If your needing a high quality plastic valve cover, check out this product by Valve-Loc
Author: Spencer Gould
Republic RC-3 Seabee – Aircraft of the Month
The Seabee was introduced just after WW2 with over 1000 examples built. Not the most common sea plane built. Most may know it from 1974’s 007 Man with the Golden Gun. James Bond fly’s a Seabee in south east Asia to Scaramanga’s hide out on a Island. N87545 S/N 105.
More on this particular aircraft can be found at: http://www.seabee.info/rc3_105.htm
While working on Engine component designs for FlyCorvair, one of the guys name Gus had a Seabee restoration project going, it was very interesting to see the construction of this aircraft in its disassembled state.
Quite a few YouTube videos of this aircraft can be found, here are a few captivating ones;
For RC options, Outerzone has 4 plans listed but the 1977 from RCM is likely the best:
https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=946
Share this:
Osprey 2 – Aircraft of the month
The Osprey 2 is a 2 place side by side sea plane featuring wood construction and was created by the same designer (George Pereira) of the GP-4 (see previous Aircraft of the month article)
This aircraft first flew in 1973 with over 500 examples built
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osprey_Osprey_2
They have one on display at the EAA museum in Oshkosh Wi, the EAA web site has sport aviation articles going back to 1970.
https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aircraft-building/kits-and-plans/m—q/periera-osprey-i-and-ii
Plans and Parts are still available for anyone looking to build one at:
https://www.ospreyaircraft.com/osprey.htm
While i was not able to find any RC aircraft of the Osprey, there are quite a few that have a bit of a resemblance on Outerzone
Laddie Mikulasko Designer of all kinds of RC aircraft with several Seaplane options has the Laker, a 70″ model from 1979
https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=7402
Ken Willard another well known RC aircraft designer has a few options as well
Likely best known for the Seamaster 40 & 120, ACE RC produced kits from the late 80′ and had ARF options as well:
Seamaster 40: https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=10212
Seamaster 120: https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=10817
I won a Seamaster 40 ARF at an auction back in the mid 2000’s not a bad performer but a higher power motor like a 60 or a modern electric setup is really needed for best performance.
As a side note the Anderson Kingfisher is also a similar homebuilt to the Osprey however not as many have been completed. I did a article on the Kingfisher in march 2020
Share this:
Spartan Executive – Aircraft of the Month
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spartan_Executive
There is usually one or two of them that show up to Airventure or Sun-N-Fun each year.
Back when I was at ERAU I designed a Spartan Executive inspired modern aircraft on Catia powered by a M-14P Radial Engine:
Hallmark has a nice Christmas Tree Ornament that can also be a good desk model of the Spartan Executive:
Wings of Texaco has a larger model of the aircraft:
Current RC options are limited, outerzone has 1 plan and its actually from 1938 about half way through the production run of the actual aircraft.
https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=599
LCKA in Australia has a 93″ Plan at:
https://lcka.com.au/product/spartan-7w-executive-15-plans-jb/
& the Laser cut kit: https://lcka.com.au/product/spartan-7w-executive-15-laser-parts-kit-jb/
With global shipping challenges this may be a difficult product to get into the states however for readers down under it’s a good option.
Of course with modern CAD systems, a ton of images of the aircraft it would be an easy job for a modern 3D printer to make a very detailed RC version. The Anycubic Chiron is an excellent large format 3D printer for PLA, LW-PLA, ABS and other filaments. I did a write up of this printer almost a year ago: https://gouldaero.com/2021/01/06/anycubic-chiron-3d-printer-product-of-the-month/
Share this:
Jetson One Manned Multi Rotor – Video Share
The Jetson One Manned Multi Rotor (X8 configuration) looks like one of the more likely multi rotors to go mainstream in the new market of manned aviation. Electric flight propulsion favors smaller & lighter platforms. Each new jump in battery technology will only make it better.
Learn more about the company at:
Company web site: https://www.jetsonaero.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jetsonaero
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jetsonaero/
Share this:
Plastic Razor Blades – Product of the month
A perfect solution for decal removal on sensitive surfaces like Paint, Tinted Windows and many more.
