Author: Andrew Griffith
Edition: Model Aviation - 2015/05
Page Numbers: 48,49,50,51,52,53,54
,
,
,
,
,
,

Semiscale Floatplane Roundup - 2015/05

Welcome to the first-ever Model Aviation floatplane roundup! The three models put to the test include the Flyzone DHC-2 Beaver Island Wings edition, the ParkZone Sport Cub, and the Multiplex Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter. The contestants are all similarly priced, scalelike foam models. They are nearly the same size and weight, equipped with similar 3S LiPo battery power systems, and all have pontoon-style floats.

Which one is the "best" will depend on what is important to the individual. I flew these airplanes back-to-back over the course of a day on the St. Johns River in Florida and quickly found that each has features and quirks, so your choice will likely weigh heavily on the features you deem most important.

Sport Cub BNF

The ParkZone Sport Cub comes in a BNF version and a Plug-N-Play (PNP) model. The PNP aircraft is equivalent to the receiver-ready (Rx-R) versions of the Porter and the Beaver. This Sport Cub was the subject of a full review in the November 2014 issue of Model Aviation.

The Sport Cub reviewed for this roundup was equipped with the AS3X triple-axis stabilization system and an integrated six-channel receiver. It required a Spektrum DSM2 or DSMX five-channel radio system and was equipped with both the optional flap servo and the HobbyZone float kit.

Based on the Cub Crafters Sport Cub, the ParkZone Cub maintains a nice scale outline but lacks some of the molded-in details of the Beaver and Porter. Although it lacks windows, an interior window decal provides a neat-looking silhouette pilot.

All servos, the ESC, and a 480-size motor are factory installed and in the BNF version everything is connected and ready to go. A 3S 1,300 mAh battery and a basic balance charger are included.

The optional floats are quickly and easily installed. After the floats are assembled, the Sport Cub can swap between wheels and floats in the time it takes to remove four screws from the wheels and install eight screws for the floats.

One clear advantage of the Sport Cub is the durability of its floats. Although the Beaver and Porter floats are all foam, the Sport Cub floats have hard plastic bottoms that protect them from damage sustained from running up on a beach. I cut small runners from scrap carpet that I use at the pond for the Beaver and Porter so their floats aren't sitting directly on the ground.

Flyzone DHC-2 Beaver

With World War II wrapping up, de Havilland Canada turned its attention from dwindling military contracts to the burgeoning civilian aircraft market. Based in Toronto, de Havilland set out to design an airplane purpose-built for the harsh operating environment of the Canadian wilderness.

If the Piper Cub is the backwoods Jeep with wings, the Beaver is a big Dodge Power Wagon. Designed for hauling half-ton loads, the Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) Beaver could be equipped with bush tires, floats, or skis. Large cabin doors on both sides allow loading and unloading when the airplane is tied to a dock.

The Flyzone Beaver in this roundup is the new Island Wings edition of the extremely popular aircraft. It features larger bush tires and a color scheme based on the full-scale Beaver flown by Island Wings Air Service, which operates aerial tours out of Ketchikan, Alaska. The Flyzone Beaver is constructed of AeroCell foam and, unlike the other two models where floats are sold separately, the Beaver includes both fixed landing gear and a set of floats.

The Island Wings Beaver is available only as an Rx-R version. Assembly is fairly quick and requires nothing more than a Phillips screwdriver. The Rx-R version has all servos installed, as well as the speed controller and motor. As the name implies, you simply connect the properly labeled servo leads to your receiver, set direction and throws, and connect a battery.

If you're a scale aficionado, the Beaver might be your favorite of the three. For a small foam airplane, the Beaver is extremely detailed, featuring simulated corrugated control surfaces, a full-scale paint scheme and logos, rear cabin bubble observation windows, and a dummy radial engine. The Flyzone Beaver includes a full navigation lighting system with a landing light, flashing beacon, and wingtip and tail navigation and strobe lights.

I made two small modifications to improve the floats: I replaced the monofilament linkages with fine steel fishing leader line, which cost only a few dollars, and dozens of flights later the water rudders are perfectly centered.

