KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Just got color on her and had to post the pics. I still have to finnish the scale float rigging but it flys fine for now. Power is G26. Working on muffler that will fit inside cowl and have scale exit along the bottom right side.

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Looking GREAT :D:D

That kit is on my to-do list also, (though i'll use a Saito 180 or new 220 for power).. One of my clubmates is repainting his right now, and i hope to someday see his fly if he ever finishes it :):D

I did get to see one fly last wknd. at a funfly, though the pilot stalled it (not the planes fault) and slapped her into the water pretty hard. We left right after that, so i don't know if it was seriously damaged or not, but it was floating upright and looked to be intact, so i'm hopefull it's fine. His is powered by a 23 or 26 gasser, and seemed to be fine on power, and looked very gracefull in the air, and very much inspired me to do one soon.

Best of luck on your maiden, and please hook us up with MORE pics, especially inflight pics when that happens :D:D:D:D

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

I have a couple gallons through it now. I flew it before I went to the trouble of putting on the color. The maiden was a little interesting as I did the original ballance with a homemade muffler (too restrictive the first time) and the batts for onboard lighting/starter. I got in a hurry and pulled all that out and flew it..... ended up being 2.75" tail heavy... I would not recommend this as a starting point for your CG. After I moved the CG to he recommended, it flew great. Like a CUB it does need rudder input for turns.

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

She's a beauty!! [sm=thumbup.gif]

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

YEP,

She's a beauty allright, gotta get one!!

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Great looking Beaver....or DHC-2... Guess you don't see many of those up there..;)... You'll need to post some taking off and flight pics for us. And I was wondering how much $ the kit is?

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Nope never see a beaver up here lol... I think it is 599 with the floats. Fiberglass fuse and floats, built up tail and wings. I will get some flight pics when I get back home in a couple weeks. I am hoping to have a full length vid out by this fall with lots of AK flying on it.

I dont know why the pics came out so wavy, but the lines on the plane are straight. This Beaver is a copy of the local C.A.P. Beaver we have (I get to fly that one too).

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

I did the test flight on one of the KMP Beavers which belongs to one of the local hobby dealers up here two weeks ago. Set up as per the kit instructions she wouldn't get off the water but after re rigging her it was great. A few things to watch for; adverse aileron yaw. I suggest coupling a small amount of rudder with the aileron. Keep the C of G forward., She's hairy with a slightly aft balance. The water rudder is very sensitive, It was easiest to handle with it removed.
Back to the ailerons, rig the ailerons with lots of differential biased towards up. The one I flew was powered by a Irvine 120 2 cycle and it had lots of power. Be patient with it and don't yank it about the sky or it will bite back. It looks gorgeous in the sky. By the way, the one I flew was re finished in RCMP colors, looked great.
Peter

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

you are right, I think I am running 32% differential on the ailerons. I fly lots of foamies and cubs so my left thumb is in good shape so I dont mix the aileron and rudder.. Makes it more difficult to slip when in a cross wind landing/takeoff.
I could not bear the thought of using the water rudders that came with the plane, so I used the ernst and hooked them up using pulleys and cables just like the rea one. Had to put in a retract servo too. I only lower them at slow taxi speeds, they are up for high speed and flying/ landing.

Leni

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Hi Peter:
Saw your test report on the KMP Beaver on floats. We are the importers in Scandinavia of ESM products, like KMP is in USA and Canada.
We have sold many of these Beavers already, also with floats. I fly it on wheels, but not yet on floats. Just spoke to one friend who has tested it on floats. Bad news: it would not lift off the water and just skidded about, ending in flipping over. Obviously we think the angle of attack of the wing is wrong and the float tips are pointing too much down relative to the airplane.
Could you please inform me which modifications you did (suspecting you maybe shortened the length of the float brackets in front)?
Thank you very much!
Best regards
Richard Blindheim
RCFLIGHT
Oslo
http://www.rc-flight.com

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Hi Richard,
Your suspicions are correct. The planes angle of attack on the water is way too much and when the plane gets up to speed the tips of the floats dig in and it becomes very unstable before it gets up to flying speed. It was pretty obvious when we first put it in the water but thought we should try it anyway. After aboout three unsuccessful attempts we gave up and took it back to the shop for re rigging. With the incidence meter the plane sat at 8-1/2 degrees positive. After re-rigging it now sits at +1-1/2 dergees. Also check that the step is right under the C/G with the plane level. Now it sits in the water like it should and remains level as it gains speed. Lift off is uneventful . It steers well in the water without a water rudder and I would suggest removing it. We were flying it yesterday and it has become a nice plane. Power is an Irvine 120 2 stroke. T/O is at full power and cruise is at 1/2 throttle. We still need to coordinate aileron /rudder and once we figure out the programming will add about 10% mix. Keep the C/G as shown on the plans. We weighted the tips of the floats with stick on tire weights.
Les Patterson, the owner of the Beaver and local hobby dealer, shortened the existing front struts. He said to be careful when repositioning the attach points because the ply doubler ends near where they need to screw down.
Differential on the ailerons helped flight greatly as well. The adverse yaw is still there but greatly reduced.
It's dissapointing that the manufacturer couldn't get these details figured out rather than leaving it up to the customers. It would save them a lot of bad PR.
Cheers,
Peter

