RE: ACE Seamaster
I surfed onto the ACE site and found the Seamaster 40 ARF. Thought it has been re-introduced. Then I realized it was just their archive section to remind us of the great planes they no longer offer. I edited out all my excited comments, but I can't just pull the thread. ACE: If you're reading this: BRING IT BACK.
Posted on: 11/1/2009 5:56 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9220807

ACE Seamaster
Nevermind.
Posted on: 10/31/2009 10:41 AM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9217374

RE: Plane Fun Floats
Good Choice, Ralph.
Posted on: 10/29/2009 7:28 AM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9211709

RE: Question for Jim Casey
I hit "google images" for "Stearman on floats". Hit a few images: Here's another [image]http://www.air-and-space.com/200705%20Chino%20static.htm[/image] and this one solves the question about float spacing [image]http://thump01.pbase.com/u49/beagleair/small/35876988.Stearman57x5.jpg[/image] Or this: [image]http://www.canadianflight.org/files/bt_one2.jpg[/image] And a Waco from a videogame [image]http://images.surclaro.com/Screenshots/FS2004/Waco_Biplane_w-floats.jpg[/image] The same videogame has a travelair [image]http://www.farmboyzimsflightsims.com/travelair_floats_th2_01.jpg[/image] and a pretty good link with several pics. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.canadianflight.org/files/bt_fiv2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.canadianflight.org/content/bill-thompson-and-his-n3n&usg=__3SkwItxR09TsHRxCVra7j_c3I9A=&h=260&w=370&sz=28&hl=en&start=335&tbnid=Qw_8FfX3m-zQAM:&tbnh=86&tbnw=122&prev=/images%3Fq%3DStearman%2Bon%2BFloats%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D324
Posted on: 10/28/2009 10:18 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9211000

RE: Question for Jim Casey
I hit "google images" for Stearman on floats. Hit a few images: Here's another [image]http://www.air-and-space.com/200705%20Chino%20static.htm[/image] and this one solves the question about float spacing [image]http://thump01.pbase.com/u49/beagleair/small/35876988.Stearman57x5.jpg[/image] Or this: [image]http://www.canadianflight.org/files/bt_one2.jpg[/image] And a Waco from a videogame [image]http://images.surclaro.com/Screenshots/FS2004/Waco_Biplane_w-floats.jpg[/image] The same videogame has a travelair [image]http://www.farmboyzimsflightsims.com/travelair_floats_th2_01.jpg[/image] and a pretty good link with several pics. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.canadianflight.org/files/bt_fiv2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.canadianflight.org/content/bill-thompson-and-his-n3n&usg=__3SkwItxR09TsHRxCVra7j_c3I9A=&h=260&w=370&sz=28&hl=en&start=335&tbnid=Qw_8FfX3m-zQAM:&tbnh=86&tbnw=122&prev=/images%3Fq%3DStearman%2Bon%2BFloats%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D324
Posted on: 10/28/2009 10:17 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9210994

RE: Question for Jim Casey
Harvey, There is nothing specific to biplanes in my website. 75% guideline for float length still applies. You're right about the float spacing. Go at least as wide as the landing gear spacing. Stearmans still have plenty of wingspan, but it won't hurt to cheat the floats out a bit. If a typical plane has a wingspan 20% greater than the fuselage length, then 25% span spacing would be 30% of the fuse length. (It's a SWAG, but what else is there? ) Nobody squeezes the floats closer together on a clipped-wing cub! Since you have a beautiful scale subject, you might research a specific Stearman on floats to match his spacing. Good luck,
Posted on: 10/28/2009 7:01 AM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9208630

RE: GP Silhouette on Floats
Aha! Kind words met with kind words. Very gratifying. "Thank you" is not enough for me to say.
Posted on: 10/14/2009 7:29 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9173658

RE: GP Silhouette on Floats
One of the best RC Float-flying videos I have seen. Plane is always in frame and the camera work is not jiggly. Nobody talking to Edna in the background... Very Well flown, too. Your landings are beautiful.
Posted on: 10/13/2009 11:34 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9171513

