Alex48

Thanks for the kind words and suggestions guys. There is a small section on our website about the aircraft history and a video filmed at the time of its development which is interesting (to me at least)

https://www.littlejetco.com/sea-dart/history

With the knowledge that model is no longer taking on water at the rear, sitting at the correct water line and we can easily manage the aircraft in the shallows using waders we can move onto the RC boat bit of the test. With Dave in the follow boat along with three others either driving filming or taking photos we set off for 25 minutes of testing the model at slow speeds. Dave will be able to talk in more detail but the handling seemed ok although it was hampered by weed collecting on the ski struts as you can see below.

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The water rudders at the back which are actuated by two big Savox waterproof servos worked well and continued to work even when submerged for over 5 hours. The wind was around 8 knots and the huge vertical stabiliser did hinder things but it was still possible to turn in either direction without assymetric thrust. The full size aircraft used a combination of asymmetric thrust and rudder to turn and in the second test the water rudders were not used but it was still possible to control direction using only asymmetric thrust.

Dave Wilshere

I think the water handling will be fine in a clear lake, also with less wind swirl. If you look at the google earth view Alex posted you can see the lake was surrounded by trees and a bank. The huge fin and side area was affected by the wind, but I think the biggest influence was the debris in the lake, we picked up a branch at one stage on the skis! After each run the weed needed clearing off the struts, so we were unlucky with the flotsam that day, we were sheltered, but there was a storm brewing and the wind was quite strong.
When we had clear water it steered ok using the water rudder, I tried using the elevons to influence the turn with drag, but to be honest this didn’t help. Alex had asymmetric power available, where one turbine could be idled and the other throttled, on the last run ( because he didn’t brief me properly 😉 ) I had the water rudder switched off and the SeaDart could be turned with just asymmetric thrust, so I’m sure that when it comes to it water manoeuvring will be good. We also had a demon speed boat driver that day who could really handle the boat, so some of my initial concern over spearing Alex’s hard work into the bank was reduced-though there was a large wooden buoy/island with magnetic characteristics to avoid too.
We played with ski angles and getting it onto the step, the run before Alex got in the boat with his camera I got it to ‘pop up’ onto the step for a few seconds, but I didn’t know at that time how quickly it decelerates when you drop it back into the water...really fast is the answer. Alex warned that the power needed immediately reapplying as it settled as the bow waved catches up and can go up the tailpipes...something that the full scale suffered with apparently! The two angles on the skis also showed that even with two P-300’s at full power the fully extended ski position creates a huge amount of drag! I think we all learned a great deal that day and the methodical test schedule Alex has planned should mean no water related surprises when it comes to flying it.
Although Alex looked shattered, my overriding memory was of the joy the owner had on his face seeing it finally in its element, he just kept saying isn’t it brilliant 🙂 we are so lucky people like Ben have the desire to push the boundaries way beyond anything that has ever been produced as a model aeroplane before, all the guys involved with this project should be so proud of what they have produced.

Dave

Alex48

Hi all,

After many emails and messages asking for video we have finally put together some footage of our first test taken back in September 2020 with Dave Wilshere at the controls (Thanks Dave). We hope everyone is keeping safe and well and when movement restrictions are relaxed and it's sensible to do so we will be ready for the next set of tests culminating (hopefully) in the first flights.

Halcyon66

Outstanding.

Regards,

obiwan12

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Even your videography is amazing!

Viper1GJ

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Awesome, Congrats on your project. Very much looking forward to the next test videos.
Gary

Ron S

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Steadily, getting closer! Looks great when its just starting to get on the step with the skis!!

raron455

My Feedback: (38)

I have been following this build from the beginning and I am still in awe,, All I can say is that as far as SCALE RC BUILDING goes, to me this is it,,the best of the best. And seeing this video is awesome, This is really going to happen. Amazing work fellas..

kevinthoele

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It has been a truly amazing project to watch take shape. I wish you well with the remainder of the testing and a great maiden flight!!!!!!!

yeahbaby

My Feedback: (21)

Can’t wait to see the 105 take shape

JP-1

Interesting video here:-

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Hi Guys,
What an amazing job. I just found this thread and it took me three days to get through it all! It's been said several times before, but ground breaking, unprecedented, rarely seen before effort and quality and the aircraft is just amazing. What a great job you guys have done.
I do have to ask though, Obviously we don't know the exact cost - it's priceless - but what is going through my mind is what is this aircraft going to be used for? Strictly for recreational use? I read something about a documentary film... What is going to be the roll of the aircraft once the journey of bringing it to life is done?
Rick

silentrunning

seadart wiht 64mm turbine and 4S. Beautiful touch and go
https://www.facebook.com/100004415947588/videos/pcb.3645292895587895/1844997825657398

BarracudaHockey

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Content unavailable. So its probably private.

Zeeb

My Feedback: (41)

Why the hell do people keep posting things to Facebook? Isn't it enough that a lot of us were unwilling to sell our souls to Mark Zuckerberg in the first place, that certain people either cannot recognize, or are complicit with, the effort by Facebook and then linking those posts here? Twitter and Google to silence a major piece ot the American people?

Guess where you can go, and DO NOT post anymore Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google or other such links, In fact, I think that what happened in the US elections this past year, warrants a post containing a link to any of those above organizations should be automatically banned.

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Not to hijack this thread but you are 100% correct sir.
RP

Halcyon66

++

Regards,

Dave Wilshere

Spent another day with Alex and the Sea Dart team. More water testing, this time on a longer lake, but still with restrictions. I think there will be a few days of reflection and video watching so we fully understand the ski behaviour, the good news is when everything works as designed the SD is stable in both Ski positions.
Another step closer to flight trails. I’m sure Alex with post some more pictures once he’s home and recovered from some long days.

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

I love this thread, looking forward to seeing the reports!!!!
RP

Dave Wilshere

Alex sent these screen grabs from the video done yesterday

obiwan12

My Feedback: (9)

HI Dave,

It's been over a year. Do you have any updates for us please? Pictures, videos, flight reports?

Cheers!

Dave Wilshere

There has been no more testing in that time. Alex made a few mods to the ski’s after the last tests and the turbines were sent away for a service. When I last checked the team were busy on some other projects

Best regards

Dave