Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips?  
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Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 7/6/2006 3:04:54 PM   
ryan_m



Posts: 49
Joined: 4/9/2006
From: Little Rock, AR, USA
Status: offline 		Anybody got any advice for a brand new seaplane flier? I just purchased the Neptune ARF. Kit looks great, nice construction, great covering job, instructions aren't too great though. I am hoping for some construction tips from others who might have put one of these together, and flying tips from anyone who has flown one...

thanks!

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RE: Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 7/8/2006 3:48:56 AM   
SKYPILOT


 

Posts: 705
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Perris, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Hey Ryan,

Between my Father and i we have 4 Neptunes right now, and the 5th (actually the 1st RIP) one. so we know our way around them. Yeah, the included manual is as bad as a fart in church, but once you start working on it, you quickly find out that you really don't even need it, as is goes together that well. Just start with the wings, and the spar pieces. NOTE, the spar pieces do have dihedral, so make sure their orented correctly when you glue them together. from there, just use a logical path and work your way out from that central starting point.

There is another Neptune thread on this same subject where i discribed in alot more detail how we went about it. If you get stuck, pm me your number and i can walk you through the steps no problem. What color did you get?? We have 2 blue and yellow ones and 2 white ones right now. My Father went a little crazy with his white one and really decked it out, all red white and blue patriotic thing, and it's beautiful You'll LOVE the thing when you finish it, their a blast to fly!!

< Message edited by SKYPILOT -- 7/8/2006 3:50:37 AM >

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Regards, Scott

(in reply to ryan_m)
       Post #: 2

RE: Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 7/8/2006 7:41:08 PM   
ryan_m



Posts: 49
Joined: 4/9/2006
From: Little Rock, AR, USA
Status: offline 		what size engine did you put in them? It seems like a big plane for just a little 46 size... I was thinking about maybe putting a .60 or maybe a Webra .55 in it. I am fairly new to R/C, this will be my 5th plane, most of my others are all .40 sized as well but weigh in the 5lb range so this just seemed a bit heavy.

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RE: Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 7/9/2006 12:04:13 AM   
SKYPILOT


 

Posts: 705
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Perris, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Ryan,

My Dad has the OS-46AX in both of his, Mine has the OS-50SX......These engines are MORE THAN ENOUGH POWER!!! keep in mind that the Neptune airframe is VERY light, the lightest of all the clone series. Using anything larger in engines will only add weight and shorten flight time. Adding weight will only raise the wingloading and adversely affect landing performance. There is a guy in our club that has a Neptune with an old Magnum 40 in his, and his flys fine. Trust me on this one, put in an OS 46 or 50 and go have a ball with it.

The ONLY reason i did'nt also put a 46AX in mine is, i prefure ringed engines over non ringed engines.......The 50SX also has a better carb., but thats really nitpicking at that point, because the 46AX is a wonderful engine and very powerful, and gets a little better fuel milage than the 50SX..

I have never seen the Webra you mentioned, so i can't comment on it, other then to say, if it's larger and heavier then the two OS's i mentioned, DON'T use it. Remember, think light, and the plane will reward you with fantastic performance. Get it heavy and you will be frustrated and disapointed with a plane that has short flight times, fast landing speeds and a tendency to snap if slowed too much.

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Regards, Scott

(in reply to ryan_m)
       Post #: 4

RE: Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 7/9/2006 4:57:13 AM   
ryan_m



Posts: 49
Joined: 4/9/2006
From: Little Rock, AR, USA
Status: offline 		Ok, I'll stick with a .46ax probably then. Just out of curiosity how long are the take off runs? There is a smallish neighborhood lake very near me that I have thought about trying to fly it off of once I get a bit of experience with it. The lake is probably 5-600 feet across at the widest point, depending on wind direction the narrowest width would be 150-200 feet. I would think that is enough, but have no experience to judge from....

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RE: Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 7/9/2006 5:46:24 AM   
SKYPILOT


 

Posts: 705
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Perris, CA, USA
Status: offline 		OHH, those lake dims. are no problem at all.

Our planes will rotate in as little as 25-30 ft. if we just whack the throttle from idle to hammerdown and are aggresive with elev. input.........but generally when advancing throttle in a smooth progression and a smooth elev. input, they rotate gracefully in about 80-100 ft. or less.

