maided the Beaver
 

Well today is the day we will try and fly the DeHavilland Beaver on floats. The one on the left of the screen. I will have an instructor fly it. Want to see if it is a submarine with wings or will it really fly. If he gets it trimmed out then maybe I will try it. Have not flow off the water, but I certainly will have lots of runway. Will let you know how it turns out. If OK we are going to the Skymaster's float fly in Michigan. Hope for the best. Wing is set at +2' and using a Magnum GP65 with a 11-7 APC prop. Weighs 10lbs 8oz. Hope it gets off the water. More to follow, just hope it is not the crash and rebuild forum.

RE: maided the Beaver
 

At least I don't think you have to worry about finding a corn field in the middle of a lake...

RE: maided the Beaver
 

I love those seaplanes. Havn't flown one yet but I know some people at the club that might let me.

RE: maided the Beaver
 

Here is a picture of the Beaver in the water. It did not break away from the water. Seemed like it had enough speed but when it went to lift off the tail would drop and create a drag. Maybe the engine was not strong enough. I am not sure that it wasn't picking up some water in the carb. The plane would take off and get up on the step quite quickly but then the engine seemed to slow down a little. Not sure what that was all about.

RE: maided the Beaver
 

I believe that means you have the step of the floats too far forward of the CG, and when the plane gets up on the step the imbalance causes the tail (and the back of the floats) to drop back into the water.
And you thought it would be easy, didn't you?

RE: maided the Beaver
 

the last time I maidened a beaver I was bout 17:) the good old days.
just put the step a 1/4 to 3/8" forward of the land based CofG it should be OK at first.
a comfortable power level is 15to20% over the land based requirements,at 10lbs + you might want a 91to120fs extra power is handy when getting off water

RE: maided the Beaver
 

LOLOL

great pics, at least it didnt become a sub....good luck sorting the float issue

RE: maided the Beaver
 

Excuse me. That is a beautiful boat you have there but this is the R/C AIRPLANE forum:D Just play'n with ya. You'll get it. I agree though that mor power is needed for a 10 lb model especially on the water. You might be able to get it with a different prop???

RE: maided the Beaver
 

Great pictures.
chopper man

RE: maided the Beaver
 

from the picture it looks like the water is smooth?if so alot of planes have trouble taking off.a little chop helps break the suction between float and water.one trick is to taxi around in large circles to make you own chop when there is none.try posting in the seaplane forum and see what some of them suggest.

RE: maided the Beaver
 

He did that this morning.:)