Ensign (oz16797)

About this Plan

Ensign. Radio control sport floatplane model. Wingspan 60 in, for .45 to 60 engines.

Quote: "The Ensign, by Gene Rogers. For Land or Sea, converts in minutes. Aqua-Lift floats by Aqua-Sonic.

If you have been bitten by the Hydro Bug but haven't yet given it a try, the Ensign might be just what you're looking for. It will allow you to make the transition from land to water flying, without making too many waves.

The float mounting, and water rudder design was developed to allow a quick transition from a seaplane to a landplane configuration, with a minimum of effort. If you're lucky enough to have a sizable expanse of water near your flying sight, the conversion could be made right at the field, in a matter of minutes. By merely removing the two rear gear struts, three wheel collars and a rubber band, the floats and water rudder are off. Add the main wheels and tail wheel, and the ship is ready to roll!

The floats are mounted in an extremly simple manner, by just adding a second set of conventional type landing gear struts, near the trailing edge at the wing. No tie or diagonal struts are required to stiffen the float mounting any further. The two torsion-bar type struts form a parallelogram, and absorb any hard water landing impacts nicely, without causing any structural damage to the plane.

The water rudder is mounted on a conventional tailwheel bracket, for it's direct action and simplicity of rotation. Conventional type rudders mounted on the floats look scale-like, but can be a problem. Any shifting of the float location in relation to the fuselage changes the neutral setting of the rudders, thus making stiff float mounting a necessity. When a tie-bar is used between twin water rudders, a tie-brace is also needed between the floats to keep them from spreading, or the rudders will not remain in line with each other.

The floats for the Ensign are constructed from a standard kit, and are known as 'Aqua-Lifts.' Their design is an evolution of my original 'Unsinkables' design. The Aqua-Lifts are constructed from styrofoam cores, and covered with sheet balsa. This design has been well proven both in construction and performance. The air drag and weight of the "Aqua-Lifts" have been kept to an absolute minimum, thus making the flying characteristics of the float equipped En-sign virtually the same as the land configuration.

The original Ensign was amply powered by an Enya 45 TV engine. A 60 size engine can be used if you are so inclined, but a 45 will get it off the water, with very little fuss. In flying strictly a land version of the design, a good .35 would suffice for sport flying. Take your choice, then cut the engine bearers to the width to suit your powerplant.

For radio gear, the Ensign utilized Aristo-Craft's new MK Four Channel Digital Proportion System. This imported system works extremly well and provides excellent range; which inci-dentally is a must for hydro flying. Flying from shoreline positions sometimes require long taxing conditions, depending on wind direction and shoreline obstacles. The MK system will be, or is now being advertised, and marketed at real competitive prices..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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