Herr Aqua Star

[mikerenz66]

Has anyone converted this model?? If so, what power system??

TIA
Mike

[nick.wright]

Mike,
I thought about building one of these. From what I've heard, they don't ROW. I'll find some more info and post.

[mikerenz66]

Thanks Nick,

I did see build by someone on this on there web addy..........but I just cannot find it.
Mike

[Watts up]

In RCM&E this was converted with a brushed 400 and 8 cell pack. Can't remember much else but it did ROW, abeit with difficulty. Perhaps add some ailerons to help

[mikerenz66]

Theanks for the info Watts, I am sure a stout brushless and lipos would solve any ROW difficulty

Mike

[Watts up]

i would still add ailerons though but to each his own

[fallsflyer]

Rick Smith of the Twin Cities Radio Controllers flys one with a direct drive speed 400. He's also flown it with a small brushless set-up, but maintains it doesn't need that much HP. He added an additional bay to the wings and additional upthrust from that of the plans and has a great little flyer in it. I look forward to his flying it at the spring and fall float flies they host each year. Here's their web site address: http://www.tcrconline.com/

[fallsflyer]

Check out a video of Rick's Aquastar at: http://www.tcrconline.com/movies.htm

[gotime242]

Mike,
I thought about building one of these. From what I've heard, they don't ROW. I'll find some more info and post.


They do, but splash/spray guards/rails are a must. If you do a search on it on the other big forum you will find what im talking about.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2224/anchors_2224/mpage_1/key_aquastar%252Cspray/anchor/tm.htm#2224

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1162384/anchors_1162384/mpage_1/key_aquastar%252Cspray/anchor/tm.htm#1162384

[soarrc]

There was an article/write up on converting this plane to electric several years ago. I think it was in MAN. I have saved a copy of it and can look it up if anyone is intrested.
Found them.
AQUA STAR articles. The first 3 are for glow.

By Herr Engineering. Product review by Ron Baddorf, RCM April 1999, Pgs 120 – 128.

By Randy Randolph, MAN, Dec.1998 Pgs 68 -71.

By Michael Ramsey, FM, Nov 2000 Pgs 28 – 31.

By Nick Ziroli Sr. FM March 2001 Pgs 32 – 34.

The article by Ziroli uses a Speed 400 direct drive, 7-8 cells and 2 mini servos. He modified the fuselage to give it a little more volume.

[soarrc]

d

[mikerenz66]

Mike,
I found the following articles on the Aqua Star. I have the kit and some day will convert it to electric. All the articles are worth reading.
AQUA STAR articles. The first 3 are for glow.

By Herr Engineering. Product review by Ron Baddorf, RCM April 1999, Pgs 120 – 128.

By Randy Randolph, MAN, Dec.1998 Pgs 68 -71.

By Michael Ramsey, FM, Nov 2000 Pgs 28 – 31.

By Nick Ziroli Sr. FM March 2001 Pgs 32 – 34.

The article by Ziroli uses a Speed 400 direct drive, 7-8 cells and 2 mini servos. He modified the fuselage to give it a little more volume.

Thanks for the info

Mike

[retiredVTT]

..more info here..

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=288988

Bill

[hoppy]

Welcome aboard Bill, have you built yours?
hoppy

[retiredVTT]

No, have not started mine yet, BUT ....it's very very close to being started ....just finished an RBC Delta 400, a little rocket, had the maiden today..! And next I gotta finish an E3D that is 85% done ...THEN..it's Aqua time..!

..and THANKS, for the Welcome..!

Bill

[Maine Flyer]

Has anyone converted this model?? If so, what power system??

TIA
Mike MIke, I have just completed my Aqua Star. Took a long time for me. My first kit in 50 yrs. Had its maiden flight today from snow. Went very well. I am using a Himax 2808-0980, CC Phoenix 10, TP 1320 Pro Lite 3 cell and a 7x4x3 Master Airscrew prop. Total weight without tip floats is 17.4 ozs. This setup generates 77 watts at 6.7 amps. Easily got 15 min flights using only 766 mah from the batteries. Very pleased with it so far - of course, that is only two flights today. Not much snow left here. About 50 degs. I hope it will ROW without trouble also. I did add the chine rails as specified by Herr. I will attempt to add a picture.
Joe

[gotime242]

mikerenz66 (http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/member.php?u=292) - Is that the Great Planes 41" Electricub Parkflyer in your avitar? How do you like it?

