Doin the DIY.. Foamie Styles!

[SargeNZ]

Lately I have been noticing alot of threads with titles such as "I need a foamie for x task" or "wtb foamie for such-a-flying-style" and it got me to thinking.... Where are the DIY foamie flyers at? Why aren't there more of us? What's wrong with sitting down with a pencil and ruler and perhaps a few figures in mind, before scribing some outlines that appeal to you?

Now, perhaps it's the Kiwi heritage of self sufficence and a 'can do' attitude springing fowarth in my teen aged loins, or perhaps it's a desire to shun the establishment in a heroic display of freedom from the mainstream, but I've not bought a kit made foamie in years. To me, the realm of the flat (or fat) foamie is a perfect place to experiment. The models are simple, easy to construct and somewhat disposable, whilst still having amazing potential for flying performance. With $10 worth of depron , EPP or Blucor, one can discover a creativity deep within that you may not even thought existed. I like nothing more than seeing a model of my own design and conception take to the air for the first time. If it flies well, then it's a great bonus. If it dosen't, then there is a lesson to be had from it.

You will be amazed at the success you can have. For example, I wanted a foamie that would be precise and capable indoors, so I looked around at what was available. Of course, nothing appealed to me, and I didn't really wan't to show up to an indoor event and plop my model on the floor right next to 3 others that were exactly the same. Instead, I took ideas from what I saw, and started to shape my own indoor design to suit what I knew worked, and added a little of what others had good success with. The result was the Kiwi F3P, which came first and second at the NZMAA National Competitions. Not bad for something that cost $20 for foam and materials huh?

Another thing that is great about designing your own models is that you can actually get PAID for it, Chances are that if you like your foamie and the way it flies, someone else will too, and may be willing to manufacture kits, which will have YOUR name on them! The foamie has been one of the fastest growing areas of this hobby for a few years now, and I don't see it slowing up any time soon.

So next time your current foamie is looking a little tired and you want something new.. Don't flip through the latest rc mag, sit down with a pencil. Or if you fancy, Plop yourself onto the PC and fire up that free demo of autocad that you never got around to using. Who knows, what you come up with could be the next big thing in foamies.

Sarge.

[2 Good]

thanks and well put

[50%plane]

Well put! I make my own foamies most of the time.


50%

[2 Good]

how do you design your foamies?