Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Pleasure boats, Sports, Race, Power and Leisure Boats: => Topic started by: steamboatbob on September 02, 2009, 11:24:50 am

Title: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on September 02, 2009, 11:24:50 am
Hi All

I thaught you guys might like to know what i am up to so here goes

I found a couple of micro speed boat kits in a local hobby store and being very close to fathers day i had to get a couple one for my dad and one for me :)

and at a grand cost of $40 AUD there was no talk back from the missus either which is a huge bonus

the kits are from an aussie company called Aeroflyte and the two kits are made entirely of balsa and is a very quick build using drawing pins. The first kit is called the Sabre and the second is called the Dictator

More to come soon

Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on September 06, 2009, 11:27:30 am
OK here are a few piccies to get you guys the taste of what I'm doing

this is the box it comes in not very loud and proud in the shop actually it was kind of hidden and looking very sad and lonely so i thought i would give it a nice home and the price of $22 AUD was very reasonable

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/3.jpg)

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/1.jpg)

Here is the powerplant not very impressive as you can see sitting next to the speed 400, but after testing on the bench it was pulling more revs than the speed 400 and had a low current draw i think it was about 5 amps at 6 volts and stall was around 9 amps which made me very happy :)

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/2.jpg)
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: dodgy geezer on September 07, 2009, 09:57:14 am
These look very like the kind of kits that are lacking in the UK. Small, cheap and easy to build for kids. Surely someone has thought of importing them to us? 
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on September 07, 2009, 10:36:51 am
I'm really surprised that not many people know about these kits as the only thing that is required as an additional cost for the kit to run is 2 "C" cells. Mind you there is no radio control and it only goes in a straight line but with a little modeling ingenuity they would be added very simply.

i already made one up for my father in law but did not take any pictures of that one but that will come in time when i resin them both up

and here is mine atm as you can see as it is a balsa kit putting it together is a very quick process using push pins and some tightbond 3

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/4.jpg)
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: dodgy geezer on September 08, 2009, 12:51:53 am
I just went round to my local model shop. He showed me two of these kits which had just come in - he said they were new imports and he felt there was going to be a resurgance of interest amongst kids over here.

The kits were the same as yours, but marketed under the name 'Pacific Balsa'. They are very comprehensive, with prop, motor, glue and dope all included. So the £20 price tag is not completely unreasonable...
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: Bill D203 on September 08, 2009, 06:04:18 pm
Fantastic !
Where can I get one from in the UK. Did someone say it comes with the motor and running gear ?
Tell me more.
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: dodgy geezer on September 08, 2009, 06:40:13 pm
I know Moor Models - http://www.moormodels.co.uk/ has a couple in - give them a ring, but note that they are under the Pacific Balsa name.

Alternatively, design one yourself as an eezebilt and put the plans up on the eezebilt site  - http://modelboats.hobbby-site.com

They look as if they might go quite fast - here is a video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DatgIaDO57s
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: Bill D203 on September 08, 2009, 11:30:44 pm
I know Moor Models - http://www.moormodels.co.uk/ has a couple in - give them a ring, but note that they are under the Pacific Balsa name.

Alternatively, design one yourself as an eezebilt and put the plans up on the eezebilt site  - http://modelboats.hobbby-site.com

They look as if they might go quite fast - here is a video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DatgIaDO57s
"They look as if they might go quite fast boats. "   He he he . Have a look at my pic. the hydro plane under my arm dose around 60mph.  I think i can handel one of these boats. Cheers for the info.
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: dodgy geezer on September 09, 2009, 09:45:57 am
Umm, I think we might be talking at cross purposes here.

These boats are about a foot long. They usually do not carry enough energy to go faster than a crawl. The video shows a re-engined Sabre, which looks as if it could just about manage to get up onto the plane, given a bit of a run up. That was what I meant by 'fast'.

