Fix wings on a model aeroplane with this simple Letsfixit guide. Sometimes flying your RC airplane entails watching it land unexpectedly, often with enough force as to damage the airplane wing. Unless the damage is so extensive that you’re left with chunks of foam or splinters of wood, the wing can often be repaired. Repairing a wing requires many of the same skills, tools and equipment as those involved in building the wing in the first place. It’s also a good idea to have the plans for your airplane readily available. With the proper attention to detail however, you should end up with a serviceable part that’s capable of keeping your airplane aloft once again.
Examine the wing for the full extent of the damage. Remove any covering material percent and touch every part of the wing to determine if it’s been damaged. What may appear to the eye to be fine may hide extensive damage when giving a slight push.
Recreate damaged balsa parts for replacement. Balsa is a relatively strong wood as long as it’s in one piece, once broken, even repair leaves it weakened. Recreate the broken parts removed from your wing using balsa sheets of the same thickness. Create a template of the part by tracing the part onto a piece of cardboard. Cut the cardboard and place it over a sheet of balsa. Cut the new part from the balsa with a hobby knife, and sand the edges smooth. Glue the new part in place of the old using wood glue, clamping it in place until the glue has dried overnight.