Childs Airplane Desk

flyboyid · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:44 pm

Has anyone built from scratch a childs airplane desk? I'm wanting to build something for my nephew and the one I've found to buy just doesn't have the right look. I'm not looking to build a scale replica neccesarily, but I can't start the kid off with his first plane and have it not look at least somewhat correct.

Just looking to see if anyone has any advice or pictures.
Thanks!

Paul Krumrei · **Joined:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 11:06 pm **Posts:** 1757

Something like this?

http://www.netkidswear.com/g81040kidsdesk.html

flyboyid · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 5:11 pm

That’s exactly the one I had looked at. But I just was thinking about building my own, and adding some wardbird like touches to it. Nose art, unit markings, etc.
I'm building him a P-51 pedal plane at the moment but that construction is slow going :lol:

I was thinking for a desk a high wing is best. Maybe something like an L-4 or D17 Staggerwing. An ambitious guy could make a B-17 or B-24...I'm just looking for ideas.

Beachy · **Joined:** Sat Apr 08, 2006 6:20 am **Posts:** 1104

How awesome would a Staggerwing desk be?!!!! That'd be a desk I wouldn't mind having!!! Seriously, it would make a great child's desk.......if you go with that idea, lemme know how it comes out! I'd be interested in one for my niece (you know, if you wanted to build another one!)............

bipe215 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 6:24 pm

A Staggerwing desk? Hope your good with compound curves.

Steve G

sdennison · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 6:46 pm

He must be. That's why he has a kid, no? :shock:

flyboyid · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 6:58 pm

Ha. I can manage curves ok. Now if I were to post a pic of my girlfriend you would see that i can handle those other curves too :wink:

It would by no means be easy to build, but I think it's doable. Just don't expect to see it in the next few weeks. It's just more exciting than a 172 or something.
Any other suggestions?

sdennison · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:12 pm

Flyboy, sabre saw and router, you can pound those out in no time at all. Knocked down, shipped in a box worldwide! You could be rich in no time with you very own "home based" business. :lol:

Actually, if you are looking at the picture, it would be very easy to build. Make some patterns out of cardboard, I'd use some high density particle board, good paint, etc. If you want to emulate a different design, change your patterns some. Fun project for a guy and his kid. :wink:

Sully · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:30 pm

High density particle board is the reason I would not buy the unit.

Why not do it right, quality die board will be more expensive but sturdy and easier to use. Create nice chamfered or rounded edges with minor flaws to deal with. Poly paints to finish and it will become a piece of furniture to be passed down to many generations.

I realize that is not something done much today, we live in a throw-away world.

Sully

bipe215 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:33 pm

You could always go the foam and glass route, and have all the curves you want. Of course, a plastic Staggerwing would be a crime. :wink:

Steve G

sdennison · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 9:51 pm

Sully wrote:

High density particle board is the reason I would not buy the unit.

Why not do it right, quality die board will be more expensive but sturdy and easier to use. Create nice chamfered or rounded edges with minor flaws to deal with. Poly paints to finish and it will become a piece of furniture to be passed down to many generations.

I realize that is not something done much today, we live in a throw-away world.

Sully

Got me! Right material, wrong description. Sorry. :oops:

EDowning · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 11:34 pm

If you want a kid to get a real "tough guy" education, you need to build a Skyraider desk.

airnutz · **Posted:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 11:56 pm

EDowning wrote:

If you want a kid to get a real "tough guy" education, you need to build a Skyraider desk.

Jeez Eric...you wanna ruin the kids back bending over outta the cockpit to write on the
desktop??? He'll get enough chances of that hauling real airplane parts around. Of course, if your thinking in a larger scale he could invite several friends to study with him under the greenhouse.

The Staggerwing would be quite a neat project..quite easy if you start with a good 3-view.

Jim MacDonald · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:33 am

Nothing personal Eric, but I'd say nix the Skyraider idea. All that oil on the homework would probably get the teacher PO'ed (not to mention Mom). :lol:

Mac

EDowning · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:29 am

Jim MacDonald wrote:

Quote:

Nothing personal Eric, but I'd say nix the Skyraider idea. All that oil on the homework would probably get the teacher PO'ed (not to mention Mom).

John Dillinger once said that "He soon found that he could get farther in life with a kind word and a gun, than with a kind word alone."

Just think what a Skyraider desk could do for the GPA.

Warbird Information Exchange

Childs Airplane Desk

Who is online