Scratch build TailSpin Sea Duck

[nevenelestate]

After seeing Lorenzo's TailSpin inspired Mini Guinea paint scheme I decided to try and make a more accurate Sea Duck. Here is Lorenzo's thread about his MG http://forum.flitetest.com/showthread.php?14637-TaleSpin-Inspired-Mini-Guinea

I am using the Mini Guinea wing and fuselage as starting points, the wing is identical except for the hole being in the top for the servo/motor wires. Planning to locate the elevator servo on the top of the fuselage and rudder servo in the left boom, with the left and right rudder surfaces being linked via pushrod.

Here is a reference picture

Here is my initial SketchUp design.

I am planning on using Peter's waterproofing brown paper and minwax method to waterproof the hull and wing floats.

Thread shortcuts:
Fuselage built http://forum.flitetest.com/showthre...lSpin-Sea-Duck&p=170305&viewfull=1#post170305
Boom build http://forum.flitetest.com/showthre...lSpin-Sea-Duck&p=172813&viewfull=1#post172813
Attaching booms to wing http://forum.flitetest.com/showthre...lSpin-Sea-Duck&p=172913&viewfull=1#post172913
Running wing electronics http://forum.flitetest.com/showthre...lSpin-Sea-Duck&p=173114&viewfull=1#post173114
Flight worth aircraft http://forum.flitetest.com/showthre...lSpin-Sea-Duck&p=173777&viewfull=1#post173777
Maiden Flights http://forum.flitetest.com/showthre...lSpin-Sea-Duck&p=174060&viewfull=1#post174060

 

[Kurt0326]

That could make a good FPV craft.

 

[jh1985]

heres a complete design but i haven't had a chance to build it do to a house fire.
http://forum.flitetest.com/showthread.php?12136-help-Tales-spin-Sea-duck-conwing-l16

 

[Lorenzo]

Whatcha think nevenelestate? Are you going to keep going with the SketchUp design, or work with this one? The designs are pretty different - I think you should keep going and we can compare the two models.

 

[nevenelestate]

I had already flattened my design out into plans before I made this thread, so for the sake of comparison...I'll see what I can come up with. I like the other design too, many details more towards the cartoon's design. I wanted to do more of an inspired by the cartoon design.

 

[Lorenzo]

I think they're both good, and you're right, while yours may not be as true to the actual Sea Duck it does have its own advantages like the original MG wing design.

 

[nevenelestate]

I finally got around to printing out my design plans and started doing some foam cutting, and a bit of gluing. So far I have the main part of the fuselage cut out and partially glued together. I still need to figure out the geometry on the bottom of the nose, and will definitely be tweaking some other bits as I go, but here are two pictures of the first build of the fuselage.

 

[Lorenzo]

That looks sharp. I'm interested to see how the twin booms work out.

 

[jamboree1]

But will it quack?

 

[nevenelestate]

Booms

Finally getting around to making up some booms....

 

[Lorenzo]

Great job, it's coming along.

 

[nevenelestate]

built a new wing too, need to take apart one of my two other Mini Guinea wings for electronics. Also need to cut a new horizontal tail, first one is a bit narrow.

The vertical tails go into the slots.

 

[flyin201]

I like what I'm seeing keep up the good work!

 

[AdamBomb42x]

I've always loved the look of twin boom aircraft and I love this project.

 

[nevenelestate]

Mounting the booms to the wing

Thanks guys, got a snow day today, 7" of snow at my house, so will be getting some more work done on this project. Stripped down the old MG wing and have the parts ready for install on the Sea Duck wing. Thankfully I had used packing tape under the servos and on motor pods so a little denatured alcohol and most of the stuff came right off.

I used a single layer of foam board under the servo to get it up a little closer to the top surface of the wing, should keep it from clashing on full throw.

I had to cut slits in the bottom of the booms to allow for the flanges on the servos.

Here is the boom overlaid on the wing.

I used the lines on my cut mat to align the booms straight.

Here is the ESC glued to the wall, and wires all routed.

When i glued the motor pods into the boom I used a piece of foam board to make a gap below the firewall, hopefully this will help to cool the electronics.

 

[nevenelestate]

Got the wing/boom/tails finished today, she is coming along rather well.

 

[Lorenzo]

Impressive! Well done sir.

 

[eagle4]

looking really good mate. keep it up

 

[thebigbaker]

Wow, that looks great! Looking forward to seeing how she flies!

 

[Balu]

I am sitting here at work, jumping up and down in my chair out of excitement.