Flyzone DHC-2 Beaver Rx-R

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Model type: Semiscale electric
  • Skill level: Intermediate
  • Wingspan: 59.5 inches
  • Wing area: 430 square inches
  • Wing loading: 15.4 ounces per square foot
  • Airfoil: Semisymmetrical
  • Length: 38.5 inches
  • Weight: 2 pounds, 14 ounces (with floats)
  • Needed to complete: Five-channel radio and receiver; LiPo battery; charger
  • Construction: AeroCell foam
  • Covering/finish: White foam with painted trim and water-slide decals
  • Street price: $199.98

TEST-MODEL DETAILS

  • Motor used: Flyzone 850 Kv BL outrunner (included)
  • Speed control: Flyzone 40-amp brushless ESC (included)
  • Battery: Flyzone 3S 2,100 mAh 20C LiPo
  • Propeller: 12 x 6 (included)
  • Radio system: Futaba 14SG-H transmitter, Futaba R617FS receiver; five Flyzone 10-gram micro servos (servos included)
  • Flight duration: 7 to 10 minutes

PLUSES

  • Assembles quickly.
  • Includes both fixed gear and floats.
  • Corrugated surfaces and bubble windows are nice scalelike touches.
  • Includes working flaps and navigation lights.

MINUS

  • Flap servo arm is cut too short to get good flap travel.

Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter

The full-scale Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter has been in service since May 1959. The powerful engine and large flaps make the Porter a true STOL aircraft. The full-scale Porter is a heavy hauler that can carry 2,500 pounds of payload or up to 10 passengers and has been used in civilian, military, and law-enforcement roles. It can take off and land almost anywhere—one notable landing was on the Dhaulagiri glacier in Nepal at 18,865 feet above sea level.

A web search showed that many full-scale PC-6 Porters have been equipped with floats, so the model's float configuration is not out of scale.

The Multiplex Turbo Porter is constructed of Elapor foam and is available in two attractive color schemes with scalelike trim. Scale enthusiasts will appreciate the details molded into the parts such as corrugated control surfaces, panel lines, and rivet details. Even the landing gear closely approximates the full-scale Porter with articulating spring action to smooth out landings. Like the Rx-R Beaver, the servos, speed controller, and motor are preinstalled. Assembly consists of bolting the tail and landing gear in place, sliding the wings on, and connecting the servos. Bolt the propeller and spinner in place and the Porter is nearly ready to fly.

Converting to floats only requires removing a few screws and the landing gear will pop off. There were no instructions with the float kit, but photos make the installation straightforward; there are only four screws holding the float struts on. A water rudder is provided that attaches in place of the tail wheel. I chose to skip installing it for aesthetics but took it along in case water handling required it.

Multiplex Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter Rx-R

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Model type: Semiscale electric
  • Skill level: Intermediate
  • Wingspan: 49.2 inches
  • Wing area: 340 square inches
  • Wing loading: 19.9 ounces per square foot
  • Airfoil: Semisymmetrical
  • Length: 36.6 inches
  • Flying weight: 2 pounds, 15 ounces (with floats)
  • Needed to complete: Six-channel transmitter and receiver; LiPo battery; charger
  • Construction: Elapor foam
  • Covering/finish: White foam with colored trim accents
  • Street price: $209.99

TEST-MODEL DETAILS

  • Motor used: Permax BL-0-3530 1,100 Kv (included)
  • Speed control: BL-40 40-amp brushless ESC (included)
  • Battery: AGA Power 3S 2,200 mAh 30C LiPo
  • Propeller: 11 x 5.5 electric park flyer (included)
  • Radio system: Spektrum DX-18G2 transmitter; Spektrum AR7010 receiver; six Multiplex MS-12014 servos (servos included)
  • Float kit: Multiplex Pilatus Float Kit
  • Flight duration: 5 to 8 minutes, depending on throttle management

PLUSES

  • Quick and easy assembly.
  • Large flaps have plenty of throw to emulate the STOL characteristics of the full-scale Turbo Porter.
  • Many scale details molded into foam.
  • Servos are installed and waiting for your receiver and flight battery.
  • Magnetic hatch for easy battery access.
  • Accepts a variety of 3S battery sizes.

MINUS

  • No instructions provided with the float kit.

Battery Access

When I review electric aircraft, I always rate the accessibility to change the flight battery. Out of the three models the clear winner in this category is the Porter. A magnetic hatch behind the cowl on the top of the airplane allows you to change the battery without flipping the aircraft over.

The Sport Cub has a large hatch with plenty of room, but the airplane needs to be upside down to remove the flight battery. This usually requires a cradle, a helper, or a third arm. The float struts also keep the battery door from swinging all the way open as it does when the model is on wheels.

Similarly, the Beaver has a foam hatch on the bottom. The battery sits in a molded slot that's nearly vertical. The latch for battery access is disguised as a small radio antenna, which is a neat scale touch. The bottom-based hatch requires the airplane to be inverted to change the battery, but if you flip it over the scale antennas on the top of the model can hit the ground, bend backward, or break off. I made a cradle from scrap packing foam to support the airplane without touching the rudder or antennas while changing the battery.

