Introduction: Candy Biplane
- These Candy Biplanes are fairly easy to make and everyone loves them!
- I have been making these Candy Biplanes as presents for nearly 20 years. Kids love to eat 'em, adults love to display 'em!
- They are a little more difficult to make than the Candy Trains (see my other instructable), but with some practice, you will be making them in no time!
- These will be larger (approx. 6 inches by 6 1/2 inches) and needs to be handled with care when completed, so it would be better to give to older kids and adults.
- I have been making these Candy Biplanes as presents for nearly 20 years. Kids love to eat 'em, adults love to display 'em!
- They are a little more difficult to make than the Candy Trains (see my other instructable), but with some practice, you will be making them in no time!
- These will be larger (approx. 6 inches by 6 1/2 inches) and needs to be handled with care when completed, so it would be better to give to older kids and adults.
Step 1: Buy All the Candy
You can buy the Hershey's Miniatures and Peppermint Swirls in bags, but the Candy Bars and Rolo have to be purchased individually.
Next time you go to a fast food restaurant, grab an extra plastic drinking straw for the bracing.
Here is a list of what you need (for one Biplane):
1 roll of Rolo Caramel Chews
3 Peppermint Swirls (get the ones that are in twisted plastic wrap)
2 Hershey's Miniatures
2 Flat Candy Bars (such as Hershey bar, Skor's bar, or whatever suits your fancy!)
1 plastic Drinking Straw
Tools:
A large workplace
Scissors
Hot glue gun and plenty of Non-Toxic glue sticks
WARNING: DO NOT USE ANY GLUE WITH TOXIC INGREDIENTS such as Super glue, Gorilla glue, Epoxy's, etc... The glue might seep into the candy which could lead to disasterous consequences :-(
Next time you go to a fast food restaurant, grab an extra plastic drinking straw for the bracing.
Here is a list of what you need (for one Biplane):
1 roll of Rolo Caramel Chews
3 Peppermint Swirls (get the ones that are in twisted plastic wrap)
2 Hershey's Miniatures
2 Flat Candy Bars (such as Hershey bar, Skor's bar, or whatever suits your fancy!)
1 plastic Drinking Straw
Tools:
A large workplace
Scissors
Hot glue gun and plenty of Non-Toxic glue sticks
WARNING: DO NOT USE ANY GLUE WITH TOXIC INGREDIENTS such as Super glue, Gorilla glue, Epoxy's, etc... The glue might seep into the candy which could lead to disasterous consequences :-(
Step 2: Prepare the Plastic Drinking Straw
The Drinking Straw will brace the Wings and Landing Gears, and will be used for the Propellor and Rear Skid.
Cut it into the following pieces:
- 2 (or 4) Wing Braces - this should be the same length as the width of the Rolo roll (approx. 1 inch long).
- 1 Wheel Axle - 1 1/2 inches long.
- 1 Propellor - 2 inches long, cut the ends at a 45 degree angle.
- 1 Rear Skid - 1/2 inch long, cut one end at a 45 degree angle.
tip:
If you start to cut the angled Propellor 1/2 inch away from the end of the straw, that 1/2 inch remaining piece will be the Rear Skid!
Cut it into the following pieces:
- 2 (or 4) Wing Braces - this should be the same length as the width of the Rolo roll (approx. 1 inch long).
- 1 Wheel Axle - 1 1/2 inches long.
- 1 Propellor - 2 inches long, cut the ends at a 45 degree angle.
- 1 Rear Skid - 1/2 inch long, cut one end at a 45 degree angle.
tip:
If you start to cut the angled Propellor 1/2 inch away from the end of the straw, that 1/2 inch remaining piece will be the Rear Skid!
Step 3: Prepare Rear Tail Assembly
1) Put the two Hershey's Minatures end to end and put a bead of glue down the seam
2) Put a half-inch bead of glue along the edge of the Peppermint Swirl and glue to the middle of the Hershey's Miniatures
tip:
- Trial fit each step first.
- Use lots of glue: the more glue, the stronger the plane.
- Don't hesitate, as soon as you put the glue on, stick the pieces together!
2) Put a half-inch bead of glue along the edge of the Peppermint Swirl and glue to the middle of the Hershey's Miniatures
tip:
- Trial fit each step first.
- Use lots of glue: the more glue, the stronger the plane.
- Don't hesitate, as soon as you put the glue on, stick the pieces together!
Step 4: Prepare the Landing Gear Assembly
1) Put a blob of glue on the face of a Peppermint Swirl and stand one end of the 1 1/2" Landing Gear Axle on it.
2) Set it aside to dry (you will glue the other wheel in a later step)
tip:
- The Peppermint Swirls have two faces, one with the seam (where the two ends of the plastic wrap overlaps) and the other side with no seam. I found out that it is better to glue the axle to the side with no seam .
