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 - April 2026 Edition

  I hope you enjoyed last months BOTM Edition on the OV-10 Bronco. 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 April 2026. Once again in looking back over my past BOTM Editions, I found only one edition featuring a large glider. Therefore, I think I'm overdue in featuring a nice large glider design. In addition, how about something that is not only 3D printable but also powered. Given these requirements, this month features the DG-600 Jetpower, a 3D printed RC model glider designed and sold by 3D LabPrint. The DG-600 Jetpower model can also be found on Printables.

Images Source: Wikipedia Glaser-Dirks DG-600 Webpage.

  First, a little history on the actual DG-600. The DG-600 is a high performance glider, manufactured by Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau as a successor to the DG-200 and DG-400 series of gliders in 1987. In 1991 the DG-600M with a Rotax engine and self-launching capability was released. The fuselage was based on the design of the DG-400 but with a slenderer tail boom, canopy and the instrument panel stood basically the same as on other DG gliders. The control surfaces now incorporated flaperons which serve as both flaps and aileron and the wing had a newly designed thinner airfoil and higher aspect ratio than previous types of DG gliders. Initial problems with critical slow speed behavior could be improved by the use of winglets, clip-on wings or both, but only 112 aircraft were produced until the molds were destroyed in a factory fire and the DG-800 became its successor.

• Actual DG-600 Specifications (15m wings):
• Crew: One
• Length: 6.83 m (22 ft 5 in)
• Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 3 in)
• Height: 1.35 m (4 ft 5 in)
• Wing area: 10.95 m2 (117.9 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 20.55
• Airfoil: root;HQ-35; tip:HQ-37
• Empty weight: 255 kg (562 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 525 kg (1,157 lb)
• Water ballast: 180 L (48 US gal; 40 imp gal) in two wing tanks + 7 L (1.8 US gal; 1.5 imp gal) in fin tank for trimming.
• Stall speed: 64 km/h (40 mph, 35 kn)
• Never exceed speed: 270 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn) in smooth air, 200 km/h (110 kn; 120 mph) in rough air, 200 km/h (110 kn; 120 mph) on aero-tow, 150 km/h (81 kn; 93 mph) on winch launch
• g limits: +5.8 -3.8
• Maximum glide ratio: 46
• Rate of sink: 0.56 m/s (110 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 47.94 kg/m2 (9.82 lb/sq ft) max

Images Source: 3D LabPrint.

  The 3D LabPrint EDF powered DG-600 Jetpower glider by Martin Klöpfermodel (modeled after the DG-600M) with wingspan of 2.6m is packed full of features that will enlighten the heart of any RC-glider fan. It is intended for the more experienced pilot or advanced beginner. It comes with retractable landing gear, four servo wing for optimal thermal performance and aerobatic capabilities, flaperons, and a 50mm retractable EDF unit, that not only gives it self-starting capabilities and a good climb rate but also offers loads of fun in powered acrobatics. Equipped with a 2,600mah 4S battery you will get about 6 minutes of EDF power, but that usually does not mean your flight time! In calm conditions, it is not difficult to make 20 minutes or more just gliding, but in good ones, you can easily get to the thermals within your reach and then attempt (and possibly succeed) to fly them out. This bird likes to stay up!

  With your purchase of the DG-600 package you get Prusa Slicer 3MF files with pre-configured settings (serves as a reference for settings in other slicers too), 97 STL files, and a very nice and highly detailed PDF User Guide (a.k.a. assembly manual). The DG-600 User Guide can be downloaded for free from the 3D LabPrint DG-600 Jetpower webpage.

• DG-600 Jetpower 40 RC Model Specifications:
• Aircraft Type: Powered Glider
• Flight Performance Category: General Sport
• Scale: 1:6
• Wingspan: 2,600mm
• Airframe Length: 1,180mm
• Print weight: 1,300g
• Weight fully equipped: 1,800g
• Wing profile: HQ 25/12
• Center of Gravity Location: 43mm-45mm back from wing leading edge
• No. of Channels: 9 - Throttle, Elevator, Rudder, Ailerons, Flaps, Landing Gear, and EDF Unit extension/retraction

• Additional parts needed to complete and fly the kit:
• Combination of standard PLA and lightweight PLA filaments
• 50mm EDF, 4300KV or similar
• 40A Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) or similar
• XT60 connectors
• 2,600mah 4S LiPo Battery or similar
• 16AWG wire black
• Gold Connectors
• Shrink tube
• Radio system, with at least 9 channels or more
• 12g servo MG90S (x8)
• ESP8266 micro controller as servo way extender or suitable servo with 180° travel
• 800mm servo lead extensions (x3)
• 200mm servo lead extensions (x4)
• carbon rod, 0.8mm × 3mm × 577mm
• carbon rods, 0.8mm × 3mm × 675mm (x2)
• carbon rods, 1.5mm × 6mm × 1,220mm (x4)
• carbon rods, 3mm × 10mm × 287mm (x2)
• 3mm spring steel wire, 200mm
• 4mm × 0.5mm brass tube, 200mm
• 1.0mm steel pushrods, 1000mm (x4)
• 1.2mm steel pushrod, 300mm
• 6x push rod connectors
• M2 threaded ball joint
• 10mm Velcro strip for Li-Po battery
• Rubber bands
• CA glue - medium or similar medium viscosity CA glue
• Activator for CA glue or similar
• Silicone sealant

  The DG-600 Jetpower is a fully 3D printable model aircraft. The hull prints about 70% standard PLA, 30% lightweight PLA, and a little FlexiLight for the tires. Gear and EDF mechanics are 3D printed as well, and you will have to get not much more than some carbon rods, some (okay… many) tiny DIN screws, steel wires, and some brass tubes next to your radio equipment to complete the build.

  Finally, for the scale enthusiasts that want to show some cockpit, the set contains data and a guide to producing your own clear canopy (access to a resin printer is recommended), or you may want to order one from the IFA Supply Store, where you will also find the screws, drives, complete sets and more.

  You may also want to take a few minutes to view a couple nice YouTube videos from the Institute of the flying Arts on the DG-600, and DG-600 Jetpower - Maiden Flight.

  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 and the 3D Printer Humming!!!

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