RE: NEW Float Design - What do you think?
Between Seaplane (Plane Fun Floats) and Mark (Seaplane supply) making floats for us, we are in good hands. Both are fine gentlemen and both make top-quality products. I continue to be both disheartened and astonished at the newbies who show up on this BBS, and say " I decided to go float flying and bought a set of BG Detergent bottle floats or Grape Pains Cinderblocks, and I am having all sorts of problems getting airborne". Ralph, Mark , and I ( Your humble servant) are doing all we can do to save floatflying. May I suggest to all who see this message: If you know somebody planning a seaplane over the winter, at least get them to read the articles in my website [b]before[/b] they get a set of improperly-sized, overweight, poorly designed floats. I don't claim to be an expert, but I have assembled a lot of information from those who know whereof they speak. I had a couple more paragraphs of [b]rant [/b]here, but I edited them out. I would prefer to continue being helpful rather than being blacklisted.
Posted on: 9/27/2009 8:25 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9128290

RE: NEW Float Design - What do you think?
I respectfully think Mintie missed the point. It's a new design [b]that you are offering for sale.[/b] The principles are proven, and the floats can be adapted to planes that might not conveniently accept conventional twin floats. I looked at other pictures and think there is some elegant engineering there. Maybe next time the "new design" can have concentric polymorphic proton impingement step design or anticontrabulation spray rails. ;-/
Posted on: 9/27/2009 7:58 AM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9126925

RE: Float mounting question
Although Ralph (Seaplane) is very high on the list of people I want to be like if I grow up, I disagree with him on the downforce thing. Floats are a lot bigger than wheels but frontal area is not the only factor in drag. I doubt if floats make much difference in drag. Floats are a lot more streamlined than wheels. Before WWII, the fastest airplane in the world was a seaplane, and it had BIIG floats. I have never changed downforce angle when adding floats and never found it to be indicated. In fairness: One of my flying buddies in FL set up a Kadet Senior with zero downthrust. that worked too. An IggleII is a .40 size trainer. You should need floats 32-35" long. May I humbly recommend that you consult further with Ralph, since he has taken an interest in your predicament. He makes some really spiffy foam-cored floats and is developing a cult-like following here. Save the Cunningham article for later-you can always make your own custom floats when you make a scale Thrashwell-Snailby Belchfire MKIV or aqua-space shuttle. Ralph's website is http://www.geocities.com/planefunfloats/
Posted on: 9/26/2009 7:37 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9126059

RE: H9 .40 Float Strut Problems
You could always use the old set as a pattern. Get some K&S wire at the LHS. A Harry Higley wire bender is a marvelous thing. [link=http://www.harryhigley.com/14LandingGearWireBender.htm]Link to Harry's site. [/link] And this was a popup ad just under my reply: [link=http://www.hangar-9.com/Register/?&utm_source=rcu&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=rcu_sw&utm_content=ProdReg]Register your H9 Product[/link]
Posted on: 9/25/2009 6:57 AM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9122439

RE: H9 .40 Float Strut Problems
Either the welds are funky, or you're just hitting a resonance when you're warming up your motor. Does everything vibrate and get blurry before it breaks? The solder of choice is sta-brite. Available from Tower or from finer hobby shops everywhere. The flux that comes with it works very well but is awesomely corrosive, so wash it off after the joint cools. Strip a length of copper wire and you'll have a pile of strands of copper with which to wrap the joint. It'll be as neat as you make it. It'll be good to use steel wool or a Dremel wire brush to remove the plating before wrapping and soldering. A torch works better on such large joints than a soldering iron or gun. Might be better to take off the wires and bolt them to a sacrificial board before applying heat.
Posted on: 9/24/2009 7:16 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9121330

RE: Float mounting question
I believe you diagnosed your problem correctly. When you get up on step, the negative incidence in the bottoms of the floats is letting the plane rock over onto the noses of the floats. It's like trying to push a wheelbarrow really fast. It is conventional to set the plan up relative to the tops of the floats, but the real parameter of interest is the planing angle of the bottoms and yours is off. Actually your "free" floats have been pretty expensive........ Also, just additional information: the incidence of an Eagle wing is about 1 1/2 degrees positive from the bottom....the chord line is measured from the most forward edge of the dowel to the center of the trailing edge. Somebody already threw you a link to my website: I don't sell anything but I threw several links on there where to get good, foam-cored floats. It has been reported that RNZ is no longer operational but the website is still up. Plane Fun Floats and Seaplane Supply are both good choices. Oh, and don't blame the motor for inadequate power to perform inverted maneuvers: it's the Eagle airfoil. The almost sharp leading edge is the culprit. I had an Eaglet50 (same, just smaller) and tried everything to get an outside loop, including terminal-speed dives for airspeed. All I could get was level inverted flight regardless of the position of the stick. With a good set of floats I generally notice IMPROVED inverted performance.
Posted on: 9/24/2009 6:48 AM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9119860

