RE: Will it be good for another 15 years?
Hi Tom, Flew this weekend at a NH Float Fly and the winds were blowing 15-20 mph. Not a lot of fun for most but I managed to get in some flights with my electrics that I don't care about much. I did fly the Kingfisher once and many thought I was crazy but that thing at 10 1/2 lbs handles the wind with no problem. There were 8" or so waves with white caps and it looked like some of the old Navy pictures of the real ones crashing through the ocean. Landings and takeoffs were without issue. The Kingfisher design is really so good in the water it surprises me and everyone else. While other planes were having all kinds of issues especially after landing (flipping over in the wind) the Kingfisher stayed planted on the water. It took a little to get it turned around but once that was accomplished it was easy to taxi back. The pictures were taken on Sunday where the wind calmed to about 12-15mph until about 10:30 when it went up again.
Posted on: 9/17/2012 10:18 AM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11231205

RE: Road trip,,
Man, I've been waiting for the pictures! Hopefully someone else will post some. I'm going to a nice FF in NH this weekend and my club's is on for Oct. 20th again. Last year was almost 40 pilots. Started just 4 years ago with 6-7 pilots in honor of John Nicolaci it has turned out to be a really great FF. This year we're giving awards and prizes.
Posted on: 9/11/2012 8:00 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11225676

RE: Will it be good for another 15 years?
That black rot sucks![:@] My H9 Super cub has the same issue on the floats I made. Was it just the float damaged? If so, I'm sure you're going to make a new float. Maybe you can make the water rudder work on the idea that mine does down through the rear strut with a torque rod. Every float with a servo in it seems to do this eventually. Hope you get it back up.
Posted on: 9/11/2012 7:56 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11225674

RE: Gas engine collection
Thanks for the info. All of the engines appear complete and have spark. All but one have very clean bores and piston tops. One is slightly black (carbon) but not bad. The compression on all seems very good also. I don't see a reason that they wouldn't all run other than carb issues that are unseen. I believe the Sachs is a Walker Machine version and it's good that the cylinder head is available as it was cut at one time. It is the Mahle which I understand to be the best one too. I will put these engines for sale here or RCU and see what happens. Thanks Again. Ted
Posted on: 9/7/2012 7:49 AM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220648

RE: Gas engine collection
Thanks for the info. I know they are Quadra 40's as two have that written on them. It was mainly the other two, evidently the Sachs, and the other one I didn't know what they were. Is this all worth $300-$350? What is a ball park figure? Thanks
Posted on: 9/6/2012 7:27 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220211

Gas engine collection
Hello All, Looking for some info. I'm not into gassers and a member of our club, who passed recently, daughter is looking to sell his stuff. She is not well off and has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and us guys in the club are trying to get her as much money as we can. There are 6 engines in all with one just for parts (Quadra 35). There appears to be 3 Quadra 40's, two other engines, and two electronic ignitions in the box. I need help on value and determining the brands of the other two engines. Doing some research, one engine I believe is a Brisson w/electronic ignition. The head fins were cut off, not crash damage, I imagine to fit into a cowling. The other engine I have no idea what it is. All of the capacitor ignition engines are showing spark when spun and all have good compression. One Quadra has the spring starter. The mufflers on most are only fair with only one muffler bolt per engine but that is not a big deal. The ignitions appear new and were in their respective shipping boxes but I have no way to test. One has the more expensive Bosch plug cap on it as it is listed that way on supplied paperwork. As I go through the collection there might be more stuff associated with the gassers and that will go with everything. I am looking for ideas on a good asking price to sell everything as a package quickly for her. They are starting her treatments in a week or two.
Posted on: 9/6/2012 7:43 AM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11219429

