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Cessna 177 on Floats???

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Cessna 177 on Floats???

Old 12-27-2010, 01:19 PM
  #126  
Jimmy Hoffa
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

Red,
I take it that the wood pegs were the same size as the holes you drilled for them?

Dan,
I'm not sure about electric. It seems to be a fairly heavy plane with nitro power and I would be concerned about power to weight ratio.
Old 12-27-2010, 05:47 PM
  #127  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

Yes the pegs were the same size but I cheated and dug out some of the foam and really filled it in with epoxy. Sort of made an epoxy ledge under the plastic so to speak, if that makes any sense. I didn't like the little plastic plug ARC used, there was NO meat to hold it in the float. I've mentioned it in other post and suggested that new builders be sure to score the plugs good and use lots of epoxy in the hole.

The reason I did it was that I was doing a float fly out in AZ and the front of one of the floats gave way. The front dropped down as I was making my approach ~~~ it went straight in from about 30 ft. I made the repair mentioned and flew it the next day. I still have the floats and have never had another problem , I had 3 sets.

DAN : I agree with Jimmy that it might be a problem to go electric, you could BUT ??? I think the biggest problem would be putting batteries in. The plane is all plastic and it would take some real thought as to how to install them. Power wise ??? Electric could do it if you could work out a few other problems.

By the way I had an OS 91 in mine and used a 12 x6 3 bladed prop so I could keep the tips out of the water . Worked super and I even left it on when I put the wheels back on. I liked the braking effect it had on landing. ENJOY !! RED
Old 12-28-2010, 03:13 AM
  #128  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???


ORIGINAL:
The reason I did it was that I was doing a float fly out in AZ and the front of one of the floats gave way. The front dropped down as I was making my approach ~~~ it went straight in from about 30 ft. I made the repair mentioned and flew it the next day. I still have the floats and have never had another problem , I had 3 sets.
I think the previous owner of my plane had a similar situation when the front landing gear bolt vibrated out. I also believe he was somewhat inexperienced and the plane may have been too much for him. He said he made 2 flights. The first one probably scared him and the second one really scared him when the float came off. It would me too!

The floats do seem to be attached a little flimsy and now I'm thinking about your modification. The front mounts are my main concern. The rear will just track if they came loose but dropping the front could really mess up a nice flight!


Old 12-28-2010, 03:49 PM
  #129  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

Your right about the front of the float dropping. If it had been the back I think it would have landed fine , it would be interesting to know how it would react.

You should have been there when it happened. As I said it was a large float fly and I was just lining up for my landing about 150 ' out when it let go. The plane had just passed over the recovery boat when it dove in. When I got the plane back the guys in the boat thanked me for not making them chase it. lol By the way that was an ARC Ready on floats , they use the same floats . ENJOY !!! RED
Old 12-28-2010, 05:36 PM
  #130  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

Red,
Look at this Modelfly Cessna on eBay.
[link=http://cgi.ebay.com/Modelfly-ARC-READY-2-R-C-Airplane_W0QQitemZ150539872873QQcategoryZ34053QQcm dZViewItemQQ_trksidZp5197.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI %26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D1%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clki d%3D5979689029213615357#ht_660wt_932]Modelfly[/link]
In the picture it looks completely different but the specs are similar.
Old 12-29-2010, 09:13 AM
  #131  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

the plane on ebay is the Ready and not the Cessna, made by same company, they also made a Beaver. They all used the same floats.
Old 12-29-2010, 12:47 PM
  #132  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

As Crash said that plane is the " READY " , a nice plane and if you could get it for under $ 100 it would be a good deal ( IF it's new and all there ). If I needed another plane and " IF " I bid on ebay I'd probably try for it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. ENJOY !!! RED
Old 12-29-2010, 02:18 PM
  #133  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

Kind of sorta good news. Tower now lists the Cessna, Beaver and the Ready for sale under thunder tiger. I do not see any floats or the brackets though.
Old 12-31-2010, 12:49 PM
  #134  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

I could only find the Cessna Cardinal 177 on the Tower site.