RE: Flustered with futter
You have investigated everything except stiffer control horns. The molded plastic ones that come with the kit are kinda limp and if they are not installed over a hard-point, they can dent the balsa that they are sitting on and work in some slop. Trim out some control horns from3/32 ply or carbon fiber sheet. Slice full depth through the aileron, and epoxy the new stiffer horns in place. Make sure all the geometry matches wing-to-wing, that the linkage hole is aligned with the hinge line, and the hinge holes have the same height in both wings. Heavy-duty servo arms, and beefy pushrods complete the triad.
Posted on: 9/13/2009 10:46 AM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Aerodynamics"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9091669

RE: Propellar for larger gas engine
There was a thread on here a while back where someone claimed he put copper foil tape on the LE; like the WW1 propellers.
Posted on: 9/11/2009 7:53 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9087876

RE: No more ARF Seaplanes???
>>he claims there's no more demand for them<< Well, sales go to zero when you stop supplying them. When have you ever been to a float-fly when there weren't multiple Seamasters? And Mariners: Why did you-know-who buy Lanier then dump all their models?
Posted on: 9/6/2009 8:08 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9074584

RE: GP extra 330
I have had servos in the bottoms of the wing forever, and never a problem. I used external servos when I built a Kadet Sr for my son, and it survived float flying. Search for other threads on this: Ed Moorman recommends a particular brand of servos that are specifically waterproof. If in doubt: A dab of vaseline on the shaft, case joint, and wire entry.
Posted on: 9/6/2009 9:23 AM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9073401

RE: Powerplant for 26% 206
I apologize but I can't restrain myself from pointing out that those are "Wiplines". Full-size planes don't change engines when mounting floats and there's no reason for you to. 3 cubic inches is 50cc, which is pretty big anyway. 5 cubic inches would be about 80 cc. Floats add a little weight and drag but unless you're doing something massively wrong it's not THAT much. Since you are building it yourself: Build light.
Posted on: 9/2/2009 9:18 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9065580

RE: First attempt at floats, would like to see if I'm on track so far
A little hard to tell from the pics but you may have a bit too much incidence. If it porpoises on take off, that's why. Or if it gets going fast then yaws wildly before liftoff. . Cover your wingtips.
Posted on: 8/28/2009 11:34 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9053391

RE: Enough power?
Well, there is always the 75 watts per pound guideline for sport flying, 100W/lb for spunky. How much does it weigh? The 25 should fly a 4 lb airplane adequately, and a .40 would haul about 7 pounds without prob. Not 3D, but just pleasant sport flying. Also, the photo looks like the left wing has more washout than the right.
Posted on: 8/23/2009 7:09 AM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9037351

RE: 1/3 FLOATS
Didn't mean to leave you out of my response, Mark. I just wasn't sure if you did custom sizes. Good to know. We get SO many guys who buy Cinderblock floats before they start posting here. 20-size floats from Champaign, IL weigh over 2 pounds. And that's BEFORE they leak and carry around a bunch of sloshing water. Kind of a lot for a 3-pound airplane. I recommend foam-core floats every chance I get.
Posted on: 8/22/2009 7:00 AM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9035242

RE: 1/3 FLOATS
The best floats are aftermarket. Floats supplied with kits are almost always afterthoughts. Buy floats from people who specialize in floats. If you want scale floats, there is SeaCommander. They make Gorgeous fiberglass floats, but for probably more than your budgetary number. If you want performance and durability, there are 5 manufacturers of foam-cored floats listed on my website. PlaneFun floats definitely do custom sizes, and I think Seaplane supply might also. Right length of floats is 75-80% of the distance from the prop washer to the rudder hinge line. Take a measurement, do the math, and then take a look at the websites to see if you find what you need.
Posted on: 8/13/2009 7:08 AM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9012762

