Capricorn - the ultimate flying boat.

[cjbdude]

The battery and ESC are capable of 30 amps but the motor is 18 amps. Right now I'm using a 9x4.7 prop. I'll see if I can get a hold of a 10" prop...

Thanks again!

[cjbdude]

I don't have a scale right now so I don't know what it weighs...

On second thought, I think I'll just leave it just the way it is. I went out and flew 2 more battery packs on it. I guess what I like most about this planes is the slow graceful flying characteristics. While the vertical climb is not the best but at a 45 degree angle it climbs pretty fast. I can loop and role nicely enough. I guess I had gotten used to the fast vertical of my 3D planes.

But I find this plane a lot more fun for flying low, turning with one sponson touching, touch and goes, and I really like the stability. It's more of a relaxing plane to fly.

For now I'm just going to enjoy this plane as it is...

Thanks!

[boberos]

Nice work on the vectored thrust, Lead,
I have used it as a pusher, but why not a tractor set up.

Let us know how it works out.

Bob

[rc808]

Got mine started. Same size as the Gemini. 10mm cell foam in the middle, 6mm on the outer wings. Lightly glue gunned together. It's really windy this weekend so probably maiden next weekend.

[leadfeather]

Thanks Bob,

Had a perfect maiden today. Wil post video later.

VT worked great.

Originally Posted by boberos

Nice work on the vectored thrust, Lead,
I have used it as a pusher, but why not a tractor set up.

Let us know how it works out.

Bob

[cjbdude]

Got a scale today...

Ok, it wasn't as heavy as I thought. Without battery, it was 16.5 oz With battery almost 21 oz. (1500 mAh 20C 3s battery). I guess I didn't get that carried away with the glue after all...

So maybe a 10" prop is in order.

----

Leadfeather, that's great to hear!

[leadfeather]

It flies just like its big brother. Yaw VT worked perfectly on the ground and in the air.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb00qEA7MfM

[Larry3215]

Originally Posted by rc808

Got mine started. Same size as the Gemini. 10mm cell foam in the middle, 6mm on the outer wings. Lightly glue gunned together. It's really windy this weekend so probably maiden next weekend.

That will be a fun one! If its the same size as the Gemini it will be a lot 'quicker on the draw'

I havent used the cellfoam. Is it similar to Depron or more like FFF or EPP?

Larry

[Larry3215]

Originally Posted by cjbdude

Got a scale today...

Ok, it wasn't as heavy as I thought. Without battery, it was 16.5 oz With battery almost 21 oz. (1500 mAh 20C 3s battery). I guess I didn't get that carried away with the glue after all...

So maybe a 10" prop is in order.

----

Leadfeather, that's great to hear!

That weight isnt that bad. Try the 10" prop (Id go the 10x5E or 10x6E rather than the slowfly) and I'll bet it gets your motor closer to it peak and makes for a zippier up line for sure.

Larry

[Larry3215]

Originally Posted by leadfeather

It flies just like its big brother. Yaw VT worked perfectly on the ground and in the air.

YouTube Video

Nice job LF!!!

I am seriously tempted to try that on one of mine.

I dont think Id be willing to give up my rudder though. I would want it for power off stearing mostly I think.

BUT, just imagine what it would do with huge rudder throws AND the yaw VT!!

I also use rudder for too many other things where you need to force the back end of the plane out of train. It would be interesting to see if you could do the same cross-controll manovers useing the yaw VT only.

I suspect some wont work as well and others will be better.

The bottom line is - very well done!

Larry

[rc808]

Originally Posted by Larry3215

That will be a fun one! If its the same size as the Gemini it will be a lot 'quicker on the draw'

I havent used the cellfoam. Is it similar to Depron or more like FFF or EPP?

Larry

More like depron but just a little less soft. Kinda brittle. Sands like a surfboard though so it's easy to shape.

Finished her up tonight. Just gotta add gear. Thanks for all the good advice.

[leadfeather]

Thanks Larry! I wouldn't have done it without the workk you'v done on the Capricorn.

I can't distinguish the yaw VT from a rudder in terms of flight characteritics. If you were flying the Aquarius and no one told you differently, you'd swear it had a rudder.

This is one sweet flying machine!!

Originally Posted by Larry3215

Nice job LF!!!

I am seriously tempted to try that on one of mine.

I dont think Id be willing to give up my rudder though. I would want it for power off stearing mostly I think.

BUT, just imagine what it would do with huge rudder throws AND the yaw VT!!

I also use rudder for too many other things where you need to force the back end of the plane out of train. It would be interesting to see if you could do the same cross-controll manovers useing the yaw VT only.

I suspect some wont work as well and others will be better.

The bottom line is - very well done!

Larry

[leadfeather]

Here is some indoor flying. The video is a little better quality than the maiden video and shows off the low speed capability a bit better.

The Aquarius wasn't really intended as an indoor craft but it did surprisingly well thanks to its great low speed handling and forgiving flight characteristics.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QAPVyovwgI

[RocketMan]

I really like the way the thrust vectoring improves the low speed handling on the ground!

I wonder what it it would be like with a variable pitch prop? You could back up when you accidentally ended up nose first against the wall

We lost all our snow here so we have hard frozen ground which is not very good for the sponsons...