What is the difference between the Ready and Cardinal 177? Their appearance is different but the only picture I have seen of the Ready is on the eBay listing. How does it fly?
Old 12-31-2010, 01:30 PM
  #135  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

Thunder Tiger Ready: Tower part# LXASPH
Thunder Tiger Beaver: " " LXASPJ
Thunder Tiger Cessna " " LXASPK

I've only flown the Beaver on floats so i can't comment on the flight differences
Old 12-31-2010, 05:53 PM
  #136  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

They all fly great. Each one has it's own feeling mostly because of the weight and size.

The " READY " wing span 61-3/4 " WEIGHT 8 TO 8 1/2 LBS Engine 46 - 2 stroke or 52 - 4 stroke

The " Cessna " 67 " 9 to 9 -1/2 lbs 60 - 2 stroke or 91 - 4 stroke


The " Ready " Flies a bit lighter and can handle aero batics real well. It's a smaller plane and flies that way. It's a blast.

The " CESSNA " Flies a little heavy, is a larger plane and reacts a bit slower then the Ready. It is not designed for Aerobatics but can do a lot if you want to take the chance. It is one of the best float planes I have flown and as far as wheeled planes it is a dream plane to fly when set up correctly .
ENJOY !!! RED
Old 02-15-2011, 12:11 PM
  #137  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

Red, I previously had the ARC Cardinal on floats and was thrilled when TT picked up the line because I wanted another one. My only problem is that I can not find the float kit ANYWHERE for sale in the U.S> - where did you get yours?
Old 02-15-2011, 12:21 PM
  #138  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

Red, I previously had the ARC Cardinal on floats and was thrilled when TT picked up the line because I wanted another one. My only problem is that I can not find the float kit ANYWHERE for sale in the U.S> - where did you get yours?
Old 02-15-2011, 07:00 PM
  #139  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

Davis: I got my stuff back when Midwest / Falcon was in full swing. Every since they quit handeling the Modelfly / ARC line all their stuff has been very hard to get here in the states. MAYBE now that Tower has them they may start getting parts. I wouldn't bet on it though as ITALY was slower then heck back then.

I still have 2 sets of floats and some misc. parts that came off some of my planes . I sold one of the Beavers on floats last year and it went to Maine.

I'd just keep bugging Tower for floats till they get the Italians off their rears . Those planes are too GOOD to not be around. ENJOY !!! RED
Old 02-15-2011, 10:46 PM
  #140  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

Tower has the floats listed. I do not see any of the adapters to fit the different planes
Old 02-16-2011, 10:54 AM
  #141  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

It's been awhile but as I remember, the floats come with the mounts for the Modelfly planes. There is a different kit availble so you can use the floats on some other planes but I don't know if tower carries it.
A little thought and you shouldn't have any problem mounting them on another plane. Just check with Tower, I think the adapters are with the floats for their planes. ENJOY !!! RED
Old 02-21-2011, 02:58 PM
  #142  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

Yeah the floats themselves are all the same for the Ready/beaver/cardinal. The difference in the kits is the mounting hardware that comes with each. No one seams to have the correct mounting stuff for the cardinal. Red I bet you'll never use yours again.... You should sell it to me
Old 02-22-2011, 04:10 PM
  #143  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

davis : I'll keep you in mind. Right now the stuff is in storage and I won't be getting into it for awhile. ENJOY !!! RED
Old 02-24-2011, 05:40 PM
  #144  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

Davis ; I just checked my floats and I'm afraid I sold the set for the Cessna after it crashed. All I have left are the Beaver and Ready floats. I will keep looking and if I come across the mounts I'll let ya know. SORRY !!! ENJOY !!! RED
Old 02-24-2011, 05:45 PM
  #145  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

Red: thanks for checking! I really appreciate it - I'm waiting to hear back from Tower to see if they can get a purchase order approved through GPM... Keeping my fingers crossed
Old 03-03-2011, 07:31 AM
  #146  
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Default RE: Cessna 177 on Floats???

Tower Hobbies now lists the floats for the Cessna as in stock. Part# LXAZUR can't remember the price. 55.99?

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