Gallaudet D-1 Seaplane
#1

Thread Starter

I am starting a seaplane project over on RCScalebuilder and hope to keep this thread updated now and then. This plane will be a challenge and may not make it all the way due to technical issues. My earlier exploration (at 1/8th scale) didn't have enough buoyancy to float itself so I am now working at 1/6th scale - 96" WS. The other big challenge is the drive system for the propeller, as you can probably imagine




.




.
#3

Thread Starter

Update on this project:
A fellow modeler sent me some drawings on the Gallaudet company and its proposals to the navy, circa 1916. One of the designs was called the Hydro Scout. Although never built, this is a very appealing design because of its simpler construction.
With a 28ft wingspan vs 48ft for the D-1, I can make a 1/4 scale model rather than 1/6th. It will be a larger plane but considerably less wingspan, important for me to transport. I will attach the drawing and size comparisons (rendered D-1 to white lines for the Scout).



A fellow modeler sent me some drawings on the Gallaudet company and its proposals to the navy, circa 1916. One of the designs was called the Hydro Scout. Although never built, this is a very appealing design because of its simpler construction.
With a 28ft wingspan vs 48ft for the D-1, I can make a 1/4 scale model rather than 1/6th. It will be a larger plane but considerably less wingspan, important for me to transport. I will attach the drawing and size comparisons (rendered D-1 to white lines for the Scout).



#7

Thread Starter

The front fuselage is coming along. I am working toward a test of the prop hub, which needs to stay together while providing sufficient thrust. If the test sled works okay, I will undertake the rest of the project.










#8

Thread Starter

An update. The propellers have been fabricated (from APC electric 22x10s) and the test sled is almost ready for a go. It will be done with a single 6s Lipo (the final design is for two 6s in parallel). This has a 100amp Castle Creations speed control and 1912-1Y Neumotor.








The following users liked this post:
mgnostic (11-23-2023)