Wheels INSIDE of Float Plane Floats!!??

[corsair]

Hello.

I am wondering if anyone here has placed wheels INTO the bottoms of floats on their float plane so it would be amphibious. I am in the process of doing so. I have started by cutting a "rectangular slot" on the bottom side of the float for the rear wheels, just right in back of the step and on the center line of the float. My floats are hollow in places and this location works out very well. I am working on "Wheel Boxes" that will then be waterproofed, to hold the rear wheels along with their axles. The boxes will then be glued into the floats.The wheels will clear the bottom of the float by about 1/8" - 1/4" for ground clearance for landing and taxiing on land. I am hoping that this little wheel exposure to the water, will NOT be a hindrance on water take-offs and also landings.

Then I need to do something with the front wheels, with about the same ground clearance. I also want to devise a way to connect the front wheels to the rudder servo OR rudder so I will have good turning ability on land.

If anyone has done - or is currently doing something like this, it would be nice to read your comments.

Thank you!

[doctormike]

I don't know why it wouldn't work. Front wheels and ground steering might be quite a challenge. Have you considered one front landing gear centered on a cross member? Seems like this would free up your steering. I'd like to hear more detail about how your steering is going to work. I believe placement would be very important so as to not interfere with on water performance. Sounds like wheels behind the step might work ok, except they would have to extend further out to clear the step.. You might need to devise a kickup rudder that can be operated by radio. There is, also, the possibility of using retracts. A steerable retract centered in front. However, I guess they would get wet, which wouldn't be good. If they could be waterproofed, somehow, the kickup rudder could be on the same channel. I hope someone can help you more. Good luck! :Cool: Doc

[WintrSol]

So, looking to avoid this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-48V1m_MZxE
Most (if not all) amphibious aircraft with floats use retracts; just don't forget to pull the wheels up before a float landing. I think differential braking is the key to steering, too. There's also this design: http://www.full-lotus.com/amphibious-floats.html
These guys don't like them much: http://www.aerocompinc.com/news/Spri...ous_floats.htm

[rifleman_btx]

The closest thing ready to go out the box to what you described is the flyzone Seawind. It does awesome on water and land base operation

[corsair]

Hello to both of you, doctormike and WintrSol.
I want to thank you both for your replies and insight. Yeah, the "front" wheels will be more of a challenge. But it will be interesting. Oh, I have seen that wheels up float plane landing before as I enjoy the videos on Youtube......., but each time I watch it......., it always comes out with the same result.............;)!! But thank you, so very much for sending it to me. And the Full Lotus website is good too. Funny about it though, I had been looking at it quite some time ago....., looking for "inspiration," but I had totally forgotten about it. Omg..., thank you for sending that along too!!!!!
I have a Flyzone Beaver that I am converting to amphibious. I have flown it with the floats for several years and it flies pretty good. I am looking forward to this modelling challenge. However...., time will tell as to how it will pan out! My modelling time is limited, but I still enjoy "pecking away" at it. I have been building and flying R C for 30 plus years and I do enjoy it!!
So again any and all thoughts are always welcome by me!!!!!
Thank you both again. :corsair

[rifleman_btx]

What I would do is use a single steering front wheel on one float and a caster wheel on the other with a spring loaded auto center for retraction. That would cut the need for having to adjust the second servo but yet still have command of your ground control.

[rifleman_btx]

And I might be able to help you out if you want to get really fancy with it but let me check when I get home to be 100% sure if I didn't hurt my second unit. But I believe I do have 2 fully operational front retract systems from the flyzone Seawind including the gear doors and all. I'll look this evening if you like and let you know what I have.

[corsair]

Hello rifleman.

Thank you also for the contact here. Yes, let me know what you have. I am guessing that the retracts are mechanical!! If so, I am then guessing that I would need 2 retract servos which would be connected with a Y harness to the retract channel on my receiver.

Thanks again for the interest and the help with this. It is truly appreciated. :corsair

[rifleman_btx]

Will do I'll check it out today, I forgot yesterday.

[rifleman_btx]

Here's what I have, both are fully functional and operational

[corsair]

Yes........., they look interesting. So I do have some questions:
1) Are they steerable and if so, how does that work?
2) In order to use these front retracts - one on each float front - would I need to have 2 retract servos and then Y-harness them together to the receiver?
3) How much would you want to sell them for?
Thank you again for your help here!! :Cool: :corsair

[rifleman_btx]

Yes they are stearable, and yes need the two servos with the y connection, the steering system has a sliding rail on the left that connects to the ball on the strut unit. Honestly I just want to get them out of here, so all I want is a video of them working in the floats when you get them installed.. I threw in a couple pics of the steering system

[corsair]

Omg........, That is a very nice gesture. Yes, I will take them and I would at least like to reimburse you for the shipping cost though. Please let me know how I can do that. Also, is there a way on this website that I could send you my name and address, without actually including it here in this posting?
Thank you again, so very much!!