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Regards, Scott

(in reply to ryan_m)
       Post #: 6

RE: Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 9/22/2006 3:46:39 AM   
Brew07


 

Posts: 46
Joined: 3/1/2006
From: Penticton, BC, CANADA
Status: offline 		Hey guys

I have the Neptune on order. I would like to know if I need aileron extensions? How long? Where dose the servo go for the throttle would I need a extension for that as well?
Thanks

(in reply to SKYPILOT)
       Post #: 7

RE: Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 9/22/2006 1:41:52 PM   
ryan_m



Posts: 49
Joined: 4/9/2006
From: Little Rock, AR, USA
Status: offline 		throttle servo goes directly behind the engine itself. In the pod up on top. I used a Hitec HS-81 for mine and had to make a custom mount. It is already cut for a standard size servo. You will need an extension, it runs down the pylon for the engine pod, a 12" will do the trick.

The wing servos mount just outside the fuselage a few inches on the innermost part of the ailerons. I used a short 6" extension off of the receiver to make connecting them easier.

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RE: Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 11/3/2006 4:39:50 AM   
Brew07


 

Posts: 46
Joined: 3/1/2006
From: Penticton, BC, CANADA
Status: offline 		Hey guys I would like to know if you used the stock push rods or did you upgrade? Thinking of trying the new OS .55 ax in the Neptune. When I looked at the Neptune for the first time was impressed with the covering and how light it is. Sure is well put together. I did find the servo tray was not glued in one place but wow what a nice finish. Can't wait to get her together an flying. Any tips on putting it together or mods you have done let me know. Thanks

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       Post #: 9

RE: Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 11/5/2006 5:17:44 AM   
Carlos Murphy


 

Posts: 1374
Joined: 12/27/2001
From: Gardnerville, NV, USA
Status: offline
I used carbon rods in my SeaMaster (same as a Neptune but amphibious) and a OS 50 FX.

Had a second wing with two Thunder Tiger 36 Pro's and Lanier Mariner wing floats.

I use a epoxy syringe to run a bead of grease around the wing saddle AFTER the wing is installed, don't rely on wing saddle tape to keep the water out. When you remove the wing just wipe off the grease with a paper towel.

(in reply to Brew07)
       Post #: 10

RE: Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 11/14/2006 5:53:07 PM   
manix


 

Posts: 32
Joined: 9/11/2002
From: guatemala, GUATEMALA
Status: offline 		Hello Scott,

A friend liked my Seamaster 40 and is thinking of purchasing one. If I remember correctly you also had a SM40 but now I read you all have 4 Neptune's.

What do you like better on the Neptune vrs SM40? He may be better off purchasing one of those I guess...

Thanks

Manuel

(in reply to Carlos Murphy)
       Post #: 11

RE: Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 11/15/2006 2:20:19 AM   
SKYPILOT


 

Posts: 705
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Perris, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Hi manix,

Well, from a flying standpoint, they fly VERY similar, with a slight edge going to the Neptune. It comes out lighter when done, and lighter is always better. From a construction standpoint, the Neptune gets a much bigger nod. The airframe is lighter, stronger, and stiffer, and that adds up to a higher overall quallity plane.

(disclaimer) Just so the Seamaster guys don't get their feathers ruffled over my above statement, remember, this is just my opinion, based on having had and flown both. It's NOT a knock! A larger number of my flying buddies have Seamasters than Neptunes, and are VERY happy with them. But manix asked me a direct question, so i gave a direct answer. Ok, disclaimer off

My latest Neptune is REALLY over the top!! I put high end JR digitals on ALL flight surfaces, a high powered OS-50 SX, on Coolpower 30% heli fuel, and it just SCREAMS It's VERY light and powerfull, and has unlimited vertical. I also set it up with a VERY aft C/G (which i deffinitely don't recommend), so it tumbles and and spins like a blur. But in low rates, it is smooth and precise like a pattern plane. MAN, i love flying that plane

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Regards, Scott

(in reply to manix)
       Post #: 12

RE: Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 11/15/2006 2:56:37 AM   
Brew07


 

Posts: 46
Joined: 3/1/2006
From: Penticton, BC, CANADA
Status: offline 		I am going to try a Saito 72 in my neptune. The weight differance between my 46ax and the saito are with in a few onces.

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       Post #: 13

RE: Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 11/15/2006 3:13:53 AM   
manix


 

Posts: 32
Joined: 9/11/2002
From: guatemala, GUATEMALA
Status: offline 		Tks for the detailed info Scott, thats exactly what I was looking for.

If I still may...

What is your Neptune's weight?

Did you reinforce the tail?

Brgds

Manix


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       Post #: 14

RE: Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 11/15/2006 3:55:54 AM   
Carlos Murphy


 

Posts: 1374
Joined: 12/27/2001
From: Gardnerville, NV, USA
Status: offline 		JFYI,

I like the versatility of my SeaMaster, land and sea. You may think the tail would drag on the runway on landing with the short main gear but it doesn't.

(in reply to manix)
       Post #: 15

RE: Neptune ARF advice on 1st seaplane? Construction tips? - 12/2/2006 1:14:59 AM