Laker
 

I've just started to build a laker. I plan on flying it off the snow up here in the winter. Anyone have experience with this kit, any helpful hints, tips etc?

steve

Laker
 

I don't recall if I responded before. The Laker is a pretty light plane. That is good, especially if you are adding skis. If you are flying the hull right off the snow, I would suggest fiberglassing the entire bottom. I find all coverings stick to fiberglass better if I use Balsarite or Stickit. I put servos on both ailerons, to allow flaperons, and it will hover in a 15 knot breeze with flaps. It will descend almost vertically with flaps, also. You may want to fly it off water in the summer, so I would also suggest waterproofing the entire accessible interior. I used GlasKote until they stopped making it, and now use thinned epoxy. Good luck.
Ralph Tampa (We fly off water all year - no snow!)

engine
 

What size of engine did you use? I was thinking about using a webra .61....seems to me that a .46 wouldn't have enough to pull it around good.

Steve

Laker
 

I have a .46 on mine. They have a pretty large wing area and are fairly light, so they tend to be floaters. They will do rolls, but they are pretty sedate. It does not appear to be designed to do wild aerobatics or to go very fast. I suspect those would tend to fold the wing. A .46 has plenty of power to haul it off the water.
I have no experience with flying off snow, but I would not expect it to cause any more drag than water - perhaps less.
If you want a really aerobatic seaplane, try a SeaMaster. The kits are occasionally available on the R/C sites or on e-bay. The ARF, which appears to be nicely made, is still available. SeaMasters are very strong, and can do all the aerobatics you might want. The wing is as stiff as a 2x4.
Ralph Tampa