Making the body of a RC helicopter from balsa wood

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the feasibility of constructing an RC helicopter using balsa wood. Participants highlight that balsa wood is lightweight, inexpensive, and commonly used in DIY models, including helicopters. The design proposed resembles a military drone with two motors and a long tail. Key considerations include ensuring structural integrity, weight management, and balance to avoid performance issues.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of balsa wood properties and its applications in model building
  • Basic knowledge of RC helicopter design principles
  • Familiarity with weight distribution and balance in aerodynamics
  • Experience with prototype construction techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Research balsa wood construction techniques for RC models
  • Learn about weight management strategies in RC helicopter design
  • Explore balance and stability principles in aerodynamics
  • Investigate common issues in DIY RC helicopter prototypes
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for hobbyists, model builders, and engineers interested in creating lightweight RC helicopters, particularly those exploring alternative materials like balsa wood.

Austine-J5
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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.
 
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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?
 
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.
 
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.
 

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