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KMP Beaver: Just started, looking for feedback - 4/27/2006 2:58:54 PM   
butlern


 

Posts: 277
Joined: 5/14/2003
From: Iowa City, IA, USA
Status: offline 		Hello,

I am just beginning the assembly of my KMP Beaver. I'm posting here in the hopes of acquiring some tips and tricks from those that have this plane. I've read the main post regarding this plane, but it's mostly unrelated to my very early assembly stage. So, I'm looking for suggestions from the group in the way of modifications, reenforcements, etc. at the earliest stages.

I think that the ARF looks pretty good, although there are some aspects that could use improvement. I think that some of the formers look like they could be better attached to the fiberglass fuse. Anyone add glass or epoxy to these junctions? Anyone add additonal formers to stiffen the glass fuse?

I also think that the stock linkages for the control surfaces at the tail could be done better. Is anyone using a pull-pull on the rudder?

Anyway, as I mentioned, I've only unpacked the plane and not yet really started.

Any feedback on the assembly would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Noah
       Post #: 1

RE: KMP Beaver: Just started, looking for feedback - 4/30/2006 1:57:22 AM   
bladebender


 

Posts: 120
Joined: 8/11/2002
From: WATERFORD, MI, USA
Status: offline 		would like to here more about this plane also what motor are you thinking about useing. I would like to go gas G26. Rich

(in reply to butlern)
       Post #: 2

RE: KMP Beaver: Just started, looking for feedback - 5/1/2006 1:52:53 PM   
MORROMAXX


 

Posts: 28
Joined: 11/9/2002
From: Panama, PANAMA
Status: offline 		Butlern: Good moorning, I have a Kmp Beaver flying now, it is my first big plane and I like it,
but yes it does need some mods

This is what I did:

1 Got rid of the 2 servos and stock water rudder ( too heavy) and installed a Ernst rudder and a pull pull system using the rudder servo.
The access hatch was eliminated and painted the floats: Water would come in even if I put
silicone on the hatch cover.

2. All hardware, screws, clevis were gone. Bad quality.

3. Inside the fuse where the aluminum tube goes in and the former were reinforced, the firewall was also reinforced.


4. And the most important was to correct the position of the step of the float, originally was 3 inches behind the cg, end up at 1 inch behind the cg, and the wing incidence was 8 degrees so I fix it and made it 2 degrees. Also got rid of that cheap landing gear and struts and made new with some aluminum bars I bought on a web site. By doing so I notice the floats were 18 inches appart and the rule tells you they should be 25 percent of the wingspan, so 24 inches apart, so I dit it that way.

5 The wing strut goes attach to the wing by a regular screw. I put a blind nut in there ( on the wing) and replace the screw. I did this to make the wing and strut stronger, once came off
on flight.


If you have any question feel free to ask, and hope it helps
Sincerely

Morromaxx


_____________________________

morromaxx

(in reply to bladebender)
       Post #: 3

RE: KMP Beaver: Just started, looking for feedback - 5/1/2006 3:14:12 PM   
butlern


 

Posts: 277
Joined: 5/14/2003
From: Iowa City, IA, USA
Status: offline 		Morromaxx,

Thanks for the reply. This is exactly the type of information that I'm currently seeking.

Would you be willing to share some pictures of your Ernst water rudder and pull-pull set-up? Also, your newly fabricated gear/struts sound interesting. I'd like to see those, too, so I can get an idea of how exactly you proceeded with those modifications.

Rich,

I have a ZDZ 40 on the way. I'm collaborating on this Beaver with another club member, and he was responsible for power-plant selection. Throttle management, yes indeed. I think that your G26 will do the trick. Other posts have indicated that the G26 provides adequate power for the Beaver with floats.

Morromaxx, what are you using for power?

Thanks.

Noah

(in reply to MORROMAXX)
       Post #: 4

RE: KMP Beaver: Just started, looking for feedback - 5/5/2006 1:38:48 AM   
MORROMAXX


 

Posts: 28
Joined: 11/9/2002
From: Panama, PANAMA
Status: offline 		Butlern: Ok I have tried sending pictures through RC universe and it has been quite difficult for me, maybe I´m doing something wrong. But if you send me your private e mail I will do so gladly.

My e mail is morro@sinfo.net. Write there so I get it please

I am using a Brison 40 engine, Very happy with that choice. Plenty power.

Thanks

Morromaxx

_____________________________

morromaxx

(in reply to butlern)
       Post #: 5

RE: KMP Beaver: Just started, looking for feedback - 6/12/2006 3:46:29 PM   
butlern


 

Posts: 277
Joined: 5/14/2003
From: Iowa City, IA, USA
Status: offline 		I am just about finished with the Beaver. Thanks to Morromaxx et al for the feedback, and to AKflyer and PaulGC for comments in an earlier thread.

Just one more thing before I put it up in the air... is the CG at 80mm appropriate, or have some of you (akflyer, PaulG-RC) modified this for better flight? Once I set this I'll be ready for wheeled flight, then on to the floats.

As most of you have, I set the wing-float incidence at 2.5 degrees by remaking the float struts from flat-stock aluminum bar. I also placed the step just behind (1.5cm) the CG (at 80mm, hopefully that CG value holds or I'll have to rework the float struts a bit more). Lastly, I remade the wire gear so I could spin a bigger prop (using a ZDZ 40, and I determined that a 20" prop would scrape when the tail lifts on take-off if I used the stock wire gear).

Looking forward to hearing someoneconfirm 80 mm.

