Hello All ...

I didn't get any replies to the prior post ... so let's try rephrasing things.

Question - What would be some suggestions for a good 1st float plane??

I found plans for sale for a De Haviland Beaver. Would that be a decent choice??

Thanks,

Dan

I don't see why not....if you like to build...if not there is one ARF that Thunder Tiger is advertising that sounds good. Personally I have a 1/4 scale Cub that I just bought some floats for...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Jerry[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Hi Dan,
Are you sure you want a float plane? A sea plane is much more at home in the water. Our club members fly off the water a lot. We have several float flies each year. I myself have three seaplanes and one float plane. On a windy day the seaplanes are over the water having all the fun while the float planes sit on the beach. If you still want a float plane I would suggeat this for your first float plane. Get a set of cheap plastic floats (like the 33" Gee Bee floats sold in tower $40.00) and put them on your trainer. Fly it for one season to get the hang of flying off water. If you still want to build a scale job then the Beaver would be a good choice. If you would like to try a seaplane you can't do better than the Seamaster 40 distributed (and sold by) Ace Hobby Distributing.
Rixter

I notice that the Seamaster 40 is available as an ARF. Would you happen to know if it comes as a kit as well?? I really enjoy the building aspect and wouldn't mind investigating the possibility of of building this plane. I would even attempt off of plans.

1st float plane suggestions?

Do you have any flying experience? If not, I suggest staying out of the water.
If you do know how to fly, please update your profile. It is more difficult to land on water. Do you know how to swim?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Airhead: THere's a lot of merit to what Dogdirt says. I am also reveling with pleasure at this point that I use my actual real name for a screen name. But I digress.

Your first water-plane depends a lot on your experience.
Most any trainer works well with a PROPERLY SELECTED AND INSTALLED set of floats. A Senior Kadet on 40" floats will give you face cramps from grinning. It's an absolute ball. I fly a Senior Telemaster on 45" Floats, and it's fabulous.

If you are an experienced flyer, then slap a set of floats on your favorite sport plane. AstroHogs, Sticks, and Morris Profile Planes all work well on floats. ANy of these are convertible: You can bolt the wheels back on, and go flying from land.

There are some good seaplane kits out there. The Ace Seamaster leads the pack, and flies like a pattern plane, but is currently only available as a .40ARF. My only criticism of it is that it has a flat bottom, and it tends to skip and slide a bit on landing. BalsaUSA offers several (Northstar, Laker) The northstar is a delta, fast, handles rough water well, and reported to be a pain to build due to a lot of parts at funny angles. Also, you are well advised to reinforce the bottom. The Laker is a nice gentle sportplane with almost trainerlike characteristics.

IMHO, the best seaplane ever was the Hanger Designs SeaCruiser. Recently discontinued. Grab one if you can find it, or get the plans and scratch it.

I have been designing my own seaplane. Once I'm happy with it, I will offer the plans. It's the Dover Darlin'. (Our club pond is in Dover, FL) Symmetrical airfoil, v-bottom hull with spray deflectors, and this week it has a v-tail to get the tailfins away from the water without the fragility of a T-tail. It has an OS.46LA now, thinking if it flies well with this, it'll really go with a "real" motor. The OS is beautifully friendly and reliable, but not very powerful.

Glad to hear you like the Senior Telemaster on floats. Just got my Telemaster Kit and plan to build it this winter. I have a set of Great Planes 60 size floats and was expecting they would be about right for the Telemaster.

What set of floats are you using on the Senior Telemaster?

What engine are you using on the Senior Telemaster?

>>I have a set of Great Planes 60 size floats and was expecting they would be about right for the Telemaster.<<
Yep, probably just about ideal.

>>What set of floats are you using on the Senior Telemaster?<<
I make my own. White foam, v-bottom, tapered sides. Sheeted with balsa except for plywood near the step where it sits in storage/transport. Covered with aluminum Coverite. They look something like scale EDOs, but I don't taper the nose in the "Plan" view.


What engine are you using on the Senior Telemaster?
OS.91 Four-stroke. Rotated 90 to the right. Onboard GLow.

Oh, yeah. I bashed mine to make it look like a Beaver. Round cowl (courtesy of a Tupperware Iced Tea Pitcher), Dehavilland-shaped vertical stab, Funny-shaped window stickers. It'll fool you if you stand back and squint.

Jim

thanks for the info ...

i don't have any flying experience (as of yet) ... i will be training soon. i am more looking for a "long" projec that i can drag on and keep building while i am gaining experience. i truly enjoy the building part of this hobby.

Hello; We have at least 4 Beavers flying at our local lake flying site, two big ones, one with a Saito 50 one with a OS 40LA, they are maybe the second most popular float plane here ( second to the cub). I have a Bingo on Floats with a Saito 80 in it. I am building an Otter on floats, the unionville one, I saw one fly in our annual float fly and was very impressed.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]

Balsa USA have two kits, the Northstar, and the laker.

I have the northstar, and it looks FAST! nice thing about is that it converts to 'land' [wheels] quite quickly. Flies off fluffy snow too!!

I wrote a review for the northstar on this site..

Hello; My first seaplane was an Ace seamaster, then a Lanier seabird, then a RCM aquastar, then a Bingo with floats, which I still fly and enjoy. I have an Oter on the board now.
I find flaot flying very relaxing and enjoyable, hell you can land anywhere, then taxi back. If it's too windy to taxi, you will get some rowing in. We call ourselves teh Quamichan rowing and cursing society.
It's a little different group, a little older, much more relaxed, most guys come out mainly for the companionship, cameradery (sp), no show-offs.