Scale Hydroplane - Page 2

SCadaddle · 06-06-2021, 09:27 PM

I've built and flown RC airplanes since 1975, started on a Dumas 1/8 scale Miller American hydroplane in about 1980. It's about 80% done and been sitting on the "someday" bone pile since.

Ayles · 06-08-2021, 08:39 AM

Seems to be pretty similar to building an airplane aside from coating the whole thing in epoxy.

I spent a bit of time studying the frame last night and coming up with a few areas to work on. Started ordering supplies etc... Will need to order plywood for skins soon as well.

I have found a few forums but they aren't anywhere close to active and my few posts have gone unanswered.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

Higgin's it's been a couple years under construction, buy your water cooled ESC and lets get yours wet!

Ayles · 02:45 PM

Started fixing and gluing where the PO left off. Picked up a supply of epoxy, glue and the rest of the wood needed to finish this thing.

herr_oberst · 06-14-2021, 02:28 PM

Rrrrrrraaaaaa-neeeeeeeeer-beeeeeeeeeer!

Ayles · 06-14-2021, 02:48 PM

A classic! I may or may not be considering that as a paintjob for this model.

Zeke · 06-14-2021, 02:49 PM

I'd be tempted to put a kart engine in one of those, sit on it, and take a ride!

Ayles · 06-14-2021, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke

I'd be tempted to put a kart engine in one of those, sit on it, and take a ride!

This one is just short of 4ft long and is 1/8 scale. There are 1/6 and I saw a 1/3 on youtube that built off of a jet ski.

Ayles · 10:58 AM

Still working on this thing. Borrowed a scroll saw(which I had never used before) and cut out my first piece of sheeting for the sponsons. Will have to make 3 more.

Ayles · 05:49 PM

First skin is glued up and looking good!

herr_oberst · 07-08-2021, 05:56 PM

That's looking good. Does the kit provide paper templates that you can glue to the sheets of spruce to guide the scroll saw?

Is spruce plywood super expensive these post-covid days?

Ayles · 07-09-2021, 08:01 AM

Thanks!! There are no templates.... The kit is just the framing. To create the templates for sheeting the guidance I was given is to take a sheet of paper, place it over the area you are covering and crease a rough outline. I cut to that general shape then sand to fit. I am happy with the first piece I made and not super excited about the second one but it does seem to fit decently.

I was also told not to worry about small gaps or imperfections since you basically go over everything with a light weight bondo type stuff called Icing.

I bought 5 sheets of 12x48" 3mm birch aircraft ply, a chunk of balsa and some basswood sticks for reinforcing for $90 shipped. I have no idea what the wood would have costed last year.

Ayles · 07-14-2021, 01:09 PM

Supposedly sheeting the sponsons is the hardest part of building these things and while I haven't done it before its certainly time consuming and hard to get right. I have one more piece to make which I should be able to knock out tonight.

Ayles · 07-18-2021, 02:02 PM

Sponson sheeting is done! Debating on the next steps.

Ayles · 08-19-2021, 09:13 PM

Lots of parts that I need are back ordered. The rear wing, front canard and other bits appear to be made by a single person.

I did a little epoxy work and made two of the top skins in the mean time.

herr_oberst · 08-20-2021, 05:34 AM

Oh no! Supply issues have reached even this level. I hope you get the parts soon!

I can't wait to see this done.

PS. If this is whisky, it's not going to drink itself!

dad911 · 08-20-2021, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayles

Lots of parts that I need are back ordered. The rear wing, front canard and other bits appear to be made by a single person. ....

Can't they be cut from wood and epoxy coated?

Ayles · 08-20-2021, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Oh no! Supply issues have reached even this level. I hope you get the parts soon!

I can't wait to see this done.

PS. If this is whisky, it's not going to drink itself!

Good eye on the whisky!!! I did open it with a buddy and it wasn't very good at all... It's a local concoction that is very young.

Ayles · 08-20-2021, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad911

Can't they be cut from wood and epoxy coated?

I think so, but not sure how that would impact the balance by hanging more weight off the back.

The fiberglass wing's are super nice though and are meant to break away and float in a crash.

Ayles · 09-18-2021, 07:30 PM

Fiberglassed about 90% of the left side of the boat last night. Really happy with how clean it came out even though this portion will be sealed/not visible.