I attend Alpena High School and am a 10th grader. I wanted to create my own blimp or air ship without using a motor and using balloons. I created a flying air ship that propelled from wind and stays aloft using balloons. I used Fushion 360 to designed my parts printed out using a 3D printer. Then I used the printed parts and assembled flying air ship!

This project was fun to learn from and how many balloons you will really need to use. It was interesting to see how changing the smallest variables changed the weight. I hope you enjoy this project as much as I did.

Supplies

Paper

Hot glue

Scissors

3D printer

If you dont own a 3D printer check in with your local school. I checked in with my local school and they were happy to help!

3D print film

Several Balloons

Helium

String

Step 1: Parts Set Up

3D Print the following parts out:

Ship

Wings X2

Tail

Wings.stl
Download %22 data-embed-filename="Wings.stl">View in 3D
Ship.stl
Download %22 data-embed-filename="Ship.stl">View in 3D
Tail.stl
Download %22 data-embed-filename="Tail.stl">View in 3D

Step 2: Assembling the Wings

1st. Trace a wing on the paper

2nd. Hot Glue the end of the paper and stick it to the wings for 20 seconds.

3rd. Repeat steps 1- 2 on each wing (4 in total )

4th. Hot Glue the wing into the hole on the designated side of the ship

Side Notes: When gluing wings check to make sure the farthest hole (from the back) wings are pointed up (check Picture of wing for top and bottom) and the hole closest to the back top of wings are facing down.

Step 3: Assembling Tail

1st. Cut out 2 x 1 inches (Length x width)

2nd. Glue paper 1/4 inch down from top and glue bottom above the circle

3rd. Glue tail 3/4 of an inches from the back

Now your ship is complete!

Step 4: Flying

1st. Gather Several Balloons (I used 9 inch balloons)

2nd. Fill balloons with helium and tie a sting onto the balloon

3rd. Tie the string on the left front of ship there will be little half circles to tie onto cut extra string from tying onto the ship (this will help with less weight)

4th. Continue Putting balloons on the front of ship even out the balloons so its the same on each side. Keep adding balloons till the front lifts up. ( This is to keep the ship weight equal )

5th. Once the front is lifting add balloons to the back of the ship

6th. Keep adding balloons till it lifts ( I used 32 balloons in total but this will vary based on the 3D print filament and the string weight) there is a loop in the back of the ship you can put a string on so the ship doesn't get away from you.

Enjoy your Flying Airship!