Obligatory Beaver Pic

[fumblethumbs]

Okay, you've probably seen it before, but we need the post count! Will's 19" floats, covered in SolarFilm:

[fumblethumbs]

They're attached via LG straps to 1/8" ply hardpoints on the fuse. Struts are .063" music wire & CF rod. A side view:

[pondflyer]

Thumbs,
I've posted a couple of "intro" messages about the waterplane forum that will be stickies for a week or so. That should attract a few more active float flyers to our forum. Actually, we are doing quite well so far.
On the Beaver - I have one, have floats for it but plan to fly with wheels first to get feel of plane. I want: steerable tail wheel (and water rudder later) and would like to have a more scale wing - maybe make one out of Blue-cor.
The wings that came with my Kit aren't so hot anyhow; one is warped convex along its length and the other concave. Artifact of the way they were packed, i think. If I don't make new wing, what's best way to straighten these?
Dick:confused:

[fumblethumbs]

Hi Pondflyer, good move on the intro posts. As for the Beaver's wing being warped, just how bad is it? A little carefully applied (low!) heat via heatgun/hairdrier while bending the opposite direction might do the trick. Also, have you contacted the seller about damage replacement? Horizon Hobby is very good about replacing GWS parts if purchased from them, or you could bite the bullet and order a replacement set for around $15.00. I'm sure you've read the "Canada's Latest Beaver I,II,III" threads in the Parkflyer forum? If not, Grejen has built a scale wing for his Beaver so have a look there for this mod. You can also find my (many) wing mods there which include CF rod in the LE and .007" CF tape on the TE, dowel & screws attachment, etc.. -thumbs

[willshep]

Pond, Thanks for the heads up.. thankfully Jason let me know so we could get our banner up top a week or so ago. I would consider cutting you a new scale beaver wing out of blue cor if you want me to. Sept will be busy, but that sounds like an interesting small project. Are you thinking like a clark Y?
-will

[pondflyer]

Will,
No rush, we have a new puppy and he REALLY takes up my time right now. The factory wings aren't that bad and I think I can pull/push them straight enough with the struts. But, long term, I'd like to do the scale wings - these just don't look right and are very flimsey, as you know. Might as well do ailerons and reduce the dihedral while I'm at it so need some planning. Haven't thought about airfoil yet so suggestions are welcome.
I know you've already been posting the the forum - I accidently clicked on your PM button when sending out other heads up messages.:o
Pondflyer (Dick)

[Shawn Palmer]

Where can I get a set of those floats? url please!

Have you flown it from water yet?

Just finished one and am itching to fly it from water!

Shawn

[fumblethumbs]

Hi Shawn. You can get them here: http://www.foamfloats.com (Hey willshep-what's the going rate for a plug?:D )
and yes, I have ROW'ed, and I'll do it again, and again, and....so there! Shawn, it's a hoot so scratch that itch! -thumbs

[pondflyer]

Thumbs,

1) How did you color your Prop?

2) Are your floats removeable (i.e., can you go back to wheels)?

3) Is the plane covered or just painted?

Dick:)

[fumblethumbs]

Pondflyer, the prop is a Flying Styro 9-1/2X7, comes in black only. FWIW, I almost never fly with it preferring the performance of the GWS 10X4.7 or 10X8. I painted the tips w/Testor's Model Master Acryl. It's been modified to mount on a collet adapter, and the "bullet" prop nut was turned on my lathe. Yes, the floats (and LG) are removable via eight small screws and common LG straps. I inletted and epoxied two 1/8" ply strips into the fuse bottom for this purpose. The whole plane is airbrushed with Testor's Model Master Acryl, and the red & yellow accents are Ultracote's "Ultratrim". The foam floats however, are covered with white SolarFilm, then trimmed with Ultratrim to match. Here's a pic of how the LG attaches;

[pondflyer]

Thumbs,

Thanks a lot for the info. I'm sure it will help others, as well.

Dick:D

[flipstart]

Hey-you guys really ought to consider making your foam floats-you can make about 6-7 sets for $6 of foam, cover with film or glass and PU. I have made 3 sets with not much trouble, use spyder wire(fishing line) for cross bracing between front and rear strut on each side, velcro for rear strut-s hooks on each end of the string braces and you can change to wheels in 5 minutes. Do not have the thread, but it is posted on parkflyers(unfortunately) foam floats for slow stick by jimsp. By varying the stop on your saw you can make them any width. (great post by the way)

Also have all the formulas listed down to determine float design,listed down, if anyone is interested. According to some of the other forums on float planes the homemade versions actually work better.

Flipstart

[fumblethumbs]

Hi Flipstart. I considered scratch building the floats for this project, but it was a lot easier to go with a proven design and size. Takes about two minutes to swap out the floats for LG with the screws & straps;) . -thumbs

[flipstart]

Hey Thumbs-You have me beat by 3 minutes with all those screws and brackets and ..... we need to get together with a stop watch.
Just kidding-your mount looks good-probably more rigid than mine-although it was surprising how the X braces really locked it in-the SS tends to rock around the fuselage mount-cheap airplane but it works for a trainer and floater-got to get another plane-whats a good 2nd plane that I can build floats for??

[fumblethumbs]

Flipstart, the Beaver would be my choice. It's not too picky about it's AUW, uses the same motor as the SS (but with a "C" spur), and there's a wealth of info here about mods & flying. -thumbs

[flipstart]

The Beaver sounds like a possibility-the plane appears larger than I thought -what size floats do you use? I have a set of 19 " floats I made for a 24 oz plane just playing around with the design formulas and practice cutting foam-also what is a good source-I have never painted foam-covered floats with glue and paper and painted-look OK but not like your plane. Hoppy on foamies has several methods-would be interested in what you did on the beaver. That is a good-looking floater.

Flip

[fumblethumbs]

Willshep's (Foamfloats.com) 19" floats are correct for the GWS Beaver, whose AUW should end up around 15-18 ozs. depending on mods, pack, paint, etc.. I covered mine with SolarFilm, but any low temp covering material will do. Do a search for "GWS Beaver" and get comfortable, you're in for a read! -thumbs

[flipstart]

Wow-what a read on the beaver-my wife thought I had disappeared-lot of good info-but still confused as to which mods are essential to build a great beaver-wonder if we could get someone to summarize all the mods and post on this forum?

After all who doesn't want a perfect Beaver? -Flip-

[fumblethumbs]

Flipstart, about the only "must-do" mods are to pin the struts somehow, replace that pesky battery hatch assembly, and if you wish you can use packing tape on the wings to prevent flutter as per the Horizon Hobby advisory. Anything else is up to your imagination, within reason of course! :) -thumbs