Making the body of a RC helicopter from balsa wood

[Austine-J5]

Holla peeps,in the nearest future I hope to make a rc helicopter. I've done a series of researches and so far things are falling into place but I've just hit a hard rock. All model Rc I've seen are either made of aluminum, plastic or panel boards so am wondering what about balsa wood? Its light so why is it not used for helicopters. Is it due to the torque of the motor or design of the chopper? My design is shaped like a military drone,flat and virtually triangular in shape with two motors on two edges and a long tail sticking out perpendicularly to the motors. so I need your help to know if balsa wood will be good for the design.
Thanks in advance.

 

[milesyoung]

I can't really visualize your design, but I've seen lots of kits made from balsa wood, including helicopters.

Balsa wood is fairly cheap and easy to work with, so why not build a crude prototype first to see if you have any obvious structural issues in your design?

 

[Austine-J5]

My design is like a kite cut into two equal halves with a tail sticking out of the longest side and I'll try building a prototype.

 

[Forensics]

Balsa wood is a pretty common choice for making frames when you are making a DIY (heli/quad/octo) copter on the cheap.

Two pieces of advice, watch your weight and make sure it is held together well. Make sure above all the thing is balanced.

 

[alphy]

Hello,
Thank you for sharing your interest in building a RC helicopter using balsa wood. I can provide some insights on the use of balsa wood in such a project.

Balsa wood is a lightweight and strong material, making it a popular choice for model airplanes and other small-scale models. However, its use in RC helicopters is limited due to several factors.

Firstly, balsa wood is not as strong as other materials like aluminum or plastic, which can withstand the high torque and forces generated by the motors of a helicopter. This could lead to structural instability and potential crashes.

Additionally, the design of a helicopter requires a high level of precision and control, which may not be achievable with balsa wood due to its tendency to warp and bend. This could affect the stability and flight performance of the helicopter.

Furthermore, the shape and size of your proposed design may also impact the suitability of balsa wood. As you mentioned, your design is shaped like a military drone with two motors and a long tail. Balsa wood may not be able to support the weight and balance of this design, leading to difficulties in flight control.

In conclusion, while balsa wood may be a feasible material for smaller RC models, it may not be the best choice for a helicopter due to its limited strength and stability. I suggest exploring other materials such as carbon fiber or fiberglass, which are commonly used in RC helicopters for their strength and durability.

I hope this helps and good luck with your project.