TF Cessna 182
Man, I can't help buying things I see even when I have so many yet to build. I just picked up a nicely started TF 182 here on RCU for the right price. I've always like a Cessna on floats as they are not seen as often as the Cubs and Beavers. I've found a real nice looking full scale I will try and model. I've sent an email to the company that has it to see if I can get more pictures. Once I've got the Andrews A-Ray done this one will get on the board. The airframe is all framed up with the wings, tail feathers completely done. The fuse is about 40% done. Should be a fast build. Will have to put on some nice scale floats. http://www.wipaire.com/Wipaire-Dev/piwigo/upload/2012/06/18/20120618100146-46a3ddf4.jpg
Posted on: 8/30/2012 5:34 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11209789

RE: Cub of a different color.
Hi Tom, Yea, I think the grommets have gone soft as I can move the motor pretty easily, up and down, side to side. I couldn't move it that much when I first mounted the engine but more so now. I have got new grommets on order. On it's flying ability. I don't really understand why it flies so much nicer than my H9 Super Cub (which flies nice). It's hard to describe the difference but it just has a more positive feel on the sticks. It doesn't seem to have the usual cub sluggishness that most have when flying scale speeds. The SC has a Saito 150 and it doesn't seem to move out any better than the Sig w/OS120. Kind of makes me want to change the prop on the Saito from a 16x6 to the same 16x4 on the OS to see if it's the difference.
Posted on: 8/29/2012 5:49 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11210881

RE: Cub of a different color.
Flew it again yesterday. This is a super flying plane that gets right up on step at half throttle and with the littlest amount of up it leaves the water just like a full scale. It is one of the nicest flying cubs I've ever flown. Rudder turns are super sweet and slipping it right around to flaring it down to a perfect touchdown is just great. My buddy Gerry agrees and is even tempted to get the kit and build one for himself. I will not be selling it and now will be putting on the reg numbers. One problem I am having with it is the Dubro rubber mounted aluminum motor mounts. It has twice broken my exhaust. First was an older muffler that came apart at the rear seam and second was my new 90 degree fitting from RC Specialties. I have purchased many of these fitting and never had one break. I am ordering new grommets thinking they might be tired as the mount is older and used. Hope that fixes the issue. The old OS 120 runs perfectly and with the 16x4 prop hauls this thing around with authority, just need to get the exhaust sorted out.
Posted on: 8/28/2012 8:09 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11209799

RE: Cub of a different color.
Flew it yesterday and it flies very well. The solid mount float rudder makes for some hairy take offs so that will be changed with a flip up rudder. The OS 120 w/16x4 prop is an excellent combination. At half throttle it lifts right off and maintains flight with just over a third. It definitely has a "presence" in the air and the color combination adds to it. A few small items to straighten out and it will be all set. Lost the rear of the old OS muffler while flying and all the exhaust was going into the cowl making for some pretty interesting sounds and engine running characteristics. Already put a new muffler on and a couple more cooling holes in the cowl should finish it up. A fellow pilot told me he loved the "Sophia Veraga Blue" color so I decided to call the plane Sophia. I think a woman pilot is called for in this one. I might be putting up my H9 Super Cub for sale and keeping this one. We'll see.[:D]
Posted on: 8/22/2012 1:05 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11202394

RE: Cub of a different color.
Well, finally got it done, all together, and ready to go. My buddy Gerry got the cowl, struts, windshield frames, wire float struts, and tail feather support wires all painted. He did a great job as usual and did a really good job matching the blue. He used a satin catalyst to match the Solartex look. Got all the electrics in foam and balanced it out perfect. It's on the chargers now and will be maiden tomorrow hopefully. I think it looks real nice. The wire grill box came out nice with the black paint on the cowl. Gerry even painted a door frame, the engine, and the exhaust pipes.
Posted on: 8/20/2012 10:36 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11200501

RE: Cub of a different color.
Advise well taken Red Head and I was just able to get his phone. I'm going to call him up and have a good long conversation. Ted
Posted on: 7/31/2012 6:45 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11176592