They also work well on removing old peel ply from composite surfaces
The long metal handle gives extra leverage when trying to remove difficult things
- 【PACK OF 3 RAZOR SCRAPER】3Psc Scraper+18 plastic razor blades+16 metal blades. This pack includes three different kinds of scraper tools, can meet your various needs.
- 【MULTI FUNCTIONAL SCRAPER TOOL】 One is a heavy-duty long-handled scraper, which is perfect for working in hard-to-reach places. One is a scraper tool with both metal and plastic razor blades, adopts an ergonomically curved and anti-slip handle design, easy to grasp. Another is a mini-scraper, small enough to carry in a pocket or toolkit.
- 【WIDE APPLICATION】 This scraper tools set is ideal for removing decal, adhesives, stickers, vinyl, glue, tints, labels from the window, car, paint, wall, tile, floor. It can also remove residues from the oven, cook top.
- 【EASY TO USE】Our razor blade scraper tools adopt an ergonomic handle design. Comfortable to hold and lasting use. You can change the blades quickly and easily with the blades clip.
- Plastic razor blades 200 pack double edged included. Plastic blades is made of high-quality plastic with strength and rigidity, providing you with greater durability and flexibility for your tasks.
- Plastic scraper blades with sharp double edged that are excellent for use where a metal razor blade will cause damage. Safe and effective alternative to metal razor blades.
- Plastic scraper blades safety clean glass without scratching surface. Use the razor blade tool to meet all your scraping and cleaning needs, as well as plastic blades , it’s safer for your fingers and surfaces.
- Plastic razor blade with standard size and designed to fit most standard razor blade holders, such as Titan Scraper. Also you can searh foshio plastic razor, more option you can choose.
- Plastic scraper blades Perfect for scraping labels, stickers, window film, decals, and other adhesives from car windows and windshields.
Share this:
DR-107 One Design – Aircraft of the Month
The One Design was created to make a high performance acrobatic aircraft on a low budget. It was designed to get the most out of a O-360 Lycoming motor. The Wiki page has a brief overview of the aircraft at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rihn_DR-107_One_Design
YouTube has a bunch of videos on this aircraft, here are a few
This video has a real good 3D cad overview of the structure
You can get the Plans and Materials for the One Design from Aircraft Spruce: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/kitspages/onedesign.php
The EAA has a few dozen articles that cover this aircraft and they can be found here: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aircraft-building/kits-and-plans/r—s/rihn-dr-107-and-dr-109
Finished ready to fly examples can be found on Barnstormers for $50K+: https://www.barnstormers.com/category-15896-Aerobatic–One-Design.html
For those looking for an RC version Outerzone has a 72″ span plans from RCM: https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=10576
Share this:
Denver area airport history
http://www.airfields-freeman.com/CO/Airfields_CO_Denver_SE.htm
Quite the interesting article on the history of many airports in the Denver area that are no longer there. Growing up in the area it’s impressive to see the rich aviation history. Most of the airports in the article have been take over by urban development.
Share this:
Sabrent SATA Dual Bay Docking Station
An excellent Amazon find for anyone who needs to use multiple hard drives. A great option for YouTube content creators that need to manage a large amount of video files.
Sabrent 2 bay SATA read / write / clone https://amzn.to/3FNcxzQ
Sabrent 5 bay SATA https://amzn.to/30j7qam
Kingston 480GB SSD https://amzn.to/3AIvRdS
Amazon Basics USB 3.0 3M Extension https://amzn.to/3vdRzoV
APC UPS 1500VA Battery backup with digital readout https://amzn.to/2YS8str
#AD
Share this:
Super Decathlon – Aircraft of the month
Back in the early 2000’s I got to do Acrobatic Training in a Super Decathlon at KPRC Prescott AZ. This aircraft is one of the best entries into Acrobatics & Tail Wheels, gaining more confidence and capability as a pilot.
The Decathlon started Production in 1972 and is a derivative of a Citabria.
Prices range from 50 to over 200K depending on year, condition etc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Champion_Decathlon
There are some RC Options available. Great Planes made a 64″ kit that you may be able to find on eBay or a large hobby shop like Graves in Orlando FL. Outerzone has the plans for it at:
https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=10203
Gould Aero 