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Hi-
Thanks a lot Peter! We are now going to make the modifications you recommend and testfly again in a day or two. Actually, the job looks quite simple and we will likely recommend those who bought these floats to do the same. Our model is powered by a 160FT twin 4-stroke and flies like a dream on wheels with plenty (un-scalelike) power. Will come back and tell how it goes.
Best rgds
Richard
Oslo

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Hi Guys
trying to put pictures of my KMP Beaver but cant figure out how to do it with the message here........Help [&o]

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Hi Paul,
I finally figured it out last night. At the bottom left of the reply box is a message "click here to upload". When you have finished your message click on that box and another window will appear. It has a box and a browse button. Hit the browse button. You can then search your files for the image you want. Click on the image you want and the file name will open at the bottom of the window. Click "open" and the image name will jump to the upload window. You should have no trouble after this. It's actually simple once you've done it a few times. If you think you screwed up click cancel and start over.
Peter

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Thanks Peter
Love the northstar, I will have to build another one, mine flew so much and I totaled it on a low pass when it went in a down burst and hit the water extreamlly hard and broke in bits and pieces.

Now I can post a picture of my Beaver.
I ialso had a problem with high incidence to the floats it was at 8.5 deg positive and I reduced it to 2 deg positive like I usually do on my other float planes.

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Here is what my northstar looked like before.

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

I finally got the Beaver up and flying after adjusting the incidence to 2 deg positive to the floats and it flew very well.
It does need lots of rudder input in turns so I reduce the aileron travel in the downward way and it should help.
I will try it again soon.

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

SWEET BEAVER :D

I have been waiting for a while now for pictures of the new scheme, and it is worth the wait. That looks great. Can't wait to get mine, but unfortunitly i have to wait until i get some of the other projects cought up. Yours looks fantastic, congrats.......

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Same Bird ?? This guys from Riverside, And it's a Sweet looking plane up close. The pic was rite before his maiden. I watched it. It pulled off the water really hard and almost went down hard, (Mel) the owner got it back down safe but never flew it again the day. Surelly he has the bugs out by now.

Did you see this one Scott ??

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Joe,

That is the same plane! Thats Mel Santmeyer, a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG time scaler and good friend. The plane was not new that day however, He aquired it from the original owner, and it was flown by the original owner, and suffered a few teething pains during that time. One of which, was a problem with the stock floats (though i never found out what that was). The floats on the plane the day we all saw it fly on, on that day at Gilman, are aftermarket (brand and specs unknown by me). I think i heard Mel say the original floats were trashed during a rough landing ?? (you can correct me on that Mel if i'm wrong and you read this).

My inturpritation of the flight we saw ?? either it was VERY tailheavy, or Mel never pushed the nose over after rotation, because it looked like it was in a full stall condition right from the getgo, and he had GREAT fortune (read luck and seasoned skill) to get it back to the water safely!!

Got to give BIG props to Mel for that great save :D:D

And Joe, props to you too for the GREAT pics [sm=thumbup.gif]:D:D

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Looks great Mel, I hope its all ok and will fly again soon.
Mine was very sensative on pitch but by adding lots of expo it helped alot.
Make shure ist more on the nose heavy slightly with no fuel.

I flew mine with an OS 1.08FSR with a Master airscrew 18x6 prop and wildcat Helimix 20% nitro and synth oil.
Lots of power way more then needed.

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Hey Scott, Yep thats Mel........I flew in the Pylon Races with him Saturday at Gilman, Great guy too. I asked him how the Beaver was, and he told me the "Bug's" are out and he's ready to go to Hemet Lake this coming weekend. I'll be there too. Come Hell or High Water :D.
I've never been up that way, One of the guys yesterday said it's "VERY" nice up there, but he never saw float planes there. So is this a first for Hemet Lake ??
I told Mel I was looking at the Big Monocoupe for my Saito 180.....He told me to wait tell we went to Hemet Lake so I could get a better look at his Beaver.....ummmmm. It's a nice one too.
Talk at ya later.
Joe

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

[sm=thumbup.gif]

Can't wait, my Dad and i are going up Friday afternoon, to get a good spot for our tents over in camp 6 where everyone is camping overnight, and also to steak out a good pit spot down at the shore.

