubs to make new friends and activity partners whom they can show off their skills on flying. A club also provides trading for their members. They can trade model airplane parts or a particular collector airplane.

Here are the different types of airplane models:

Gliders – this type of airplane model have no internal power plant. Model airplane gliders are usually hand launched or catapult launch by using an elastic bungee.

Today, there are many launching methods for gliders, examples of these are the discus launched, ground based power winches, hand towing, and towing aloft using a second powered airplane.

Gliders depend on wind status in the environment for effectively flight. A hill or slope is ideal for gliders because it produces updrafts of air, which provides lift to the glider. Another method to sustain flight is by using thermals. Thermals are bubbles of warm rising air created by hot spots on the ground.

Powered Models – This particular aircraft model uses an onboard power plant to propel it and sustain flight. There are many types of powered models. Here are some examples of the powered model aircraft:

•     Old and Cold – The old method of modeled aircraft flight uses an elastic motor. A long rubber band that is wound up before the flight works this motor. This is the most widely used power plant of model aircraft. It ranges from children’s toys to competition models.

The cold method uses a stored compressed carbon monoxide gas. It works much like a balloon when the air inside is released. It is known as the cold method because the carbon dioxide becomes cooler when running, instead of hotter as in most combustion engines and batteries.

•     Internal Combustion – This type of motor is used for larger and heavier airplane models. The most commonly used power plant is the glow-engine. A glow-engine is an internal combustion engine that is similar to small gas motorcycle engines. It uses a glow plug to burn fuel for propulsion and flight.

•     Jet – This aircraft model is powered by a small jet turbine engine. These are used on much larger and heavier planes and uses a mix of A1 jet fuel. It is expensive and fastest among the other types of powered models.

•     Electric Power – These types of aircraft models uses batteries for power. It is equipped with brushless DC motors and a higher capacity nickel metal hydride batteries for more power and longer lasting.

Flying airplane models is an enjoyable hobby for everyone, even for spectators of flying events. It is very exciting to see these model airplane flies. It is also a great way to spend time with your kids and have fun with them.

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