RE: Converting GP .40 Floats to Amphibious
Actually considered each item you mentioned. Air retracts have small well mechanisms which would be good, but are otherwise a pita. The aft, main, wells are indeed far back and beyond the "dead" area aft of step. Though we obviously haven't got to water trials yet, the installation of the aft well deflector is intended to provide a bit of "lift" at pre-step speed. I am somewhat puzzled about the recommendation for seperate, or additional receiver and power. Was this because of the likelihood of things getting wet? If so, the likelihood of getting wet is actually greater in the airplane than in the floats.
Overall, the project was a sort of a whim arising because the flight simulator had a J-3 Cub on ampibious floats, yet we could find no place to purchase .40 size amphibious floats. We also wanted to invest as little cash as possible, hence the Hobbico Mechanical retracts, which are ubiquitous anyway. The mechanicals are also relatively large, so we figured if we could manage to get them into the very tight confines of the Great Planes Balsa .40 Floats, builders with more experience and a better bankroll could really do some nice installations on these very popular floats.
We appreciate the observations and recommendations...keep them coming!