S.P.A.D.s

Simple Plastic Airplane Designs

SPADs are an inexpensive aircraft built from Corrugated Plastic (Coroplast), and 1/2" X 3/4" X 1/2" I.D. Aluminum "U" channel available at most home improvement/hardware stores.

Several ARCS members are planning to build, fly, and dogfight SPADs at the ARCS field.  By dogfighting, we mean towing 10 feet of string tied to 30 feet of crepe paper streamers.  The object is to cut the other competitor's streamer with your propeller (NOT...I repeat NOT to crash into the other person's plane) 

The best resource for SPADs is the website:  http://www.spadtothebone.com which has designs/plans for 30 different aircraft.  It also has detailed drawings and AVI files showing many of the aircraft in flight.  The average cost of the planes, excluding servos, receivers, engines and fuel tanks is $10-$15.  On average one of these planes can be built by a beginner in 4 or 5 hours.  An experienced builder can build one in under two hours.

The following members have already built planes and competed:

San Antonio Resources:

96" of 3/4 X 1/2 inch U channel - Home Depot - $9.96 (makes 3 planes)

4'X8' sheets of 2mm or 4mm coroplast - Regal Plastics - $8 for white - $11 for colors (makes 6-8 planes)

4041 Rittiman Rd 210-599-8291

Engine Mounts made from "American Chef" brand POLY (white) kitchen cutting board available at Walmart - $6.96 - makes 10 - 15 engine mounts