Introduction: [DIY] Rubber Band Powered Cardboard Plane
Welcome! If you have even wanted to make some kind of toy which you can take outdoors, with just cardboard and a rubber band? Well then you have come to the right place.
A few days ago i attended a workshop where we made a plane and were asked to fly it. Whichever plane flew the farthest won. I decided to take the plane and make it into something much better- rubber band powered. I added a few parts here and there, and to my astonishment- It flew 28 feet!!
After that, i decided to go ahead and make this out of cardboard. Decided it would be a good idea to share it with you all!
This will also be my submission for the "Make It Fly" competition.
Supplies
What all you need-
Tools -
Cutter
Hot Glue Gun
Supplies-
Super glue
Hot glue sticks
Cardboard
Step 1: What All You Need:
Tools -
Cutter
Hot Glue Gun
Supplies-
Super glue
Hot glue sticks
Cardboard
Step 2: Shaping the Plane
I am no expert in making planes - to be honest, this is the first time I am making a plane from scratch, so it might not fly perfectly.
Anyways, i went ahead and scanned the shapes I cut out. Feel free to make them on your own, or you can use the shapes I used.
Step 3: Superglue
After successfully cutting out the pieces, take your superglue and go ahead and apply it in the front (do not attach anything to the cardboard in the from yet, i will explain why the superglue it being put in a bit).
[The reason for putting superglue is to strengthen the cardboard so it does not tear or break while using.]
Apply the superglue on both sides.
Step 4: Attaching Wings
Attach the wings and make sure they are centered and not tilting to any side. Do that with both wings.
Step 5: Back Fin?
Attach the back fin thingy?? (again I am no expert in making planes 0_0) and make sure it is 90° to the back wings. the plane from the back should look something like the plane in the picture.
Step 6: Weights
Adding weights is important, if not done so, the plane will not fly properly. I found 2 soda tabs but you can use anything (coin, metal sheet etc.). Weight will depend on how big the plane is so it may vary from plane to plane.
Step 7: Almost There...
Find a medium-large sized rubber band, and you are ready for flight!!
Step 8: Plane Is Ready for Launch!
I hope you enjoyed making this simple Instructable! Do tell me what I should make next.All ideas will be taken into consideration.

Participated in the
Make It Fly Challenge
3 Comments
Question 2 years ago on Step 2
is there exact measurments to the shapes
3 years ago
That looks like it would be a lot of fun to play around with :)
Reply 3 years ago
It really Is, i can't get my hands off it since iv'e made it!