Currently a sophomore student majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Thuy Loi University, Hoang Hieu has built hundreds of airplanes based on prototypes of Boeing 787, 777 or jet fighters such as Su 37, Su 27, F22. These models, made from polystyrene foam with decorative stickers, have an average speed of 100 km/h to 120 km/h and can achieve a record velocity of 182km/h.

Enthusiasts can create their own models with only about 2,000,000 VND or buy a finished plane for about 5,000,000 VND, according to Hieu. However, he advises them to build a complete plane by themselves to feel the excitement of this craft.

Hieu’s passion was sparked in 8th grade when he saw an airplane craft video online. “It wasn't until 8th grade that I was allowed to use a smartphone. Back then, I saw a Facebook group showing RC planes and wanted to make my model own out of interest," Hieu said.

Though his parents were worried about his school results as he was “addicted to video games”, they agreed to buy him an RC kit, but on the condition that he attain school merit. He quit playing games, and focused on studying and tinkered with drawing and designing airplanes on paper. At the end of the year, Hoang Hieu achieved a good student status and began his pursuit with RC planes.

“When I took the high school entrance exam, I estimated a result of 8.5 in Math and told my parents to ‘blow the coop',” Hieu happily recalled.

Although only 20, Hieu has many years of experience in the field of flat-wing aircraft and has a lot of designs as well as those shared with enthusiasts. He has set up a social network channel to share DIY experiences to beginners. Hieu's channels attract a large number of viewers with the TikTok channel "Hieu May Bay" having over 100,000 followers and 1.2 million likes.

Hieu had to practice designing online as his interest was still unpopular. He had to scale down the size accurately, draw them on A0 paper and use Adobe software to fine-tune them. In order to produce unique and special planes, Hieu learned a lot about graphics and geometry through trial and error.

“At first, I made 20 models of the F22 but none could take off. I was frustrated as others could fly, but not mine," Hieu said.

Then, he realized that the problem was his haste in the finishing steps, making the plane unstable and unbalanced. Hieu says that the arrangement of the electric rotor, the components and the distribution of gravity are the key factors. Just a little imbalance and the product will not fly.

"The plane will not be able to take off if the head or tail is too heavy. If the wing is low quality, the lift will be poor. Imbalanced wings make the plane turbulent,” Hieu said.

Learning to fly one is also very important and it took him a lot of time to “take to the sky”.

It is challenging for him to build tractor planes (with propellers in front) and make jet engines for civilian aircraft models. "These two are quite difficult and time-consuming,” Hieu said.

Hieu’s top priority is still school, so his plan for larger airplanes is slowly coming to a halt.

“This year, I plan to create a Boeing 747 model to celebrate what I have been through. But it will also take a lot of time and effort," Hieu shared.

Hieu’s dream is to work in aeronautical engineering to construct real airplanes powered by gasoline engines, instead of foam miniatures.

Doan Hung