[mikerenz66]

Yes thats the GP E Cub. Flys great if you keep it light 12 to 14 oz. I run it on an E-Flite Park 370 brushless 1080kv outrunner motor and 2s TP 900 mah lipo pack.

Mike

[gotime242]

Cool. I have one too. Its on a brushed 400 motor, geared w/9x6 SF prop. 8 cell GP1100 batt. Took quite a bit to make it fly well... If it werent for the floats, it definetly wouldnt be on my top10 list of most favorable airplanes.

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/5750/cubreflect3jt.jpg

[mikerenz66]

Looks great!! I never thought of putting floats on mine. Thanks for the idea. Right now I am working on a GP Mini Slinger flying wing. Just have to pick up a battery pack then test the stock motor and battery on my power meter.

Mike

[gotime242]

Yeah these GWS floats are only like 10 bucks and fit the plane perfectly. It has no trouble getting off the water in only a few feet with only my can 400, so yourset setup would have tons of power. It was a huge step-up as far as enjoyment.

[BradT]

Here's my Aquastar, converted by a buddy, from whom I bought it, made a few minor mods, and now fly it off H2O every chance I get. The power is a 7.2V S400 DD, 6x3 Graupner folding prop, and 3S1P Hecell 2000 li-po. The mods involved changing the motor from a 6V to a 7.2V, and increasing the wing incedence several degrees more positive, to assist r.o.g., which was initially very difficult to achieve. As the pics show, it was built with the spray rails, though it still gets a lot of water into the prop as you go from displacement to planing. Once on the step, it's fine. A fun little plane to fly at the local rivers and ponds.

[jbassett]

I have converted this model to electric with great success. My set-up uses a Typhoon 6 brushless, Castle Creations Phoenix 10 ESC, 3 bladed 6.2" x ~2.5" Ramoser VarioPROP and a 3S1P Kokom 910 mAh LiPo pack.
The all up weight is only 18.5 oz., which is lighter than the quoted i.c. model and I've also fitted ailerons and spray rails.
I haven't been able to take-off from water yet, but only due to not having enough water around. I almost took off from a friends pond after about a 3m (10 ft) run in still air. The key to ROW is to fit the spray rails, which initially force the nose up and then drag air in against the hull reducing friction.
More details and photos available on my website using the link below.
Regards
Jan
http://www.ef-uk.net/models/aircraft-electric/images/thumbnails/aquastar-01-t.jpg (http://www.ef-uk.net/models/aircraft-electric/images/aquastar-01.jpg)
http://www.ef-uk.net/models/aircraft-electric/aquastar.htm

[rcpilotphil]

Hello I am building the aqua-star seaplane i just need to know what kind of hinges do i use??? scene the tail and rudder are so thin.
Phil

[Ralph V]

RCPilotPhill

I know what you mean about the tails on the thin side. I sewed on hinges
using braided fishing line. If you look close at the rudder on my picture you
can see the sewn on hinges. I can get some better pictures of the hinges
tomarrow if you like. I took a lot of pictures of my build, as I planed on
doing a build thread after I get it all trimmed out.

Ralph V.

[jbassett]

I used thin Mylar strip cut into pieces approximately 6 mm (1/4") wide and inserted in to slots, glued with thin cyanoacrylate

[rcpilotphil]

Hello, What are mylar strips and where do i get them??
Phil

[jbassett]

Hello, What are mylar strips and where do i get them??
Phil
These are a common type of aircraft hinge. They are usually bought pre-cut, but can also be found as long strips alwowing hinges of the desired width to be cut The pre-cut hinges can often be cut in two for smaller models. Some come with a "fluffy" surface which is intended to increase the cyano bond strength between hinge and model. There are a number of differing designs, examples are:http://alshobbies.com/shop/lookupstock.php?pc=34907&Desc=hinge
http://alshobbies.com/shop/lookupstock.php?pc=31498&Desc=hinge
http://robotbirds.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1414
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4081
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXK110&P=ML
These should be available from any model shop.
Regards
_ __ _ Jan

[Henry Sistrunk]

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=464848#post464848

Have you seen mine. I really enjoy flying it off grass?