Airplane plans

[Andy McKinney]

My granddaughter (two and a half years old) is absolutely in love with airplanes. She has flown a couple times already in her short life and will sit at the window and watch the world below for as long as she can. They live a short mile or so from our local airport and just happen to be in line with the main runway. Whenever she hears an airplane she runs to the window or door to see it. She knows the difference between the sound of an airplane and the sound of a helicopter and the airplanes get her attention every time. Here is my question for everybody; is there any of you that has built an airplane? I don't mean an actual air worthy craft, I just want a yard toy, something that is unmistakably an airplane, small enough to be moved around the yard by hand, yet big enough she can climb in, on and around.  I am thinking something with a wing span of about 6 to 8 feet and 10 to 12 feet from prop to tail. I have found plans online for do it yourself REAL flyable airplanes but I'm no engineer, most of these are pretty advanced and I'm not sure how to adapt them to a simple yard toy. Any help you all can provide would be huge in making her the happiest child in town. Thanks so much.

[Robert G. Higgins]

Andy, CherryTreetoys.com has 2 peddle model planes that might fit the bill. The parts kits are pricey but you might be able to fabricate your own. These are very detailed and realistic looking. 

 

[Don Foley]

Andy, I found plans for a bi-plane swing on ana-white.com.  Here's the link http://ana-white.com/2012/12/plans/child039s-airplane-swing 

Hope this helps in some way, Don