My “Build of the Month” (BOTM) Series was created to help those who are trying to get started in building their own Radio Controlled (RC) Model Aircraft.

  "Aerofred.com" and "Outerzone.co.uk" are two of my favorite web sites to obtain free RC model airplane plans for my new builds. Additionally, they like to post images of Builder's models, and both sites have posted my RC model images and build descriptions under the heading of the associated aircraft model. Other good sources for free plans are: "Hip Pocket Aeronautics Builders' Plan Gallery", "Vintage & Old-Timer RCM Free Plans", "James Hatton Blog Free Plans and Articles", "Hlsat Blog RCModeler Free Plans and Articles", and "Don Dewey Memorial RCM Plans Collection."

  If you are currently not an active builder, and you would like to be, my BOTM Series is a great place to start. If you have an RC model aircraft that you would like to see featured in this section or feel others may find interesting, please let me know and I will make every attempt to find scratch build plans, photos, and maybe even a published build article, which I will then post in one of my future BOTM editions. Just send me an email @: Build of the Month.

Build of the Month Series - June 2026 Edition

  I hope you enjoyed last months BOTM Edition on the Douglas A-26 Invader. If you have an RC model that you would like to see featured in this section or feel others may find interesting, please let me know and I will make every attempt to find scratch build plans, images, and maybe even a published build article, which I will then post in a future edition. Just send me an email @: Build of the Month.

  Ok, now lets see what I have for the month of June 2026. How about we get back to something that is a very easy and fast to build RC model; can be powered using Glow fuel, electric, or even flown as a glider; can be flown at small fields and is easy to transport in your car; and for those that don't want to try a scratch build, the RC model is available to purchase as a very nice kit with excellent plans and instructions. Given these requirements, this month features the Andy Clancy Yard Bee, another great model from Andy Clancy Aviation.

Images Source: Andy Clancy Designs Gallery Webpage, and Outerzone Yard Bee Webpage.

  This highly maneuverable slow flying RC model plane flies just like its bigger brother the Lazy Bee. You know: Oversized control surfaces, hands-off stability, extremely low minimum flying speed, and easy aerobatics. It can be powered by Glow fuel engines from as little as .010 or up to .10 size, or the equivalent size electric power. It can be flown in very small places because it has a very low wing loading and oversize control surfaces.

• Andy Clancy Yard Bee Specifications:
• Aircraft Type: Park Flyer
• Flight Performance Category: General Sport
• Wing Span: 29″
• Wing Chord: 10″
• Total Wing Area: 270 sq. in. (approx.)
• Wing Location: Top-Fuselage Wing
• Airfoil: Flat Bottom
• Fuselage Length: 21.25″
• Fuselage Width: 3.35″
• Horizontal Stabilizer Span: 16.5″
• Horizontal Stabilizer Area: 69 sq. in.
• Vertical Stabilizer Height: 7.25″
• Center of Gravity Location: 2.75″ (70mm) back from wing leading edge
• Required No. of Channels: 3 - Throttle, Rudder, and Elevator
• Landing Gear: Bent 1/16″ (1.5mm) Music Wire Tail Dragger
• Ready to Fly Weight: 6-12 oz. depending on power system selection
• Glow Fuel Engines: .010 or up to .10 cu. in. two-stroke
• Fuel Tank Size: 2 oz. Sullivan Flex Tank
• Electric Powered: Output of 40-200 watts, 11-40 Amp ESC, 2-cell 450 mah LiPo pack or 3-cell LiPo pack sized 850-1,500 mah.

  The Yard Bee RC model in this months BOTM Edition can be built from a set of plans that are available @: AeroFred Yard Bee webpage, or the Outerzone Yard Bee webpage.

  Note as of 2024, a new kit of the Yard Bee (all laser-cut interlocking parts) is available from Andy Clancy Designs. The plans referenced above are the old 1999 Yard Bee kit plan.

  After a quick review of the Yard Bee plans I found that as with all the Andy Clancy plans, the Yard Bee is a straight forward, quick and simple build that will not only require minimal materials and hardware, but will require little prior scratch build experience.

  You may want to take a few minutes and review a 150% Yard Bee Build Log on: RCGroups. It contains an interesting video where the Yard Bee (in the image below) is viewed from a quad copter during the flight.

Image Source: RCGroups.

  I hope you have enjoyed this months selection, and just maybe, I have spurred some interest in trying your hand at building an RC model airplane.

Until next month - Keep the Balsa Dust Flying!!!

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