RE: Great Planes Seawind    Gallery
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
    Search This Thread  
 
Printable Version



All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Seaplanes >> RE: Great Planes Seawind Page: <<   < prev  43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 [51] 52   next >   >>  

Tower Hobbies Get Coupon Codes Brands  
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
RE: Great Planes Seawind - 6/8/2012 9:26 PM   
Bob93447


 

Posts: 174
Score: 100
Joined: 9/4/2004
Last Login: 5/8/2013
From: Playa del Rey, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Old Bird,

Can I assume that when you say make a 1" plug you mean a 1" extension of the hull? Did you use foam or balsa fiberglassed? This certainly seems like one of the nicest solutions to date. I totally agree that this is not a relaxing airplane to fly, especially at altitude. It would have been a great plane is GP had made it about 3 lbs lighter or if they had added 30% more wing at the same weight. Right now its more of an obsession than a hobby as I try to get it right. You certainly went through your battles with this plane to get it right.

For relaxed water flying I am now using a Seawind EP and a Polaris XL. Are the Reno guys still using the Res. off I-80?

Bob

Hide Signatures

(in reply to old bird)
       Post #: 1251

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 6/8/2012 9:36 PM   
HUNTERANDJEFF


 

Posts: 682
Score: 100
Joined: 7/25/2007
Last Login: 5/18/2013
From: E. Wenatchee, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Oh, my ears are hot lol! Someone mention me
Ok, I tried the step extention too. At 3" the plane couldn't rotate. Yes, that is true. At 1", the plane rotated and it helped with the porpoising but not much. What really helped were the aileron stock back from the step. Do not attatch them permanently, just put them on as I did so if you don't like them, you can take them off. Also, the "V" hull doesn't help any at all with that porpoising. It makes it easier for the front end to dig into the water and then it pops back up like a cork. Do you see flat bottom john boats and seamasters porpoise? The "V" hull helps with big waves though but I wouldn't fly in those conditions anyway lol!
J


_____________________________

Jeff
The only yard sales I go to is when I pick up my plane from all over the runway!!!!

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Bob93447)
       Post #: 1252

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 6/10/2012 12:42 AM   
old bird


 

Posts: 212
Score: 100
Joined: 11/23/2003
Last Login: 5/14/2013
From: Reno, NV, USA
Status: offline 		Bob, the plug was made of foam, glued to the hull behind the step so as to extend it 1". Then I glassed it and painted it white.

Yes, the Reno RC club flies at Boca every Wednesday, we have a great time and usually make a picnic out of it around noon. I hear you about the obsession with the Seawhore, I just couldn't let it beat me so we kept trying. Good luck with yours.

Hunter and Jeff, sorry the step mod didn't work out for you but it sounds like you came up with a different solution so OK. I think the Seawind came in at least two different weights, some had to add a lot of weight to the nose and some did not, might explain the different results that have come in. If I remember correctly, I added about 8 ounces of lead shot to the nose of mine so the CG would come out right.

Best regards from old bird.


Hide Signatures

(in reply to HUNTERANDJEFF)
       Post #: 1253

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 6/10/2012 12:46 AM   
old bird


 

Posts: 212
Score: 100
Joined: 11/23/2003
Last Login: 5/14/2013
From: Reno, NV, USA
Status: offline 		Bob, the plug was made of foam, glued to the hull behind the step so as to extend it 1". Then I glassed it and painted it white.

Yes, the Reno RC club flies at Boca every Wednesday, we have a great time and usually make a picnic out of it around noon. I hear you about the obsession with the Seawhore, I just couldn't let it beat me so we kept trying. Good luck with yours.

Hunter and Jeff, sorry the step mod didn't work out for you but it sounds like you came up with a different solution so OK. I think the Seawind came in at least two different weights, some had to add a lot of weight to the nose and some did not, might explain the different results that have come in. If I remember correctly, I added about 8 ounces of lead shot to the nose of mine so the CG would come out right.

Best regards from old bird.


