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Foam vs balsa RC planes
By Paul Walsh Last reviewed
Walk into a model shop today and almost every plane on the wall is foam. Twenty years ago, many were balsa. Both still have their place.
The materials
| Material | What it is | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| EPO | Expanded polyolefin foam; moulded, tough, paintable | Most RTF and PNP trainers and warbirds |
| EPP | Expanded polypropylene; flexible, very crash-resistant | Small trainers, combat wings |
| EPS | Expanded polystyrene; light, more brittle | Older and cheaper models |
| Depron | Thin foam sheet | Indoor and lightweight models; needs carbon or balsa spars |
| Balsa and ply | Wood framework covered in heat-shrink film | Kits and wooden ARFs |
| Composites | Glass fibre and carbon | Gliders and high-performance models |
Sources: RC Airplane World on foam types and Motion RC's foam-to-wood guide.
Foam: pros and cons
Pros
- Cheap and widely available ready to fly.
- Absorbs crashes; minor damage repairs in minutes.
- Lightweight, so it flies slowly.
- Detailed moulding on scale models.
Cons
- Light weight means wind pushes it around more.
- Flexes, which can make it less precise.
- Dents and "hangar rash" build up.
- Ordinary glues can melt it.
Balsa: pros and cons
Pros
- Stiff and precise; handles wind well for its size.
- Resistant to everyday dings.
- Can last for decades with care.
- Building one is part of the fun for many people.
Cons
- Kits and ARFs take time to build (a wooden ARF typically eight hours or more).
- Repairs take longer and need more skill.
- More expensive at larger sizes.
Which for a first plane?
Foam, almost always. A foam trainer is ready to fly, crash-tolerant and quick to fix: exactly what you need while you're learning. See best RC planes for beginners.
Balsa makes a great second or third plane, especially for pilots who enjoy building, or for larger, smoother sports models.
Repairs
Foam repairs with foam-safe CA, tape and sometimes a carbon rod for reinforcement. Crushed foam can often be restored with hot water. Wood repairs need wood glue, balsa and re-covering. Both are covered in repairing a crashed RC plane.
The rest of the buying decision is in the RC plane buyer's guide. Back to the RC planes hub, or see ESCs and brushless motors if you're comparing power systems too.
Frequently asked questions
Which foam is best for RC planes?
EPO is the most common in ready-to-fly planes: light, tough and easy to glue. EPP is even more crash-resistant but flexes more. Depron is used for light indoor models.
Are balsa planes better than foam?
They're stiffer, often fly more precisely and can last decades, but they take longer to build and repair. Better isn't the right word; they suit different pilots.
What glue should I use on foam?
Foam-safe CA (cyanoacrylate) or a foam-compatible contact adhesive. Ordinary CA melts some foams.
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