Create an Easy Model of a 1920s Airplane

1. Create the airplane body.

• Wrap your whole cardboard tube in a cut piece of paper.
• Tape it in place.

2. Make the wings.

• Cut a strip of paper about 3 inches wide and about 8 inches long--slightly bigger than a remote or a cell phone.
• Bend in half lengthwise (hot dog style).
• Tape the open ends together.
• Attach the wings to the top of the cardboard tube.

3. Make the cockpit.

• Tape your bottlecap in front of the wings.
• Fun Fact: This is where the pilot sits.

4. Cover the open front of your airplane. 

• Cut out a strip of paper.
• Wrap around the front end of your plane.
• Tape it securely.
• Fun Fact: This is called the cowling: it covered the engine.

5. Make the landing gear.

• Poke two toothpicks underneath the front of your plane.
• Use tape to secure them.
• Cut two small teardrop shaped pieces of paper.
• Tape them on the outside of the toothpicks.
• Fun Fact: These covers are called "wheel pants." On a real airplane, they cover the wheel.

6. Make a rudder.  

• Cut an oval-shaped piece of paper.
• Cut slits in the top and bottom of the cardboard tube at the back of the airplane.
• Slide the oval in there slits.
• Fun Fact: This is the rudder, it helps the pilot steer. 

7. Decorate  your plane any way you want!

8. Bonus! Make a Propeller (Optional)

• Cut a circle shape of paper to cover the front of your plane.
• Place two toothpicks in a T shape. Tape or glue them together.
• Punch the bottom of your T through the center of your circle. Push your T most of the way through but leave room for it to rotate.
• Attach the circle to the front of your plane with tape.

Adapted from Soar Together at Air and Space. Soar Together is made possible by the generous support of the Northrop Grumman Foundation.