Aviation & Car tech: Reviews, How to's, Products, Shows, Design & Manufacturing, photography, video, Home built aircraft, UAV / RC, General Aviation, Car fix & mod
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.
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:
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
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
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/
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.
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.
Don’t forget to get spares as well,
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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:
The GP-4 is one of those aircraft you see at an airshow that really makes you pay attention. Being around Experimental Aircraft since the early 90’s the common impression from the “general public” is something that is crude, slapped together and unsafe. The GP-4 is a dramatic example of refinement for something that is plans built, with a Aerodynamic shape, style and finish that puts production aircraft at 4X the cost to shame.
From what I have found there are no available Plans, Kits or Downloads for the GP-4, however with modern tech like 3d scanning iPhones, Powerful Cad Software and 3D printers it would not be too difficult to create a RC version of this impressive Aircraft.
Gould Aero 