Hide Signatures

(in reply to HUNTERANDJEFF)
       Post #: 1254

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 6/10/2012 4:04 PM   
ALO 111


 

Posts: 284
Score: 100
Joined: 10/4/2007
Last Login: 5/16/2013
From: BLOEMFONTEIN, , SOUTH AFRICA
Status: offline 		I fly the nitro planes version but most things seem pretty much the same. Also using a Os 91 fs that always seems to overheat but is really fast. Still needs a lot of space to get off the water ( the method i use has been mentioned here)
I really am not a electric fan but if funds permit i will make this plane electric it will shed so much weight. The lighter electric motor at the back and no fuel behind cg will mean tacking out my old gym weights from the nose and replacing them with the lipo,s
Its got to work, just need to covince the wife why i need a visit to the hobby shop.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to old bird)
       Post #: 1255

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/14/2012 4:25 AM   
Cyntec


 

Posts: 43
Score: 110
Joined: 9/15/2009
Last Login: 1/24/2013
From: Toronto, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		Hi There!

I just pulled my seawind out of the box and started building it (finally). I think it's one of the original versions GP came out with so I'm wondering what tweeks I should be making to the plane that will make it perform better (smoother), be more durable and sturdy than it would be if I follow the instructions in the manual to the letter. I started going through all the posts in this thread to see everyones' suggestions but I just realized there are 1,255 posts! If I go through all of them it'll be next summer before the plane is built. If anyone has any tips or advice on building the seawind please let me know.

I'm using a 2-stroke OS MAX 65AX engine and a 3-blade Master Airscrew 11x7 in. - 28x18 cm prop.

PS. At the beginning of this thread people were saying that the Seawind CAN'T have landing gear if I intend to fly it on water. Has anyone figured out how to have the landing gear installed and still land in water? I have E-Flight electric retracts.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to ALO 111)
       Post #: 1256

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/14/2012 2:59 PM   
Square Nozzle


 

Posts: 1738
Score: 105
Joined: 5/22/2003
Last Login: 5/18/2013
From: Vernon, CT, USA
Status: offline 		I recently purchased a GP Seawind from a friend. The plane has a Magnum .91 on it so I'm sticking with that engine for now. A Saito may be in it's future. What I need from the experienced Seawind flyers is the takeoff technique. On my first flight the take off consisted of a series of water (ground) loops until the plane gained speed and finally got itself straight and took off. The flight was exilerating with a little aileron trim. The landing with full flaps, a piece of cake. Again, the takeoff leaves a lot to be desired. I've read and heard diffenent methods of getting off the water without the on water acrobatics. Some say easy on the throttle. Others say full throttle from the start. I've heard "don't touch the rudder", "full up elevator", move the CG, change the thrust line and on and on. What works?

_____________________________

John

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Cyntec)
       Post #: 1257

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/14/2012 4:57 PM   
jrf


 

Posts: 2622
Score: 105
Joined: 12/30/2001
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Burbank, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Square:

You have already read all of the advice, conflicting and otherwise, so simply repeating it is not going to help you. Clear your mind and think about the configuration of the Seawind. The engine is mounted way up high, so the thrust line is 4 or 5 inches above the point of maximum drag, which is the water. What happens when you give it full throttle from rest? The thrust tries to push the nose down into the water. The Seawind has a nice wide, buoyant fuselage, so the water pushes back and the porpoising starts. If you accelerate slowly, at least until the Seawind is up on a plane, the thrust is more closely matched to the drag and the airplane will not porpoise.

The tip floats are pretty small and pretty high off the water. If a cross wind makes a wing drop during takeoff, the tip float does not have the size, shape and buoyancy to keep it from digging in, and a water loop can be the result. This tendancy is minimized if you take off directly into the wind. (See the next item also.) Some people have added extensions to the tip floats and that does help, although it looks a lot like training wheels.

The water rudder is huge and extremely effective once the speed picks up on the water. Just a touch of rudder at takeoff speeds will cause the Seawind to water loop. No fullscale airplane has the water rudder in the water during takeoff. Many of us have cut the water rudder in half. I removed mine conpletely. Basically, you must not touch the rudder stick during takeoff. That is another reason why you have to take off directly into the wind.

Based on your discription of your takeoff, I suspect the water rudder is your problem.

Jim

EDIT: I forgot to mention the flaps. 50% for takeoff, 100% for landing. Only a small amount of up elevator is reqired for takeoff, and as ALO 111 says, the Seawind will usually take off by itself when it reaches flying speed.

Attachments
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize


< Message edited by jrf -- 8/14/2012 6:18 PM >

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Square Nozzle)
       Post #: 1258

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/14/2012 5:55 PM   
ALO 111


 

Posts: 284
Score: 100
Joined: 10/4/2007
Last Login: 5/16/2013
From: BLOEMFONTEIN, , SOUTH AFRICA
Status: offline 		Jrf has basicly told you all you need to know about take off and i cant agree more. I also dont use a water rudder,full up elevator at very start with slow throttle advance until planning speed . Keep wings level while speed builds she will normaly lift off on her own or with a small bit of up ele . Needs a lot of speed on take off, you can see how this fits in with what Jrf explained about motor location ect. Good luck,have fun .