RE: Cub of a different color.
Glazing is in. The plastic Sig sells is pretty thick and really clear. Using the windshield pattern Sig supplies in the manual very little fitting was needed. I used a contact cement I have found works extremely well on our models for applying things like windscreen and plastic blisters. It is called Welder and comes in red metal tubes sold at Lowes. The metal tubes have a model cement type tip so small amounts of glue can be applied unlike most other types of contact cement it tubes. I trimmed back the covering around the windows and in the places the windscreen will make positive contact with the airframe so the glass isn't held on by the covering. I will mask the window frames off and paint when the cowl is painted. The skylight in the wing was framed up using some Plasticstruct square tubing and then using the Welder contact cement, glued in. The frame will get the same masking and paint as the rest. The struts have been glass reinforced and resined. The sanding is done and they will go to prime then finish paint. Hope to have it flying in a couple weeks. Will have the pictures of the maiden posted when it happens.
Posted on: 7/31/2012 8:03 AM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11175829

RE: Cub of a different color.
Probably go half share with someone at first if I go that route. Maybe if I decide to really get into it I'll try and buy him out. My inlaws live in a house in central FL and with the 182 RG you can get there in 5 1/2hrs. My wife kind of likes that. Thing is I have a friend with a grass field and hanger just 2 miles from my house. He told me if I bought a plane I could keep it there free as he'd like the company. He is kind of a hermit and lives there alone. Doesn't like too many people on his land so a shared plane wouldn't work. I can fly RC there too with my brother and Gerry but that is it, nobody else. I learned to fly when I was 12 through 14 yrs old with a family friend. He was a great pilot and he had quite a history. He was originally a navigator in a bomber during the European campaign, WWII. When the pilot and co-pilot got shot he took over the controls and flew the wounded bomber back. He then was asked if he wanted to fly fighters and then volunteered. They put him in a P51 and he flew until the end of the war. Never asked any more about the action he saw. I wonder if I could look him up somewhere. He was a real short guy and another guy who passed who was in our club was one of the mechanics at his base. He said "Ernie" was a two cushion guy. He needed the extra cushions so he could see out of the canopy. He was a super nice guy and I ended up teaching HIM how to fly RC when I was 19. I used to go to his business which was next door to my parent's house and work on some of the planes he was restoring. I helped on a Cessna 190, holding the riveting anvil inside the fuse as I was the smallest (12 yrs). The next year he got a beautiful staggerwing but ended up getting a crazy offer from a guy out in the midwest so he sold it before even getting it close to flying. It had two fresh radials on stands that went with it. I learned to fly with him in his Cessna 205 and then later in his 337 Skymaster. I liked the 205 more and so did he. We had lost touch in the last 25 years but I just saw his son when he was in town and found out he is doing well in Kissimee FL. Funny thing is the FAA took his license way back in the 80's due to a small murmur or something like that and here he is still going strong. His son says he rides a bicycle and plays a little golf or tennis(can't remember).
Posted on: 7/26/2012 6:47 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11170643

RE: Cub of a different color.
Thanks Tom. Maybe someday my wife and I can make it to Oshkosh(little jealous). I got an idea. Maybe I should buy a full size cub and paint it like this Sig and then there would definitely be one like it![:D] On another note: I helped my buddy who has a Kolb light sport aircraft by designing/building a swing open canopy, doing some wiring, and engine work. He flew over my house yesterday about 150' to buzz us. It seems to fly really well and that Rotax though pretty loud, purred like a kitten. He has a few friends flying some other nice designs. Never know, might have a go at it. I think I'd prefer a full size 182RG though.
Posted on: 7/26/2012 7:10 AM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11169904

RE: Cub of a different color.
Cowl is in primer and the struts are in resin. Have the exhaust in with a RC Specialties 90 degree fitting. Jim does super nice exhaust fittings and for $20! Got the two tone lightning stripe done so now its waiting for the cowl and struts to be final painted. Will start on the windows and windscreen tonight. Should be going up soon. Leaving for a 10 vacation with the wife next week so it might not happen for a couple weeks though.
Posted on: 7/25/2012 9:15 AM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11168595

RE: Great planes float kit Alpha 40
Take a few pictures of the floats and plane with the step in the correct location (+or- 1/2" from center cg). It will be easier for people to give you ideas. I assume you are trying to use the strut wires in the stock "cub" configuration.
Posted on: 7/23/2012 3:24 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11166312

