24″ wingspan
Class: Scale display model, 1:20 scale
Skill Level: Experienced
Wright Flyer Building Instructions
Click on the Instructions for step-by-step instructions with 38 photographs to guide you through the building process.
This kit includes laser cut balsa parts, balsa strip wood, wire, thread, and Easy Built Lite tissue covering. Also includes a laser cut pilot profile in the prone position, and laser cut engine assembly. To build this kit you will need a building board, hobby knife, glue, thread, and fine sandpaper. This kit is completely laser cut, saving hours of time cutting out parts. The builder determines the level of detail for this model and may need to supply additional materials.
This newly completed model built by Brad Kyle shows off the laser cut pilot profile included with the kit.
“Finished my flyer and added the launch rail and catapult. It looks as close as I could get it. Thanks for all this fun.” – Dean Wilson
Richard Adams added many details to his Wright Flyer, including carving his own 3 dimensional pilot.
” …I have a lathe, so I was able to make pulleys and inserts for the prop shafts so they rotate inside a part of a drinking straw. I also drilled tiny holes for the rigging, and used a needle threader to pull the thread through, I used silver thread so it resembles wire. I used insulated electrical wire for the belts. I made a lever to operate the stabilizers, and that is functional. In case you wonder, I am 85 years young, retired engineer from Westinghouse and computer programmer from IBM.” – Victor Rogers
Construction photos, building notes, and history from Clyde D’Costa.
“Attached are photos of the Wright Flyer D-10LC model kit that I built. I built the wooden wings and assembly from the kit but chose to build the metal parts out of metal stock. A wood stain was used to darken the balsa wood. I used a print of the wright flyer for details. I used a small chain necklace for the chain. I used the same necklace to attach links for the rigging. I used silver embossing thread for the wire rigging. I had a discarded instrument that I recovered gears from and filed them thinner so the chain would fit over them for the sprockets. I used a black magic marker to make the gears look like sprockets. I used wood glue for the balsa wood, thinned Elmer’s glue for the fabric covering, and Sinbad super glue for the metal parts. The engine block was made from a shaped pine wood block that was covered with aluminum flashing using super glue to hold it on. Jewelers files were used to shape the intricate metal parts, and a dremel tool with 32nd drill was used for small holes. Surgeons pliers were used to hold small parts while shaping or assembling. I used silver paint to denote metal hinge joints and fine point black magic marker for the pivot points such as in the stabilizer connecting rods and rudder pivots.” – Roy Bourque
If you’d like to know more about the Wright Flyer and the invention of the airplane, visit these museums online or better yet, in person!
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
Carillon Historical Park & Dayton History Museum
Library of Congress Wright Brothers Image Collection