Hide Signatures

(in reply to jrf)
       Post #: 1259

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/14/2012 6:48 PM   
Square Nozzle


 

Posts: 1738
Score: 105
Joined: 5/22/2003
Last Login: 5/18/2013
From: Vernon, CT, USA
Status: offline 		Thank You guys. What you have explained makes perfect sense. I was considering putting a gyro on the rudder to keep the plane straight but maybe the aileron is a better place for the gyro. It can certainly act faster than I can to keep the wings level.

_____________________________

John

Hide Signatures

(in reply to ALO 111)
       Post #: 1260

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/14/2012 7:34 PM   
jrf


 

Posts: 2622
Score: 105
Joined: 12/30/2001
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Burbank, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I don't think the gyro on the rudder would solve your problem. Any input you make from the stick will override the gyro so if you touch the rudder stick the gyro will not correct for you. And if you don't touch the rudder stick you don't need the gyro. To be clear, the air rudder is not a problem. Even though it looks huge, it is not overly effective. If you remove the water rudder, the water looping problem will go away and you can still steer fairly well on the water with the air rudder.

I don't thnk the gyro on the ailerons would help either, because the ailerons are small and the low airspeed during the take off would make the gyro ineffective until about halfway through the takeoff run. But I don't think it would hurt. Warning; put it on a switch so that it doesn't cause strange effects during normal flight.

Eliminate the water rudder, takeoff directly into the wind, accelerate slowly and level the wings with the aileron stick. You won't have any problems.

Jim

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Square Nozzle)
       Post #: 1261

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/14/2012 8:39 PM   
Square Nozzle


 

Posts: 1738
Score: 105
Joined: 5/22/2003
Last Login: 5/18/2013
From: Vernon, CT, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks Jim, I'm going to do what you suggest. I'll post results when I get back to the water.

_____________________________

John

Hide Signatures

(in reply to jrf)
       Post #: 1262

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/15/2012 8:32 AM   
ALO 111


 

Posts: 284
Score: 100
Joined: 10/4/2007
Last Login: 5/16/2013
From: BLOEMFONTEIN, , SOUTH AFRICA
Status: offline 		You have got me wishing winter away so i can fly mine again. Still to dam cold

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Square Nozzle)
       Post #: 1263

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/15/2012 8:40 PM   
Square Nozzle


 

Posts: 1738
Score: 105
Joined: 5/22/2003
Last Login: 5/18/2013
From: Vernon, CT, USA
Status: offline 		ALO 111. We're moving towards Fall so your spring is just around the corner. Hang in there. It won't be long and you'll be flying again and we'll be wishing the winter away.

_____________________________

John

Hide Signatures

(in reply to ALO 111)
       Post #: 1264

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/16/2012 7:40 AM   
ALO 111


 

Posts: 284
Score: 100
Joined: 10/4/2007
Last Login: 5/16/2013
From: BLOEMFONTEIN, , SOUTH AFRICA
Status: offline 		Yup i cant wait its been a long winter and very dry year, my dam is almost empty hope we have good rain soon. Here is a pic of my dam when full.

Attachments
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize


Hide Signatures

(in reply to Square Nozzle)
       Post #: 1265

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/20/2012 12:52 PM   
Square Nozzle


 

Posts: 1738
Score: 105
Joined: 5/22/2003
Last Login: 5/18/2013
From: Vernon, CT, USA
Status: offline 		ALO 111, that is a beautiful, no- stunning picture. We,re in the late summer cool down phase just before Fall. We've been fortunate up here on the top of the world. Sufficient rain to keep lakes full. By the way, I've always wondered how to you people stay on the bottom of the earth? Being on top it's not a problem.

_____________________________

John

Hide Signatures

(in reply to ALO 111)
       Post #: 1266

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/20/2012 8:10 PM   
ALO 111


 

Posts: 284
Score: 100
Joined: 10/4/2007
Last Login: 5/16/2013
From: BLOEMFONTEIN, , SOUTH AFRICA
Status: offline 		How come all the water does not run down hill to us ?

