UFO Project - Color Changing Glowing Radio Controlled Airplane - RGB LEDs Are Awesome!

I love R/C Airplanes.
I love things that light up.
I love photography.
put them together and you can play at night!



*** WARNING *** people will freak out if you do this project and fly it successfully. Police and air traffic controllers will hear about this if you are successful. That said, don't do anything stupid.

You will need a white foam RC airplane. I used a Parkzone Stryker kit - has to be a "repair" fuselage since the ready to fly version is already painted.
a spool of RGB LEDs with RGB LED Controller - I got mine from www.ebay.com
Clear Packing Tape or Clear Covering material like Doculam or Monokote
Soldering Iron & Solder
4 colors Thin Wire - 20-22 gauge - I used phone wires - they were color coded already. I did learn that the insulation melts easily, so be quick with your soldering!

I used the tools at Tech Shop in Menlo Park to complete this project.
Check it out - http://techshop.ws

Step 1: Build Airplane

Build the airplane according to instructions.
This plane is a Parkzone Stryker replacement body and comes unpainted.

Step 2: Lay Out Lighting

Cut to fit the LED lights. These lights had cut points and solder pads every three LEDs. Lay them out in a pattern that will provide eve coverage. Hold in place with painters tape. It's low tack and can be repositioned a couple times.

Step 3: Solder the Wires Light Strips

Solder the strips being sure to match the positions of the solder points from wire to wire. You can cut them in sections of 2" or 50mm each on the light strips I used.

The pattern of LEDs are face up for now and while being soldered, but they will be flipped horizontally and taped with the lights shining into the foam. This will make the foam glow and diffuse the light intensity of the bare LED.

Wire in the controller for the LEDs - this will set colors and modes of light sequencing. This controller plugs directly in line with the LED strip, but it did need a power source. I used a deans connector to connect it with my 12 volt lipo flight battery.

Step 4: Test Out the Wiring and Make Final Placement

Do they work?

When you are happy that your soldering worked, flip the wiring so the LEDS face inward and start taping them to the plane with clear tape.

Step 5: Cover LED Strips and Plane

I used a clear document laminate called Doculam to hold everything in place after taping. This will be good durable protective layer that wraps to the contours well. It is applied with a heating iron.
If you look closely you can see the "corn light"  pointing to the tail fins from the central area. There are also two Red Corn lights in the back to look like after burners.

Step 6: Enjoy Your Plane!!

Light up airplanes are a lot of fun!
Be sure to know how to fly RC planes before you attempt fly this project ! Flying at night is a lot more complex than during the day. Good luck!