Thanks

Noah

< Message edited by butlern -- 6/12/2006 3:48:57 PM >

(in reply to MORROMAXX)
       Post #: 6

RE: KMP Beaver: Just started, looking for feedback - 7/27/2006 2:13:19 PM   
ham870



Posts: 65
Joined: 9/23/2004
From: New Milford, CT, USA
Status: offline 		Hey Guys - Just picked up my new Beaver w/ floats. Just curious on thoughts about an engine. My plan was to use a G26. Will that be enough power on land and on the floats? I see one of you is planning a ZDZ 40. Just curious. Thanks. Ham870

(in reply to butlern)
       Post #: 7

RE: KMP Beaver: Just started, looking for feedback - 7/27/2006 2:31:33 PM   
butlern


 

Posts: 277
Joined: 5/14/2003
From: Iowa City, IA, USA
Status: offline 		Hello,

I did go with the ZDZ 40, and it's way more power than this plane requires. I will say, however, that I have not yet flown it off water. So I don;'t yet know if I'll really need all that power. I also should tell you that I have not even weighed the finished plane. Sometimes it best not to know!

My hope is to fly it soon with the floats. I didn't get the plane finished before our annual float fly, and it's more complicated to fly from water in my area, as the only reasonable body of water is within a state park (must get clearance with Rangers well in advance).

But in general, the plane flys beautifully and it's very easy to manage. Slows well for landing, especially with the flaps... they are VERY effective. Be ready on the rudder if there's even a hint of cross-wind. Likes to weathervane.

Good luck.

Noah

(in reply to ham870)
       Post #: 8

RE: KMP Beaver: Just started, looking for feedback - 7/28/2006 2:37:05 PM   
cf-drg



Posts: 204
Joined: 3/13/2002
From: Victoria, BC, CANADA
Status: offline 		What Morromaxx mentioned are most of the modes you'll need... One mod a fellow I know did was to shorten the float stuts to more of a scale length... What he did was take a 3-view (Beaver on floats) and just scaled up the measurments to get a better looking scale float strut and spredder dimensions... Here's a pic of his..

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_____________________________

Darren loves floatplanes

(in reply to butlern)
       Post #: 9

RE: KMP Beaver: Just started, looking for feedback - 8/14/2006 9:59:25 PM   
sbarbiero


 

Posts: 8
Joined: 7/27/2004
From: TAFTSVILLE, VT, USA
Status: offline 		Looks great guys! Here are a few of mine. I've made similar mods as well. Incidence was WAY off. Also going to use a Ernst rudder. Saito 1.7 radial w/ glow charger. Flew fine of the wheels and with flaps was easily 'greased' in. More to follow.

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(in reply to cf-drg)
       Post #: 10

RE: KMP Beaver: Just started, looking for feedback - 8/18/2006 11:35:52 PM   
akflyer



Posts: 584
Joined: 1/24/2002
From: Soldotna, AK, USA
Status: offline 		The G-26 is more than enough to fly this plane. Mine is a heavy pig at 23# but still flys good on the G26. As others said the step and incidence is WAY off if built from the instructions. As far as the float spread, 18" is scale. I pulled measurements from 2 different full scale Beavers on everything before I started mine as far as spread, and mount locations. Then 25% rule is for sport, not scale.

http://media.putfile.com/KMP-Beaver-v2006

< Message edited by akflyer -- 8/19/2006 1:17:47 AM >

_____________________________

www.depronalaska.com
www.peninsulamodelers.com

(in reply to sbarbiero)
       Post #: 11

RE: KMP Beaver: Just started, looking for feedback - 9/11/2006 4:56:32 PM   
butlern


 

Posts: 277
Joined: 5/14/2003
From: Iowa City, IA, USA
Status: offline 		Finally flew from the water yesterday!

Plane was fantastic. Only a few clicks of down and it was flying true. In my nervousness and excitement, I started my first turn after climb-out without rudder and it was very ugly, so for those that have not yet flown with all the added drag and weight of the floats, be sure to steer the plane with rudder! Same really applies to to wheeled flight as well.

Take off "roll" was straight as an arrow and the plane tracked through the water perfectly. I have also re-set the wing (relative to top of float) incidence at +2.5 degrees. To do this I had to cut and drill new struts. Pretty easy to do. I also added steps up to each door, which also helps make the rigging a little more rigid. Used a single Ernst water rudder with (what I believe to be) more scale pull-pull rigging. It may not be visible in the photos, but I used a tiller on the tail wheel, Spyder wire (kevlar), and Proctor pulleys. Pulleys have to go as they don't roll worth a darn. Trying to locate some (small) ball bearing pulleys, so that the action is smoother (water rudder won't easily return to neutral with air rudder is neutralized). Needs more work.

I have the float step located 1.5 inches behind the CG (80mm). Seemed perfect, too. I have no ventral fin, and likely will not add one. Plane was very stable. Was pretty windy and the plane's size and weight handled it beautifully. Finished weight with floats still unknown (guessing about 17 lbs).

Love the plane!

Hope the photos attach.

Noah

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(in reply to akflyer)
       Post #: 12

RE: KMP Beaver: Just started, looking for feedback - 9/12/2006 12:36:40 AM   
butlern


 

Posts: 277
Joined: 5/14/2003
From: Iowa City, IA, USA
Status: offline 		Well, I spent way too much time on the internet today looking for suitable replacemement pulleys. In another thread, Akflyer, or maybe it was PaulGC, was also looking into getting some smooth-functioning pulleys for their scale water rudder rigging... if either of you two see this message, let me know if you were you able to locate some.

Ideally the pulleys should be no more than 1/4 inch outside diameter. Proctors are perfect in their size, but the brass wheel just will not roll very well when tension is applied. Maybe I just need to ease off the tension.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Thanks

(in reply to butlern)