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Square Nozzle)
       Post #: 1267

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/26/2012 9:59 PM   
Square Nozzle


 

Posts: 1738
Score: 105
Joined: 5/22/2003
Last Login: 5/18/2013
From: Vernon, CT, USA
Status: offline 		Jim and ALO 111, I flew the Seawind today. A beautiful, light wind, sunny and warm day (sorry ALO 111, your days are coming soon). Anyway, I followed your instructions to the letter after having trimmed the water rudder size way down to about 1" in blade axial length. The plane had a slight drift to the right which I believe may be the result of the rudder not being perfectly straight. At any rate, no water loops and a nice smooth takeoff. Thanks guys for the advice. I was thrilled.

_____________________________

John

Hide Signatures

(in reply to ALO 111)
       Post #: 1268

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/27/2012 6:45 PM   
ALO 111


 

Posts: 284
Score: 100
Joined: 10/4/2007
Last Login: 5/16/2013
From: BLOEMFONTEIN, , SOUTH AFRICA
Status: offline 		Great stuff well done, how was your landing? i still need to work on mine.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Square Nozzle)
       Post #: 1269

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/27/2012 9:12 PM   
Square Nozzle


 

Posts: 1738
Score: 105
Joined: 5/22/2003
Last Login: 5/18/2013
From: Vernon, CT, USA
Status: offline 		The landing left a lot to be desired. I was getting to close to the beach and literally forced the plane onto the water. Bad thing to do. Several bounces untill it finally stopped. Actually my first landing with the plane before I modified the rudder and followed your instructions was a beauty. I made the approach with full flaps and literally tried to keep the plane from landing just a foot or so off the water. Once it ran out of flying speed it settled onto the water very nicely. I can hardley wait to get back to the lake.

_____________________________

John

Hide Signatures

(in reply to ALO 111)
       Post #: 1270

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 8/28/2012 11:24 AM   
ALO 111


 

Posts: 284
Score: 100
Joined: 10/4/2007
Last Login: 5/16/2013
From: BLOEMFONTEIN, , SOUTH AFRICA
Status: offline 		There is a good South Africa expression to express the fun you are having " LEKKER" its Afrikaans for everything that is fun,pleasant exciting basically "all good"
So have a "LEKKER TIME" next time at the lake.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Square Nozzle)
       Post #: 1271

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 1/20/2013 12:49 AM   
Bob93447


 

Posts: 174
Score: 100
Joined: 9/4/2004
Last Login: 5/8/2013
From: Playa del Rey, CA, USA
Status: offline 		It's summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Why haven't we heard from the Seawind flyers down under?

Hide Signatures

(in reply to ALO 111)
       Post #: 1272

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 1/21/2013 9:43 AM   
ALO 111


 

Posts: 284
Score: 100
Joined: 10/4/2007
Last Login: 5/16/2013
From: BLOEMFONTEIN, , SOUTH AFRICA
Status: offline 		Servere drought here dams empty while on the other side of South Africa they have floods, much like Aus. The world is upside down.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Bob93447)
       Post #: 1273

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 1/21/2013 5:37 PM   
Bob93447


 

Posts: 174
Score: 100
Joined: 9/4/2004
Last Login: 5/8/2013
From: Playa del Rey, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Sorry to hear that. When is the rainy season normaly over for you?

Hide Signatures

(in reply to ALO 111)
       Post #: 1274

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 1/22/2013 5:59 PM   
ALO 111


 

Posts: 284
Score: 100
Joined: 10/4/2007
Last Login: 5/16/2013
From: BLOEMFONTEIN, , SOUTH AFRICA
Status: offline 		Lol normal rain season should start in Feb.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Bob93447)
       Post #: 1275

Page:   <<   < prev  43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 [51] 52   next >   >>  
All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Seaplanes >> RE: Great Planes Seawind
Page: <<   < prev  43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 [51] 52   next >   >>  




Jump to:


 
Google 



Search | Marketplace | Event Calendar | Local Clubs | Magazine | Product Ratings | New Products | Discussion Forums

Photo Gallery | Instructor Search | Field|Track|Marina Search

Advertisers | Hobby Vendor Resources | Rate Manufacturers | Sign In/Sign Up

SITE MAP!   : :   FORUM RULES

RC Universe is a service of Internet Brands, Inc. Copyright © 2001-2013.

Charities we support that also need your help
Yorkie Rescue | Humane Society | ASPCA | Crohn's-Colitis America


0.984RCU1