Well, I've never done a build log before but thought I'd give it a try in case anyone was interested. I'm building a Canadair CL-415 water bomber, also known as the Super Scooper. It's the MR Aerodesign kit and will have scale retracts and a working water drop system. The kit is designed for two stroke .46s but I am going electric. I'll be using Hacker A50-12L motors along with Hacker X110 Opto pro ESCs. I'm going to power them with 4- 3s 3800mAh 25C Gens Ace running 2 pairs in series for 6s7600 and run those pairs in parallel. For props I want a scale 4 blade and I will be taking an APC 15.5X12 and cutting it down to a 12x12.
The kit is fantastic to say the least. All laser cut with CAD plans. All the pieces are interlocking, the water tank is designed all out of acrylic and the retracts are a work of art. The 3 air cylinders included with the retracts are industrial grade air cylinders. Included in the kit are nicely laid up fiberglass pieces for the top section of the cockpit, tip floats, front section of the nacelles, and access hatches for the nacelles. The only drawback, so to speak, is there are no written build instructions. There are 3 sheets of full size plans with everything listed on them and anyone who has built several kits should have no problems building this one.
I started building today, starting with the fuselage. I started at the front and working to the rear. The picture shows how far I got, the next item to do is to build the water tank and install it before I can proceed any further.

I'll be following this build with interest. My first question is the scale size propellers? 12" sounds small for the planes scale! Just asking -hehe.
I know there is not a lot of choices for 4 blade props out there, but thrust will be everything on this plane, speed is far less important. My concern here is the 12" pitch's efficiency. I have not built any planes with 4 bladers, because of the scale issues. My first job in the selection process is to find a prop at scale size.
Right now, IMO, the only real choice is Vario-Prop in 4 blade, the adjustable pitch can solve the power required issues without buying 40 propellers for testing.
FWIW Doug B

I totally agree with you about the prop choice. Actually, if I build this exactly to scale, an 11" prop would be the largest prop I could use due to clearance issues with the fuselage. I plan on moving the nacelles about 1/2" to 3/4" further out on the wing than scale in order to swing a larger prop. I don't feel it's going to detract from the looks as it's not that big of a difference and besides I don't plan on entering it in any "scale" contests.
I have another CL-415 (the one Nitroplanes sells) that I've powered with the Hacker A50-16 and running on 6s with the APC 15.5X12 and frankly it's overpowered. I can take off and climb out at 1/2 throttle. I plan on taking the pair of 15.5X12 props that I have and I am going to cut them down 1" and test them, then cut them another 1" and test and see what kind of numbers I'm getting and how they fly so I will be able to see if indeed I can fly with the 12" prop or if I will have to go up a little bigger.

I just did the same thing on my last build, installed the nacelles out 3/4" farther to get clearance for 12/8/3 blades. No one has noticed!! That was on my new Tracker. bigger is always better when it comes to props, even 13" wouldn't look out of place if your moving the nacelles anyways. Thrust goes way up, speed is strictly determined by pitch.
Can't wait to see this bird come together! I'm off to check out MR Aerodesigns site for more specs. Interest is UP!! FWIW Doug B

I got the majority of the water tank built, still have to install the servos and hookup the linkages and then test for leaks. I really like the way that Martin designed the tank. It's operation is just about identical to the way the full size works.

Hi Herman: i spent a little time at MR Aerodesign checking out the specs. WOW, nice kit. I was thinking it was a lot bigger, but at 80", props from 11 to 12 will suit it just fine.
Unfortunately for me, as keen as I am about the plane, it is way beyond any budget I have -hehe. With all the acc, it becomes a major investment.
I'll continue to watch as this plane comes together, it appears to be truly well designed and fully setup, it is certain to be a real attention getter at the fields or ponds.
The water tank system is masterpiece of design. Doug B

Been a while since I last worked on the CL-415, I had a Cub that I wanted to get some floats built for that took priority but now that that's taken care of I'm back to the CL-415.
With the water tank finished up the next step, in assembly of the fuselage, is the main gear. Martin did another great job in engineering on the retracts. They look and operate just like the full size aircraft. With that being said it also means that you don't just drop in an assembled unit and bolt it in place, you have to build them from the ground up. The gear, much like the water tank, are almost a kit with in the kit. It took me 2 days to get them built, installed and working properly. Since the fuselage parts are interlocking I took advantage of this feature and dry fit everything , using clamps to hold it together, and tested the gear to make sure everything was as it was supposed to be and working good before gluing it all together. It really worked out good this way as I was able to take it apart to tweak ta few things not to mention a couple of parts that I didn't have installed properly on the first attempt.

Just 2 more pictures to add of the gear in the retracted position

HM, Thats gonna be nice!


Have you seen this hydraulic gear conversion?
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=14054

HobbyKing Daily - Hydraulic Conversion Kit (2 min 38 sec)

Originally Posted by TripleW

HM, Thats gonna be nice!


Have you seen this hydraulic gear conversion?
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=14054

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBBdrRN2bX4

Yea, I've seen that conversion. It's pretty cool as your gear will operate smoothly and more scale like but there's a big downside to it. On my air operated gear, if I have a leak I'll loose air pressure and the gear won't work. worse case scenario I'll have to belly it in (if there's no water nearby for this plane) With the hydraulic operated gear if it develops a leak, the gear won't work, possibly have to belly it in AND.......There is hydraulic oil all over the inside of the fuselage. Think I'll pass on that conversion.

Hi Herman: I must say the quality looks outstanding here, nice work on the assembly! I especially like the industrial air cylinders, far superior to the RC market stuff. Its going to be a beauty for sure. Still watching with envy! Doug B

Here's a short video showing the gear operating.

Main Gear (0 min 17 sec)

I got a little bit more done. I finished up the frame work that goes from the main gear bay to the rear of the aircraft and installed the nose gear. This basically finishes up the fuselage as far as the frame work is considered. Next up I'll be building the horz. and vert. stabilizer.

Originally Posted by Herman Munster

Here's a short video showing the gear operating.

May be an airflow restrictor is in order?

Brian, an EAJ

Originally Posted by bhchan

May be an airflow restrictor is in order?

Brian, an EAJ

Maybe I just haven"t adjusted it yet?