RE: Fiberglassing Floats
Good advice, Chip. I have been know to do much like you did, but with WBPU instead of thinned epoxy. I keep my heat gun handy, and force-dry the PU when I need to keep it stuck. Beau, be sure to Overlap the edges so they'll have a double thickness of cloth. That's where the abrasion happens. and be SURE to keep the step sharp as Chip pointed out.
Posted on: 8/11/2009 6:52 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9008536

RE: source for float plans
Here's one article..a little more complicated than it has to be, but very nice floats when finished. [link=http://www.smilesandwags.com/Floatsite/Foam%20Float%20Core%20Construction.docx]Float construction[/link] Here is the classic Cunningham article:[link=http://flyinglindy.homestead.com/skisandfloats.html]Cunningham[/link] These are basic, easy to make floats and they work. You can fine tune the design later. Thanks for the kind words, Stan
Posted on: 7/29/2009 7:21 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8974624

RE: ULTRA STICK 40 WHAT SIZE FLOATS AND SUGESTIONS ?
Rob, The FAQ sticky has lots of stuff to answer your question, including 5 places to buy really good foam-core floats. go here: http://www.smilesandwags.com/Floatsite/FAQ.html Since you are in Kissimmee, you might want to zip over to the Florida Float Flyers pond in Dover (Just west of Plant City) I-4, South on McIntosh road, Left on MLK(574), south on Dover road about a mile, right immediately before the tracks. They fly Saturday mornings from around 8 to 10:30 or 11, then everybody grabs brunch.
Posted on: 7/25/2009 4:43 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8962240

RE: Kadet LT-40 Kit a good first float plane?
Yep. Seaplane is right(as usual). Ernst rudders are best. If you have an unusual installation and the Ernst rudders just won't fit, you can make a rudder out of K&S brass sheet, or an old credit card, or the clear plastic stuff left over from the blister pack that everything comes in, or window stock. I Used with a brass hinge imbedded in the back of whatever it is that gets the rudder. A plastic hinge would also work. I had success letting it kick up by threading a 4-40 x 1 1/2" screw thru the rudder/hinge, then using a nylon insert nut tightened down so it just had no slop but wasn't tight, then an aileron horn on the end of the 4-40 screw. Activate with a pushrod or with a longer piece of 4-40 stud, use 2 ail horns, 2 nylon insert nuts, and pullpulls. I will draw one of my famous pictures if necessary.
Posted on: 7/25/2009 4:40 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8963149

RE: low wing servos exposed a problem?
I have had several planes with standard miscellaneous servos mounted under the wing and never a problem. Water exposure to the servo is momentary and it blows off as soon as you take off or pull any Gs. I suppose water could wick uphill with capillary action, but it has to get thru the greasy gearset first before it can hurt the electronics. Now a servo buried in a float is entirely different. I'd dunk one of those in wax before using it that way.
Posted on: 7/23/2009 8:51 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8958956

RE: Kadet LT-40 Kit a good first float plane?
Fentonflyer: Bless you, lad, for being a kitbuilder. So few of us are left. Confession: I didn't even know the LT was available as a kit. Senior and Seniorita....... I built a Senior for my son a few years back. Changed a lot of stuff. Bolt-on flat wing, Flaps, Ailerons, Round wingtips and the tips on the control surfaces. 4 servos in the wing. Magnum .70 4-stroke-moved the firewall back 1 1/2" to help the balance. I made a set of floats to fit it. Taildragger when the wheels are on. Removable cowl instead of just cheeks. It flies GREAT. Since I redesigned most of it, it did take me a long time to build. Good luck with the LT-40.
Posted on: 7/20/2009 7:32 PM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8950016

RE: Kadet LT-40 Kit a good first float plane?
".......this winter? I wont be needing the floats until then." Heck, a Kadet LT is an ARF, and all you have to do is cover and mount Seaplane's floats. You could be flying next WEEKEND!!! If you wait 'til winter to start building then you're gonna want to go flying in the spring when it's all muddy and slushy in MI. It's really windy in the spring, too. Hurry! do it now while the weather is right!!!
Posted on: 7/18/2009 8:48 AM by Author "JimCasey" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8943278