RE: Cub of a different color.
Thanks CF. With it possibly being for sale I'm currently leaving the numbers off in case the new owner wants to personalize it. Some big black numbers on that "surf board" wing will really add to it. I did look at a lot of the old b&w pictures to get some ideas but also looked at some of the cubs we have down here at the local airport. Living on the coast, there are a lot of cubs with big belly tanks used for fish spotting here in New England. These pilots have their cubs painted in all different colors and configurations so they can be told from others when flying over the boats. They are also loaded with long range radio antennas. Can you imagine 5-6 yellow cubs or red and white SC's coming over! Last thing the fishermen want to do is memorize reg. numbers! I originally thought of dark red and aluminum as I already had the covering but my buddy thought it would look like crap. Then low and behold, Hanger 9's Tiger Moth comes out on the cover of a mag with the same damn colors and it looks real nice. Oh well, either way, red or the blue I used looks good.
Posted on: 7/22/2012 8:35 AM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11164440

RE: Cub of a different color.
Thanks SmithCreek. It seems more like it than hate it, that's for sure. Got a little further along. Cowl has been modified, mounted, and custom brass intake made. Struts have been made up, shaped, and jury struts done. Struts and cowl gone to buddy's house for paint. Have to do the two color lightning stripe yet then glass. On board glow, fuel tank, remote filler, all servos all in. Waiting for 90 degree fitting for exhaust to route it out the back of cowl. More I work on this plane the more I think I might keep it unless I get a good offer.
Posted on: 7/20/2012 9:16 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11163177

RE: Cub of a different color.
Good to hear you found it. Trying to get this cub done so I can maiden. Damn thing is big! Took $100 worth of Solartex to cover. Probably have some guy offer me $75 for it! LOL
Posted on: 7/16/2012 3:57 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11157777

RE: Cub of a different color.
Hi Tom, How did you make out with your KF, did you get it straightened out? On the cub, I had a "purist" tell me it looks gaudy. I think it kind of looks like the old Cessnas of the same era. Of course they were aluminum and had an excuse to he half of those colors!
Posted on: 7/16/2012 8:26 AM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11157227

Cub of a different color.
I picked up an old man's plane collection and have going through them and selling them one by one. This Sig 1/4 cub w/floats and land gear needed a total recover and new power. While lots of guys love a cub lots hate the fact most are yellow or OD. I decided to cover this one in period colors but not the typical Cub colors. I had a few say I was crazy but give me your opinions. It's not quite done yet but will be soon and maiden flight before the end of this month. This cub will be for sale I think but you never know once I fly it![:D] Sig 1/4 cub OS 1.20 FS Sonictronics On board glow JR 4131 90oz. torque servos on elevator and rudder All Solartex covering, brand new Sig floats, push-pull cable driven water rudder All new windows New BUSA fiberglass cowl w/engine detail, customized to fit Some pictures of it before covering and after.
Posted on: 7/16/2012 8:03 AM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11157196

RE: Has anyone tried the Dynam PBY Catalina?
I've had one for quite a long time and it has many flights. The wing marker lights gave out pretty quickly and the 2.4 receiver didn't like to bind every time so I put in a Spektrum one. I found out that putting the battery back about 1" from the front of the battery box will give the best in performance for take offs, landings, and general flying. I roll mine all the time and have not had it tip stall at all. It will fly in 15mph wind too without much issue. It has been a very good airplane and should service you well.
Posted on: 7/11/2012 9:18 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11152138

