Looking for a super simple method to complete your builds? Here's how to use permanent markers to spice up your planes!
Although they might not look like it, Sharpies (and other permanent markers) are great for adding some detail to your scratch built RC airplanes. No, they're not for adding rivet detail on scale model warbirds, but for simpler applications, you can inject some fun into your foamies in minutes.
Types of Pens
I've always used Sharpies to detail my scratch builds, but you can use almost any brand. Just make sure that they're permanent markers. This type of pen can be used on all sorts of surfaces including foam board, paper, card and plastic.
You can get different thicknesses ranging from ultra-fine to ultra-wide. This is helpful as it makes it easier to create a variety of different designs and trim schemes on your model aircraft with markers alone.
If you're going to get just one permanent marker, make it a black one. They're useful things to have lying around.
Which Surfaces Are Best?
Thanks to their inks, permanent markers can be used on a whole bunch of different surfaces commonly found on RC airplanes. Our water-resistant foam board, for instance, works just fine with Sharpies. The ink is also waterproof, meaning you can even use these pens on seaplanes like the FT Sea Duck.
You'll probably want to use colored markers on white foam to get the best results. White foam board is the ideal place to go crazy and come up with some great color schemes in minutes. EPO foam is also compatible. Even if it's just some simple lettering, the character added to your aircraft can make investing in a few of these pens a no-brainer. They're also useful for adding your contact details to your planes in case of a flyaway.
Drawing Letters and Numbers
If you don't want to spend time designing, printing and somehow attaching graphics onto your planes, drawing them on takes no time at all! They can also look just as good and give your aircraft that personal touch.
With a steady hand, you can write your letters out. If you want to be nice and accurate, you can often pencil guidelines in to help you space out your characters.
You don't have to use just one color! Try adding in some black outlines on colored lettering to create a 3D effect.
Finished Examples
Lightning bolts are easy to draw. If you're building an FT Simple Cub, this could be a fun addition to customize your finished model with.
Sharpies also often work well on tape (see below).
You can actually use markers to draw letters and numbers on scale-looking aircraft. Here's a Vampire with the numbers '74' applied to the nose.
That just about wraps up this short introduction to using permanent markers to customize your foam board model airplanes. If you want to read more on the subject of detailing, check out these other bite-sized articles:
Article by James Whomsley
Editor of FliteTest.com
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