I hit a glitch with the Mariner build-up so it won't be ready after all [:o], but at least i'll still have my other 2 trusty planes, and my Dad is bringing 4 planes :D

See yeah there, er, if you actually make it :):) ZING :D:D

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Ouch.......again. :D

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Hi all.. thanks for the sharing your KMP Beaver incidence problems. I thought I was the only one with a nice looking Beaver boat..lol I am wondering about setting the incidence as I have never had to do this before. Am i attaching the incidence meter to the engine crank shaft or wing and am I to measure this with the plane in the water or sitting on my workbench. The plance tends to sit back on its rudders when on the workbench. I did also have to add quite a bit of lead to the nose to keep it at 80mm CG as KMP recommends. ANY helpfull hints or instructions as to get this bird out of the water would be greatly appreciated. It is powered with a SAITO 1.7 radial...plenty of power but not enough to rip this bird out of the water! HELP thanks Seth

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Hi Seth

What I do is place blocks under the rear of the floats having the meter on the floats centered until it reads "0" then I place the meter on the wing trailing edge to leading edge and see how much I need to move the front float struts.
On mine set a 2 deg positive I had to drill a new hole 1/2 in above the original one on the 2 front float struts and that was it, nothing to cut as it clears the floats.
A saito 1.7 radial not enough power to get off the water?[sm=surprised.gif] Im suprise since I use an OS 1.08 FSR specialised whit an 18x6 prop and its more then enough power to get off the water at 20 lbs.
hope you get good results, dont forget to share some nice pictures too for all of us here. :D

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Thanks for the advice paul..still working on those pics for ya! Flew the Beaver off the wheels..what a sight! I landed at walking pace with flaps full down. I am going to start re-riggin for that float setup. Will post pics soon. Cheers

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Gotta love a Beaver and those at walking speed landings :D 127" Modelmasters Beaver with G62. I would love to get the KMP as well!

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

The Beaver are a good STOL aircraft. Very fun to fly. Badfully, I had too much work this summer to finish my float and try some water flying...[&o] You can be sure I will make it this winter to be ready for the next flying season !!
Now, I work on my Turbo Beaver. Nice aircraft too :D

This is some pics of my 103" WS MR Aerodesign DHC-2 Beaver

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

More pics...

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Closterman... your Beaver design is nice. I hope to have one built soon. I like the way your paint scheme turned out? You can put me on your list for the Turbo Beaver when you get it done! :D

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Closterman your Beaver is simply the best :D I can imagine it on floats too.

Paul

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Here's a quick update. Been flying helis way too much lately:( I've finally gotten aroudn to upgrading my float struts. Thanks paul and morromax and to all that helped. Doing some test runs next week hopefully:)

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

3 cylinder engine! wow! that must sound amazing.
I also notice on the pictures ,your prop is a 16x8, can it turn a 18x6 or 18x8 also, I just find that the 18x6 was much better then the 16x8 for slow flight.

Paul

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

The 1.7 could handle a 18x6. I went with the factory tested size. It runs @8400rpm aprox. I have a few other sizes I havent tested yet. Will keep you posted.

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

The 1.7 could handle a 18x6. I went with the factory tested size. It runs @8400rpm aprox. I have a few other sizes I havent tested yet. Will keep you posted. The thing sounds like a harley purring at idle! and with the onboard glow I can idle VERY low.

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

I could just hear it pure at idle,must be really nice :)
I sort of miss mine, I sold it back in May.
See I really like the Beaver and this one was not very scale fuselage side and that really was bugging me [:o], so I decided to let it go and I will get another one eventually more scale. For now I will install floats on my 1/4 scale super cub and I also fly the Seawind.

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

How's the Seawind? I'm skeptical about flying boats. Especially when they come with an autobailer! Does it take water? It certainly looks cool. I have a .61 Lancair from greatplanes that is great.

RE: KMP Beaver on Float pics
 

Well the Seawind is a great flying plane but it doesn't like x-wind take-off like the full scale one.
I flew it in strong wind ,good chops on the water and had no problems.
In the air its solid as a patern ship.:D
You need to take-off with flaps and land with full flaps or you get in trouble fast.[:o]
The autobailer lets in a bit of water when at rest but very little, I sealed mine.
water gets in more at the wing saddle so I made a silicon seal and then I even apply white electrical tape around the wing joints.
I do the same around the canopy but only as a precaution.
The water rudder drags in low and does not flip up so it drag weeds...etc

Problem now is were I fly on water its mostly x-wind and I like doing touch and goes on water and since its bad on x-wind take-off well not shure to keep that one too.[&o]

Where did you get the Aluminium oval shaped struts?