| Type: |
High performace float plane |
| Wingspan:
| 50" |
| Wing Area: |
|
| Airfoil: | Semi symmetrical
|
| Weight: | ~4 lbs |
| Construction: |
Built up balsa wing and tail, balsa fuse and main float, plastic outrigger floats, custom fiberglass cowl. |
| Controls: | Aileron, elevator, rudder, throttle |
| Power: | O.S. .28 |
|
 |
This is a 50" span single float aerobatic seaplane that Top Flite stopped making in the '80s. I saw it in a hobby shop last year and thought it would be a nice change away from the Drake, and it looked like it could be pretty fast with my O.S. .28 in it. It sort of looks like a Kaos with a single large center float and two outrigger floats. It's a nice kit that goes together easily. The main mods are made were to strengthen the outrigger float mounting points, and, since I intended to use this as a land plane too, I used brass inserts to make the wing float easier to remove. I also scratch built an FG cowl to make it look more like a pylon racer and less like a Kaos.
I first flew the Kittiwake in landplane (taildragger) configuration at the flying field. In this mode, it weighs approx 3 1/8 lbs. Take offs are a bit tricky unless up elevator is held to keep the tail down in the initial part of the ground run. Once in the air, the plane flies very smoothly, and is fast. Vertical is almost, but not quite, unlimited. Rolls are moderately fast, though there isn't a whole lot of aileron travel. Tumbles are insane! Doing a half inside snap, then applying full down will cause the plane to go nose over tail about two times. Curiously, it will not snap roll unless slowed down quite a bit. Landings are nothing special.
 |
 |
In seaplane mode, the Kittiwake weighs 4lbs. According to the kit, it's possible to get this thing in at 3lbs, but that seems unlikely to me, even without some of my modifications. The plane seems to sit a bit low in the water, but water taxiing is fine unless the waves get too big. The water rudder is effective, and if given some gas, the plane will step taxi very nicely (and it looks cool too!). The plane gets on step easily, and then very quickly accelerates to takeoff speed. Once in the air it's a bit slower then it is in landplane mode, but it is still fast. Despite using the same engine as the Drake, and weighing the same amount, the rate of climb is much, much better. This is probably because I can use a 9" prop on it. The plane is still aerobatic, even with that big float hanging down there. Landings are a bit tricky, since you must come in perfectly level. Touching an outrigger float first will cause the plane to dig a wingtip into the water violently. I found this out the hard way. Luckily, the main float struts are soft aluminum, so they bent and took up all the impact. Repair was a simple matter of bending them back. Anyway, this is a fun airplane. If you're into seaplanes, and you can find this kit, buy it!
 |
 |
 |
| Home |
)
)
)
)
)
)
)