DIY Network

Model Seaplanes -- Introduction From "Radio Control Hobbies" episode RCH-209

Seaplanes are Chris Chianelli's personal favorite of all the RC hobbies. Here, he gets a close look at the real thing.

In this episode of DIY Radio Control Hobbies, it's water and wings with one of the most exciting facets of the RC world: radio-controlled seaplanes. Host Chris Chianelli introduces some popular seaplane models and shows how to convert an electric trainer plane into a seaplane by attaching after-market floats. Chris then takes the viewer to south Florida for some basic lessons in aquatic takeoffs and landings.

In this segment, Chris introduces several RC seaplanes, including the Bonnie® by Hobby Lobby®, which he later converts from a standard trainer to a seaplane.

advertisement

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

Introduction to RC Seaplanes

Seaplanes are Chris Chianelli's personal favorite of all the RC hobbies. Combining wind and water with these "flying boats" and boats-on-floats creates an aspect of the hobby that is both exciting and beautiful (figure A).

Model seaplanes come in a variety of sizes and styles. Here are a few examples.

• The electric-powered Wingo® from Hobby Lobby® (figure B) is constructed of heavy-duty foam and has foam floats. It's an excellent starter seaplane for the novice hobbyist.

• The giant-scale Lanier Mariner 120® (figure C) is an ARF ("almost ready to fly") model and is powered by an OS-120 4-stroke engine. Its body is constructed entirely of wood.

• Hobby Lobby's Adventura 3® (figure D) features twin-electric engines and a fiberglass body that doubles as a hull. It's also an ARF model.

• Suspended from the studio ceiling is the giant-scale Ryan® (figure E) from Great Planes Manufacturing®. It's powered by a large YS-140 supercharged 4-stroke engine. Extra power can be especially important with seaplanes as the extra lift is sometimes needed to lift off from the water.

• A smaller Mariner from Lanier is the Mariner 40® (figure F). This plane is termed a flying boat because, rather than sitting on dual floats, the plane's fuselage itself serves as the main hull. In this style of plane, the engine is raised and mounted on a pylon. With the power of the prop removed in this way from the centerline of the fuselage, the plane may have a tendency to pitch upward. This requires a slight adjustment in flying technique from that of ordinary RC planes. Additional power and up-elevator is required more frequently. It's a modified technique that takes just a little getting used to.

• Hobby Lobby's Bonnie® is a standard trainer plane (figure G) that can easily be converted to a seaplane by replacing the wheels of the landing gear with floats.

In the segment that follows, Chris does just that. He installs floats onto the Bonnie and shows how to make the necessary adjustment to the orientation of the plane to allow for takeoff from the water's surface.

Hobby Lobby's Bonnie

• Wingspan......55 inches
  
• Weight...... 3.8 lbs.
  
• Length......38 inches
  
• Top Speed......61 mph
  
• Street Price ?.. about $155