This aeroplane can definitely be improved by measuring before cutting. I didn't do this and it ended up looking a little bit uneven. This aeroplane will fly, but only if you make it from an ALUMINIUM can. Most canned energy drinks use all-Aluminium cans. This model is not a scale version of any real aircraft. This is my first ever aluminium-built model aeroplane and it was quite satisfying to see it fly.
Materials needed:
An aluminium can
glue
some kind of ballast (use putty or wire or anything else that seems to work)
Tools:
Tin snips or scissors
Pliers
Materials needed:
An aluminium can
glue
some kind of ballast (use putty or wire or anything else that seems to work)
Tools:
Tin snips or scissors
Pliers
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Signing UpStep 1: The wings
Cut the top and bottom off of the can and cut vertically between the top and bottom to reveal a decent sheet of aluminium. Flatten it out.
Now, for the wings, cut the sheet about 2 fifths across so that you have enough material for the wings and enough left over for the fuselage and tail. If this was the original sheet: I___I it should now look like this: I_I I__I
Bend it in half, but don't crease the edge like you would paper. We want the leading edge to be realistic-looking, not flat.
DON'T cut the leading edge. Cut 2 slits in the top piece of the wing, each one about 2mm from the centre line.
Now "roll" the top of the wing further back. This will make the leading edge move from one part of the sheet to another. The wings should now appear somewhat swept-back.
Cut the back of the wing and the wingtips to the shape you want them to be.
Because it was requested, I included a template page which I made on Microsoft Paint so that you can click on it, download the full-resolution picture and print it from paint. Then, cut the parts out and trace them onto your can. I used a 16FL. OZ. 473ml Monster can, so If you have a smaller can it may not fit. I apologise if it isn't perfect, but I hope it helps you if you need it.
Now, for the wings, cut the sheet about 2 fifths across so that you have enough material for the wings and enough left over for the fuselage and tail. If this was the original sheet: I___I it should now look like this: I_I I__I
Bend it in half, but don't crease the edge like you would paper. We want the leading edge to be realistic-looking, not flat.
DON'T cut the leading edge. Cut 2 slits in the top piece of the wing, each one about 2mm from the centre line.
Now "roll" the top of the wing further back. This will make the leading edge move from one part of the sheet to another. The wings should now appear somewhat swept-back.
Cut the back of the wing and the wingtips to the shape you want them to be.
Because it was requested, I included a template page which I made on Microsoft Paint so that you can click on it, download the full-resolution picture and print it from paint. Then, cut the parts out and trace them onto your can. I used a 16FL. OZ. 473ml Monster can, so If you have a smaller can it may not fit. I apologise if it isn't perfect, but I hope it helps you if you need it.
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http://www.instructables.com/id/MiG-21-from-a-Monster-Can/
nose of plane is open?
consider crazy glue to build it. I seem to remember it was claimed o be used to laminate materials to build plane wings on het fighters. How true I do not know but here it would be nice. Clamp materials down tight one drop and capillary action sucks it up.
nice concept I've made Pepsi-G alky stoves, and used soda cans to make other things
thanks, but please make another with a print so they all come out really nice.
truely nice project, if ther a cover on the front of the planes nose?
If you anted to make a lot of them make a mandrel then heavily wax it, or use silicone release, that would allow you to make a really taut shell, the crazy clue would work nicely
but that is just a suggestion.
After you print the plane parts you use rubber cent to glue it on the the flat metal then use Xacto kife to cut out the plane parts,better edges then shears (well usually).
thanks so much for your instructable, glad to see you follow up with prints.
after that a bi-plane-triplane!!! well perhaps not , but we can wish!
sparkie
I wouldn't suggest gluing paper plans to the metal permanently because paper is quite dense and increases the weight considerably.Glue also adds quite a bit of mass.
One could cut a semicircle out of the can-sheet and roll it to form a cone which can be glued inside the nose and stick out a bit to reduce drag and look like a propeller cone, if somebody does this then please post some pictures of the finished product and some steps along the way.
I wish I could make another model different to this one but I don't have any aluminium cans.
Isuggest if there is / are health lubs near by you ask if they sell any of the stuff that uses those cans then ask them to save a few empties. Service stations and parks are another place to look to get'm fer free.
good luck
or gut an old balsa flyer for the plastic prop and add rubberband flying. Your concept has a few nice variables. You could get a simple electric batt system and the motors (they are very very powerful for weight and size. I do not fly planes so I don't know how they would work out.
Great instructable, thanks for sharing!
Went to the Blog:
http://faz-voce-mesmo.blogspot.pt/2013/01/nanotecnologia-para-motores-cubo-de.html
http://www.instructables.com/id/One-inch-scale-Mitsubishi-Zero-sen/