2) Set it aside to dry (you will glue the other wheel in a later step)
tip:
- The Peppermint Swirls have two faces, one with the seam (where the two ends of the plastic wrap overlaps) and the other side with no seam. I found out that it is better to glue the axle to the side with no seam .
Step 5: Prepare the Bottom Wing Assembly
1) Put a blob of glue near the ends of the Flat Candy Bar and immediately place the wing braces in them.
2) Put a wide bead of glue down the middle of the Candy Bar and place the Rolo roll on it. Make sure to have 1/4" of the Rollos roll (or the gold foil portion) overhang past the front of the wing. The gold foil will become the Engine Cowling (engine cover).
tip:
- Position the Candy Bar and Rolo roll so that the large logo's can be seen from the top and side.
2) Put a wide bead of glue down the middle of the Candy Bar and place the Rolo roll on it. Make sure to have 1/4" of the Rollos roll (or the gold foil portion) overhang past the front of the wing. The gold foil will become the Engine Cowling (engine cover).
tip:
- Position the Candy Bar and Rolo roll so that the large logo's can be seen from the top and side.
Step 6: Complete the Landing Gear Assembly
By this time, the glue should be dry and strong to add the other wheel to the Landing gear Assembly.
1) Put a blob of glue on the other Peppermint Swirl (on the face with no seam).
2) Flip the completed Wheel & Brace onto it's side and press the newly glued Wheel onto the Brace. The whole assembly should be able to stand on it's own.
tip:
- Position the twists so that they match on both wheels.
1) Put a blob of glue on the other Peppermint Swirl (on the face with no seam).
2) Flip the completed Wheel & Brace onto it's side and press the newly glued Wheel onto the Brace. The whole assembly should be able to stand on it's own.
tip:
- Position the twists so that they match on both wheels.
Step 7: Prepare the Top Wing Assembly
1) Flip over the completed bottom wing assembly (the Biplane will be upside down)
2) Place the Top Wing upside down on the work surface
3) With one hand holding the Glue Gun and the other hand holding the Rolo, hover the Bottom Wing over the Top Wing and place a blob of glue under each wing brace. (this is the fastest way I found to place the glue where the braces will meet the top wing)
4) Place a wide seam of glue down the middle of the top Wing and place the whole Bottom Wing Assembly onto the Top Wing
tip:
-Position the Candy Bar logo so that the top and bottom wings match.
- If you want to use a stick-on Gift Tag, you can place it on the bottom of the Wing or on the Rolo roll opposite side of the Rolo logo.
Step 8: Attach the Landing Gear Assembly
1) Place a half-inch seam of glue on the same side of both Wheels and place the whole assembly on the middle fo the Bottom Wing.
tip:
- Position the twists so that they lie parallel with the wing, so that they are out of the way when the Biplane is upright.
tip:
- Position the twists so that they lie parallel with the wing, so that they are out of the way when the Biplane is upright.
Step 9: Rear Skid Placement
1) Put a blob of glue on the far end of the Rollos roll and place the 1/2" angled straw (Landing Skid) on it.
2) Wait for everything to dry completely (takes around a couple of minutes)
tip:
- While you are waiting, you can trim the excess glue "strings" with scissors.
2) Wait for everything to dry completely (takes around a couple of minutes)
tip:
- While you are waiting, you can trim the excess glue "strings" with scissors.
Step 10: Attach the Rear Tail Assembly
1) Turn the Biplane over once everything is dry and strong underneath.
2) Put a wide seam of glue on the top of the Rollos roll and place the Rear Tail assembly on it.
tip:
- You might have to hold the Rear Tail Assembly in position for a few seconds until the glue starts to take hold.
2) Put a wide seam of glue on the top of the Rollos roll and place the Rear Tail assembly on it.
tip:
- You might have to hold the Rear Tail Assembly in position for a few seconds until the glue starts to take hold.
Step 11: Attach the Propeller
1) Put a bead of glue on the front of the Rollos roll
2) Place the 2" angled Straw (Propeller) onto the glue
3) Trim away any excess glue "strings" and you are done!!!
tip:
- You can position it any way you like, but I think having the Propeller at a 45 degree angle looks best.
2) Place the 2" angled Straw (Propeller) onto the glue
3) Trim away any excess glue "strings" and you are done!!!
tip:
- You can position it any way you like, but I think having the Propeller at a 45 degree angle looks best.
Step 12: Sport Biplane Variation
By repositioning the wings and wheels, you can make a Staggerwing Sportplane variation.
Step 13: Triplane Variation
By adding an additional wing (using the same method in step 7 above) you can make the famous Red Baron's triplane.
Step 14: Hanging Out at the Office
Here are pictures of Candy Biplanes that a co-worker hung on fishing line from the overhead ceiling tiles. (see if you can find the Paperclip Wing Walkers!)