rvwise

can some one help me with the size and style of floats to build for the gp tiger moth bi plane? the plane ways 11# has a ws of 71" and is 60" long. for a scale look do i need three floats, two mains and a tail float or just two? what should they look like? thanks for any and all input. rv wise

JimCasey

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2 floats.

rvwise

thanks JIM , your reply has got me going down the right path. i like the idea of two floats more than three. is there a way to figure out the the size? i do not have any info on this. is the picture of the plane you posted yours? thanks alot for your reply, rv wise

JimCasey

My Feedback: (1)

Not my plane.

I did a Google image search for Tiger Moth. I found Bajillions of pictures, more planes than bugs, but even a couple of pictures of a pedigreed dog named tigermoth.
This was the only picture of a tiger moth on floats.

Sizing floats: Length of floats is 75-80% of the propeller washer to rudder hinge-line distance. So if it's 53" use 40" floats (typically called .60 size). Your 60" overall length probably includes the rudder and the spinner, so I subtracted a bit.....

Step of the float should be just slightly behind the balance point...1/2" or so.

Wing incidence should be 3-4 degrees positive relative to the top surface of the float. Since you have a bipe and the wings have different incidences, use the average.

I am a big proponent of foam floats. Built-up floats make a good place to store water. So do fiberglas ones, but at least they don't rot. Blow-molded plastic is for detergent bottles, not floats.

Jim

rvwise

thanks Jim. your info has been great! now all i have to do is build a set and maybe i can have a water baby to play with. thanks again for taking the time to help me out. rvwise