RE: H9 1/4 Cub Cowl
Actually ended up cutting a V in the top and bottom of the cowl to bring in the width. Will mount the cowl to blocks on the fuse then V the sides below the molded in motors to bring the bottom up to match the fuse. Really not that much work but still a pain. The BUSA cowl is a full inch at the top and about 1/2-5/8 at the bottom. My cowl was also twisted and deformed a little but it now won't matter after we re glass it. Just a little more work cutting and then it will all be glassed. Thought I was going to sell this but it's looking real nice and if I don't get my full asking price then I'll keep it. Some more pictures of the fuse with the land gear on it. It's going to get a two tone lightning bolt on the side. Aluminum on the blue and blue on the aluminum with a small separation where the main fuse colors meet on the angle in the tail area.
Posted on: 7/10/2012 12:55 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11150268

RE: Where should the step be?
I have always put my step about 1/2" behind the CG and never had a problem. I just recently got a Goldberg Cub (77.5" span) with the Goldberg floats and they are set up to Goldberg specs which is the step 1/2" ahead of the CG. I have found this to work even better at least on the Cubs. It handles well and lifts off the water without the the "pop" or "breaking" off the water some of the float planes will do. I will start experimenting with the location of the step on my future float planes. I currently have a Sig 1/4 scale Cub I'm recovering and it came with a set of Sig 1/4 scale floats made for it. I am going to look for the location of the step on those to see if they are set up like the Goldberg ones.
Posted on: 7/9/2012 8:17 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11149468

RE: H9 1/4 Cub Cowl
Yes it is![:@] I received, put it on the plane, and it and found it's to wide. Pretty easy to cut it down the middle and re-glass it as it has a pretty heavy seam on it now that needs to be sanded down anyway. Might as well cut it to the right width then re-glass it at the seam. Don't understand how all these 1/4 scale cubs vary with the different widths. I could understand a 1/4 inch or so but the BUSA is almost a full inch too wide over the Sig. I thought at first it was a 1/3 one. I have one of the scale Continental motors that goes on the Sig cowl and it is the exact size as the molded in one on the BUSA one so it's a 1/4 scale cowl for sure.
Posted on: 7/9/2012 1:27 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11149021

RE: H9 1/4 Cub Cowl
Thanks Joe, That is what I was looking for. I was making an order to Balsa USA and ordered one of their cowls. Hope it fits. Here is some pictures of my recovering of this plane. I thought I would do something different with the colors. Lots of guys like a cub but can't get past the fact they all are the same yellow. I used a couple of colors of the proper era and will do some striping too. The wings will be the aluminum with about a 3-4" blue leading edge curving around the wing tips. The center of the wing over the fuse will also be the same blue. I know some won't like it but when it's done I think it will look pretty good. Not finished with the tail feathers and the blue will continue up the fin and onto the rudder. OS 1.20 in the nose and Sig floats. If you can believe it I will have about $100 in new Solartex on this when done. It's a big plane.
Posted on: 7/4/2012 8:49 AM by Author "chistech" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11142616

RE: H9 1/4 Cub Cowl
I know Fiberglass Specialties has one I just have access to purchase a H9 easier and cheaper. This plane is going to be for sale and you know how it is, you never get even close to your money for used so I don't want to put crazy money into this plane if I'm just going to loose it. This is why I've asked if the H9 will fit.
Posted on: 6/27/2012 7:16 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11134560

H9 1/4 Cub Cowl
Does anyone know if a H9 1/4 Cub cowl will fit a Sig 1/4 Cub? Sig does not have them on the parts list.
Posted on: 6/27/2012 10:33 AM by Author "chistech" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11133922

RE: RC Plane Guys Are Cheap!
Here's that Cub on floats. New owner absolutely loves it, learned to fly floats with it, is completely happy, and was a big fan of electric planes only till this one. Of course, he thinks it's amazing that he paid over $400 for his Nextar EP and hates flying it compared to this $275 float plane that some would think he was a sucker in buying! I guess I screwed him on the floats too. I stripped the old covering, applied Balsarite, then re-covered them with aluminum Solartex. Then of course, I mounted them to his plane, hooked up the water rudder linkage, and made sure it was balanced correctly. Oh, I forgot, I also removed the wood prop and put a new fibre one because I didn't really care that the water can chew up a wood prop!
Posted on: 6/17/2012 6:44 PM by Author "chistech" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11121783