Turning a Simple Straw Craft into a Hovercraft

Let's build and run one of those straw-based hovercrafts that kids make in elementary school.
Parts sourced from the toy RC helicopter I disassembled last time.

Here's what it looks like in action:


Close-up view:


The construction is extremely rough, but for what it's worth:

• Insert a micro motor into a straw


• Stack up the RC helicopter modules


• Position the IR receiver at the top, secure with cellophane tape


• Tape the motor-in-straw to the side of the module stack


• Tape paper to the bottom to reduce friction


• Attach straws to keep it upright and improve straight-line tracking — figure it out as you go

Explaining further feels unnecessary — just look at the photos and figure it out.

Control is pretty difficult, but left/right does respond. There's no reverse, so if it hits a wall it's stuck.

The simple joy of watching a junk-built contraption actually move.

Update: a real elementary schooler rebuilt it

Beaten by an actual kid...