Anybody flying a large 1/4 or 1/3 scale floater
12-04-2002, 05:04 PM
#1
Anybody flying a large 1/4 or 1/3 scale floater
I'm thinking about turning a 110" Sig Rascal into a float plane just for the heck of it and a lot of wow. I would be interested in some general comments from anyone flying giantscale float planes. I have a fair amount of 1/4 scale flight experience. What would be the feasability/idiocy of having my first float plane be a giantscale plane. thanks.
12-12-2002, 03:43 PM
#3
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1/4 scale floaters
The bigger they are the better they are on floats ! We fly 1/4 scale Robins, Big Lazy Ace's. Use Zenoah G23 and G38's. These large planes love floats and are a ball to fly. Try to find Chuck Cunninghams articles on float construction and installation. We have the best luck using SIG floats. Not such great luck with GP floats. Antique
12-12-2002, 10:48 PM
#6
Anybody flying a large 1/4 or 1/3 scale floater
"OVER" powered???
When it comes to power, too much is not enough. They ain't overpowered until the engine torque overrides the ailerons.
But seriously, STMs are rated from a .40 2-stroke up, with a .60 2-stroke or .90- 4-stroke the most favored choice.
I can't go vertical. But I can take off from water in 8 feet. If I don't feel like walking all the way down to the lake, I just punch it and take off from the grass. (jpg attached)
When it comes to power, too much is not enough. They ain't overpowered until the engine torque overrides the ailerons.
But seriously, STMs are rated from a .40 2-stroke up, with a .60 2-stroke or .90- 4-stroke the most favored choice.
I can't go vertical. But I can take off from water in 8 feet. If I don't feel like walking all the way down to the lake, I just punch it and take off from the grass. (jpg attached)
12-15-2002, 03:11 PM
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Anybody flying a large 1/4 or 1/3 scale floater
I'm flying the Unionville Otter with an 8 ft. WS, using a Saito 150GK on 1/4 scale cub floats and it works great.
12-21-2002, 09:18 PM
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Anybody flying a large 1/4 or 1/3 scale floater
I have a Balsa USA 1/3 scale Super Cub on floats powered by a ZDZ 80 gas engine. I have a 1/4 scale Sig J-3 Cub on floats and a 1/4 scale Husky (Byron's kit). All perform very well and are a joy to fly. I am lucky to live by a lake so alot of my flying is from water.I suggest that any model (bigger the better) will be very easy to fly and enjoy. Regards,and happy holidays, Don Panek
12-21-2002, 09:27 PM
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Otter
Sorry about this reply, but I want to see more pics of Caspers Otter. Get some of those photos on the gallery under aircraft. 
and tell us a little more about it...
and tell us a little more about it...
12-22-2002, 06:33 AM
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Big ones on Floats??
You asked if any one was/is flying big/heavy A/C on floats.
I have an airplane(12 foot wingspan and 42 lbs,ZDZ 120cc motor) that is currently on wheels,but since a Lake was created ,quite accidently, right beside my house. (30 feet away) I`ve been looking ,longingly, at removing the wheels in favor of some floats that were given to me.
This brings me right around to the question I have,(Since there seems to be a lot of float guys out there)
These floats I was given are of the three point variety,(Flat-bottomed,two for the mains and one for the tail) The question is : How does one know,(In reference to the leading edge of the floats for the main gear) where to mount them.
In other words ,How far back do I make the landing gear attach points from the front edge of the floats (I believe I can pretty well guess on where to position the tail wheel/float.
All the help, Helps Thanks in advance,......bipeman_red
I have an airplane(12 foot wingspan and 42 lbs,ZDZ 120cc motor) that is currently on wheels,but since a Lake was created ,quite accidently, right beside my house. (30 feet away) I`ve been looking ,longingly, at removing the wheels in favor of some floats that were given to me.
This brings me right around to the question I have,(Since there seems to be a lot of float guys out there)
These floats I was given are of the three point variety,(Flat-bottomed,two for the mains and one for the tail) The question is : How does one know,(In reference to the leading edge of the floats for the main gear) where to mount them.
In other words ,How far back do I make the landing gear attach points from the front edge of the floats (I believe I can pretty well guess on where to position the tail wheel/float.
All the help, Helps Thanks in advance,......bipeman_red
12-22-2002, 01:13 PM
#13
Anybody flying a large 1/4 or 1/3 scale floater
There were several Sopwiths built with short primary floats and a separate tail float. Here's a link to some pics.
http://www.cbrnp.com/profiles/quarte...h-aviation.htm
If the paintings are accurate, it appears that the floats are still rigged so that the wings get a positive incidence when the floats are planing atop the water. The tail float is high enough to allow sufficient rotation for the plane to take off and land primarily on the mains. And, there is a pretty good amount of float in front of the nose to protect the prop when beaching the plane. The "step"(tail)of the float is not where we put it now, but with this float design it appears that the main floats are set to take almost all of the weight of the plane and it will lightly rock back onto the tail float when stationary or taxiing slowly.
http://www.cbrnp.com/profiles/quarte...h-aviation.htm
If the paintings are accurate, it appears that the floats are still rigged so that the wings get a positive incidence when the floats are planing atop the water. The tail float is high enough to allow sufficient rotation for the plane to take off and land primarily on the mains. And, there is a pretty good amount of float in front of the nose to protect the prop when beaching the plane. The "step"(tail)of the float is not where we put it now, but with this float design it appears that the main floats are set to take almost all of the weight of the plane and it will lightly rock back onto the tail float when stationary or taxiing slowly.
12-27-2002, 01:29 PM
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Anybody flying a large 1/4 or 1/3 scale floater
I have a Balsa USA 109" Cub that flies with Sea Commander 48" fiberglass floats at 27# total with US Engines 38cc gas power.
Sea Commander floats look very good but have had trouble with leaks at the seams.
sv
Sea Commander floats look very good but have had trouble with leaks at the seams.
sv
12-30-2002, 03:12 PM
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Anybody flying a large 1/4 or 1/3 scale floater
Beautiful Otter, Casper!
I've not done any float flying, yet, but plan to. I have an LT-40 trainer that I into to practice with and am building a 1/6 scale Beaver and want to float-fly it eventually.
I guess my ultimate float plane will be a PZL Wilga 35. 1/4 scale, powered by a Brison 4.8 Twin. It's "in the works", I need more stick time before I finish it and try to fly it.
http://www.pzl-okecie.com.pl/wilga.htm
--Bill
I've not done any float flying, yet, but plan to. I have an LT-40 trainer that I into to practice with and am building a 1/6 scale Beaver and want to float-fly it eventually.
I guess my ultimate float plane will be a PZL Wilga 35. 1/4 scale, powered by a Brison 4.8 Twin. It's "in the works", I need more stick time before I finish it and try to fly it.
http://www.pzl-okecie.com.pl/wilga.htm
--Bill
01-08-2003, 02:35 PM
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Anybody flying a large 1/4 or 1/3 scale floater
cf-drg
Sorry about not getting the pics of the Otter posted. I haven't firgured that out yet. If there are any specific views or pics you are interested in, let me know.
Sorry about not getting the pics of the Otter posted. I haven't firgured that out yet. If there are any specific views or pics you are interested in, let me know.
02-10-2003, 03:13 PM
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Anybody flying a large 1/4 or 1/3 scale floater
The floats are Balsa USA 1/3 scale - water rudder is driven by internal servo -pushrod goes through rubber bellows-cant remember man.