RM

[Larry3215]

Originally Posted by rc808

More like depron but just a little less soft. Kinda brittle. Sands like a surfboard though so it's easy to shape.

Finished her up tonight. Just gotta add gear. Thanks for all the good advice.

Good luck!

Larry

[Larry3215]

Originally Posted by leadfeather

Here is some indoor flying. The video is a little better quality than the maiden video and shows off the low speed capability a bit better.

The Aquarius wasn't really intended as an indoor craft but it did surprisingly well thanks to its great low speed handling and forgiving flight characteristics.

YouTube Video

Nice job Leadfeather! The down side to no rudder is that if your heading for a wall or something you cant chop throttle to slow down and still turn

How big is the Aquarius? AUW?

It looks to be about the size of my 60% UL version but a lot stiffer/stronger. Still larger than the Gemini tho it looks like. I think thats a good compromise in size as far as still having reasonably low wing loading while being quicker on the rolls and easier to transport etc.

I flew the UL a couple more times and Ive decided its just not that good for outdoors. The 3mm just isnt strong enough to handle any kind of windy conditions if you have to manover quickly. I like the size and the way it flys but I think its better to go for a stiffer structure and give up some of the low wing loading.

Larry

[leadfeather]

Thanks for the Kudos Larry!

Span = 25"
Length = 28"
AUW = 330 gr (11.6 oz) w/o battery. I use a 1000 mAh 3s

I think it is bigger than the Gemini. I tried to retain the low wing loading and low speed flight characteristics of the Capricorn.

Headed for a wall? Keep it powered up and flying; with the VT (or rudder) it'll turn on a dime.

One of the design features of the Aquarius was the flat strips at the joints. One of the goals was to close the gaps along the trailing edge. I wonder if this is helping the low speed floating ability? I had hoped it would.

[Larry3215]

Thats pretty close!

My 3mm ultra lite version ended up 26" wide by 32" long for the main wing section not counting the rudder or motor. The rudder sticks out the back another 5 inches. All up weight with a 2S TP 1320 pack is 10.26 ounces.

Nice and lite but not strong enough for its size. Id trade the extra weight for the strength unless your going for indoor flying only.

Larry

[cameraboy5]

Lead feather....

Great build of a graceful flying aircraft/boat. I've been watching this site for a couple of months now and am ready to start a build.
first i thought Larry had the best craft but after seeing yours indoors, i might try that.
My only problem is...... for some reason..... i'm not quite graspping the VT yaw set-up. I've been studying the pics but its just not sinking in....... and the worst part is...... i work with aircraft all day long at my real job.
Help PLEASE.
You and Larry have really stirred my interest as a 3 acre lake sits 40 yards out the back of my house. I'm ready for something other than my rc plane or boats.
Thanks
Scott

[leadfeather]

Scott, It is pretty simple. Take a look at the photo below. There is a tube type motor mount. It pivots (yaw direction) on the lag screw that holds it to the plywood deck.

The threaded arm that has the ball at the end to connect to the servo push rod also doubles as the screw to lock the motor into the tube mount. The motor and prop isn't installed in this photo.

[cameraboy5]

So the whole motor pivots back and forth a couple degrees thus not needing the use of a rudder

[leadfeather]

That's all there is to it!

I'm swinging +- 20 degrees

Originally Posted by cameraboy5

So the whole motor pivots back and forth a couple degrees thus not needing the use of a rudder

[cameraboy5]

Wow ...20 degrees.... thats not bad.
Now thats pushing the motor left and right or up and down? Or.... is it just the whole front end is flexing due to the torque by the servo?

[Larry3215]

When they are in stock, you can get those tube mounts here:

http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id...69&pid=V847725

Also notice how Leadfeather extended the nose forward - kind of pointed - the same way I did the UL version above.

You will need to do that so the prop wont hit the wing when you turn it. Either that or extend the motor more forward for clearance.

That method will only work with 8mm tube mount motors. CustomeCDRom and MicroDan motors both come that way as an option. Many of the other similar small motors mount the same way - Go Brushless and I think some of the TowerPro etc.

For a larger more powerfull setup or for back mount motors, you'll have to come up with an alternate version of the pivot depending on how the motor mounts.

I was thinkng of using a small piece of aluminum angle for a back mount option or a hinged ply plate setup.

What ever you do - it needs to be strong enough so that it doesnt wobble or flop around and it must have no slop.

Trust me, if it is a weak or sloppy mechanism you will regret it. The motor can develope a nasty harmonic vibration and litteraly rip itself from the plane On the plus side, the guys watching from the peanut gallery love it!

Larry

[cameraboy5]

Larry,
I guess thats why i didn't understand it at first. I was affraid the torgue of the motor would create a wobble and would rip itself from the aircraft.
I've never seen that type of a set-up before.
I like that size of an aircraft and thats probably what i will start in the next few days but will probably go with the conventional mount and use of a rudder.
I just want something thats more hydro with a little flying. On an aircraft that size.... what size rudder should i go with. I heard you mention 5 inch or so before.. would that be about right?
I have a 3 acre rectangular lake and need to have a pretty good turn radius.
For an aircraft that size, i only want a mild motor and will probably use lipo's..... i'm thinking a 350-450 size motor should get it in the air a little?
thanks again to both of you guys for sharing thought and ideas
Scott