Water Taxiing

With no wind, the three models are comparable, but the water-rudder-equipped Beaver has an edge on handling in the water. Setting the rudders with a tiny bit of toe-in allows for straight takeoff runs.

The Porter does a good job in the water even without the water rudder installed. Blipping the throttle to blow air over the rudder will make it turn well. I was pleasantly surprised that the Porter handled so well in the water without the extra rudder, even in mild wind.

The Cub is similar in this regard, although its smaller air rudder takes some technique to get it pointed where you want it. Chopping the throttle on the water will result in it weathervaning into the wind, setting up a perfect takeoff run.

Takeoff

Point the nose into the wind, lower the flaps slightly, and smoothly advance the power for respectable takeoffs with all three models.

  • Sport Cub: Has the best power-to-weight ratio and smooth float bottoms; it was off the water in a few feet.
  • Beaver: Needed the longest takeoff run. On really smooth water it helps to taxi in a circle to create wake so it will break free of the water.
  • Porter: Took off quickly and easily and definitely exhibits the STOL characteristics of its full-scale counterpart.

Scale Looks

Subjectively, I like the Beaver for its scale looks. The lighting system, although not enough for true night flying, looks awesome at dusk and lets you keep flying a while after the other two have to be put away.

The Cub is an iconic airplane and always pleasing to see. The Porter has a distinctive, attractive appearance on floats and stands out in the air.

Flying

Floatplanes are generally less nimble than wheel-equipped counterparts. Floats add mass under the model and increase stability; they also add drag, so the top speed of all three models was slightly slower with floats attached.

The Sport Cub has more power than the others and the AS3X system gives it the feel of a much larger model. The AS3X only widens the gap as the wind picks up. Loops, rolls, and inverted flight are all possible and fun—even with the floats. Minimal elevator correction is required to fly inverted because of the stabilizer system. The flaps are effective and the Sport Cub can be slowed to walking speed as it settles into the water. A slight elevator flare keeps the front of the floats from digging in and the drag will slow the Cub to a stop almost immediately.

The Porter flew nicely. It gets off the water quickly and with full flaps and full power will practically jump out of the water. Aerobatics are possible and the Porter has plenty of power to do loops from level flight. Rolls—especially with the floats installed—are more like barrel rolls than axial rolls. Inverted flight requires down-elevator because of the semisymmetrical airfoil and the floats. The rudder is effective and allows for graceful stall turns and coordinated turns. With practice, the Porter will settle into a level approach and "kiss" the water before settling in.

The Beaver takes a nice, scalelike takeoff run to build up speed and break free of the water. The large round cowl creates drag, but the Beaver looks good calmly taking off after a smooth run. Letting it build up speed before easing it out of the water solved bounce issues I initially experienced. In the air the Beaver is stately and majestic; it is capable of loops and rolls but lacks the zip of the other two. Where the Beaver excels is touch-and-go water landings—I flew entire battery packs doing splash-and-go landing after splash-and-go landing while concentrating on scalelike technique. When you're done, the water-rudder-equipped floats will get you back to the dock on the first try.

Wrap-Up

So, which is best? Assembly is a draw: all are easy to assemble and can go from box to pond in the time it takes to charge a flight battery. They all use 3S LiPo batteries between 1,300 and 2,200 mAh, so having several batteries is cost effective.

  • Sport Cub: Has the most power and the AS3X system helps it handle wind. It is the most aerobatic of the three with floats attached. Its hard-bottom floats are more durable than the foam floats on the other models and conversion between wheels and floats is quick. Best choice for aerobatics with floats.
  • Turbo Porter: An interesting, distinctive model with good scale details and easy battery access via a magnetic hatch. Not as aerobatic as the Sport Cub but a great blend of scale looks and capability. Quick conversion to wheels. Best combination of scale looks and aerobatics.
  • Beaver: The most scalelike in appearance and features a lighting system for dusk flights. Relaxing to fly and excellent for practicing scale float technique. Conversion to wheels takes slightly longer because of the complex scalelike float struts. Best choice for scale looks and preparing to fly larger float-equipped models.

—Andrew Griffith [email protected]

MANUFACTURER / DISTRIBUTOR

  • Flyzone

(800) 637-7660 www.flyzoneplanes.com

  • ParkZone

(800) 338-4639 www.parkzone.com

  • Hitec Multiplex

(858) 748-6948 www.hitecrcd.com

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.