Beth Ashby Moderator Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 A new poll from David Pearce's question! - Does foam float your boat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 I prefer wood - I have foam models but I put them in the 'disposable' bracket - they just get hangar rash way too easily for my liking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hopkin Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 I build predominantly in foam and my best models are Foam not Wood!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 I predate foam, and have never bothered to acquire a foam build skill set. Don't mind small ARTF foamies though, hard work in wood. Look good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_B Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Having been a so-called traditional modeller since '69 I quite like the variation that foam models offer and particularly like learning new techniques associated with constructing/repairing the different types of foam. Also, in some cases, Foamy ARTFs offer a huge time saving in construction (and value for money) with some of the more complex models. Take the FMS 1400mm P-51 Mustang V9 series as an example; How long (and how much) would it take (and cost) to make that particular model in wood, complete with flaps, retracts (inc. tail wheel) and door sequencing, nav lights, sliding canopy etc? The purists may scoff that it's made of foam and is electric powered, but when it's actually in the air and flown in a realistic manner, I defy anyone to tell it apart from a trad built version. I'm not knocking built up models (God knows I've built dozens over the years), but foam does offer a relatively cheap and quick way into the air with the time and money saved put to other uses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Foam......YUK ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Now that I think about it, the blue stuff can easily be formed to say a glider pod. Covered in glass and acrylic, and then the foam melted out. But as for the wee toy things again YUK ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avtur Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Each to his own ... I prefer foam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Colman Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 I fly both foam and wood models. I think each has its merits depending on the situation. One could debate ad infinitum as to which may or may not be superior to the other, but as avtur says, each to his own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon barr Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 I also fly both, but for my "serious" models, (SebArt Angel 50 for aero comps, decent sized glider tug etc,), I prefer wood... Much stronger where larger motors are concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_B Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Wood has no place in a slope racer or Hotliner, only composites and foam will do, timber just doesn't cut it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Shailer Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Never foam, wood always for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trebor Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 For looking at - wood, building - wood, but I like my foam Cub Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.. Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 I've got a coupe of the multiplex foam models and find them good for a fun chuck around. They do suffer hanger rash easily , but a dab of hot glue can often sort out a bad arrival. I'm not a fan of a foam training plane tho, I find them to twitchy in all but the lightest of winds. I enjoyed Trebor's Fun Cub, hope he lets me fly it again soon Edited By Justin K. on 20/06/2015 17:53:41 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trebor Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 You can fly it anytime, it was up again this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Simmons Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 I like wood, but foam is cheaper & flying is more scale like as it's slower & lighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Jones Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 In a word, no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eflightray Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 I like both balsa, and foam, (mainly Depron). I scratch build a lot, and Depron is so much cheaper than balsa, though I still use some balsa where needed. I'm sure there are plenty of modelers, who dislike this or that, generally things they probably haven't tried properly. Whatever the model is made from or powered by shouldn't really matter, likewise whether it is built, assembled, or comes out of the box ready to fly. It's all a personal choice. Some people disagree with ARF, (Almost Ready to Fly), type models, yet most of the large IMAC competition models are ARFs. Many of the lareger 1/4 and 1/3 scale models are ARF, scale turbine models are ARF. What about the glass fuselage and sheeted foam core wing models, are they also disliked by the balsa only fliers ? Personally I don't care what people fly, I worry more about how they fly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_B Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Posted by eflightray neath on 20/06/2015 18:40:27: Personally I don't care what people fly, I worry more about how they fly. Well said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 There's a place for all different materials. I do like a nice balsa, built up model, with a painted finish, but am quite content with an ARTF with a film covering or a foamy, if it fits the job. The poll prompted me to do a quick survey of the fleet (including the flyable models, models in preparation and repair and the kit mountain) and that returned 65% Balsa 17% Foam 9% Depron and 9% Composite (mixed construction) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eflightray Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Posted by Ernie on 20/06/2015 15:40:04: Now that I think about it, the blue stuff can easily be formed to say a glider pod. Covered in glass and acrylic, and then the foam melted out. But as for the wee toy things again YUK ernie 'Wee toy things' ?, but even some of those are in balsa. I build using Depron foam now, and electric power - 72" span Spitfire (TN's plan, and half the weight) 67" span Douglas Dauntless, scratch built 90" span Sunderland, scratch built 98" span Lancaster, scratch built 59.5" A-10 Thunderbolt, scratch built 64" span Mig 1.44, scratch built. Not all foam model are molded ARF/RTF, and 'wee toys'. Just as not all balsa models are slab sides boxes that weigh and fly like brick out-house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Pearce 4 Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 This poll was my suggestion, so blame me! I think foam is ok for the fast fun flyers like the Funjets and dog fighters. I used to enjoy the Joysway Dragonfly but recently they just don't give me the flying pleasure of something a bit more solid with some real presence. It's just a personal view but when my one foam aircraft is written off I doubt that it will be replaced by another. But each to their own. David FFF (Foam Free Flyer) Edited By David Pearce 4 on 20/06/2015 18:56:56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eflightray Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 David FFF, try building sometime instead of buying , you might enjoy it. (I'm making assumptions, perhaps like you are about foam ?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Can you use a razor plane on foam for flying I don't care if it flys well. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.