They are intended for young children. I don't think anyone will have any difficulty handling them. Of course, if you were to put in a rocket...:)
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on September 09, 2009, 11:10:55 am
i think rockets are a bit extreme if you watched that you tube vid but brushless could be a viable alternative but a piano wire drive system would be necessary and then that would mean money. I do hope to get this boat running at a decent enough pace not hair raising but a decent pace all the same.
I know it wont get anywhare near my slomo in speed that at least does 60MPH +++.

I honestly want to see if all the rumors are true and show some people that you dont have to kill you wallet just to have a little fun and i hope i get mine fast enough so it has to be used in a lake and not just a pool or at the edge of the lake shunned by all the people who have spent hundeds of dollars on a boat that lasts 5 mins O0

now i have spent the following on this model
$22 on the kit
$20 on the motor it is an e-sky brushed helicopter motor EK1-0006 for a tail rotor of helicopters
$ 5 on the propshaft
$12 on the couplings and rudder
and the rest battery and RC TX/Rx I have salvaged from other stuff around the house

yes you do get a motor with the kit but it is rated at 3V and i killed it when i tested it on 7.2

So overall i Have spent and incredible amount of $59.00 AUD or around 30.00 GBP 


(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/P9080009.jpg)
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: dodgy geezer on September 10, 2009, 12:12:59 am

I honestly want to see if all the rumors are true and show some people that you dont have to kill you wallet just to have a little fun and i hope i get mine fast enough so it has to be used in a lake and not just a pool or at the edge of the lake shunned by all the people who have spent hundeds of dollars on a boat that lasts 5 mins O0

now i have spent the following on this model
$22 on the kit
$20 on the motor it is an e-sky brushed helicopter motor EK1-0006 for a tail rotor of helicopters
$ 5 on the propshaft
$12 on the couplings and rudder
and the rest battery and RC TX/Rx I have salvaged from other stuff around the house

yes you do get a motor with the kit but it is rated at 3V and i killed it when i tested it on 7.2

So overall i Have spent and incredible amount of $59.00 AUD or around 30.00 GBP 



More power to your elbow! That's what I'm trying to do on the eezebilt site, but I'm looking at a lower spend! Using the Terrier as an example, I can get one boat out of a 3ft x 4" sheet of 1/16" - that's 85p. Add a motor at 75p, a prop and shaft at £2.20, that's £3.80, or about 7.25 AUD. Of course, glue and paint put the price up...

I reckon that the Terrier would plane with LiPos, but not with NiCads - they are heavy and the boat is only 10 3/4" long. What batteries are you using? And what couplings? - I find it very difficult to source a cheap coupling which will take a fair bit of power...
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: brodjack on September 10, 2009, 01:17:58 am
I just went round to my local model shop. He showed me two of these kits which had just come in - he said they were new imports and he felt there was going to be a resurgance of interest amongst kids over here.

The kits were the same as yours, but marketed under the name 'Pacific Balsa'. They are very comprehensive, with prop, motor, glue and dope all included. So the £20 price tag is not completely unreasonable...

Kids making toy models,please! kids are into xboxs and mobile phones nowadays.Gone are the days when you and me used to be impressed with boats and plane models.
If my son has a few fast boats,which he has,i have to build them for him,he just laughs at the those little slow wooden kits.
Times have changed i'm afraid.Right or wrong, its the way it is...
Brod..
 
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: dodgy geezer on September 10, 2009, 02:09:22 am
....Gone are the days when you and me used to be impressed with boats and plane models.
If my son has a few fast boats,which he has,i have to build them for him,he just laughs at the those little slow wooden kits.
Times have changed i'm afraid.Right or wrong, its the way it is...
Brod..
 

Well, it's his shop. If he wants to put money into stocking them I assume he believes they will sell....
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: kiwi on September 10, 2009, 07:17:51 am
Hi,
There are still get up and go kids out there who "want to build something themselves", so best of luck to those shops stocking the smaller easily build starter kits.
You get my vote DG
cheers
kiwi
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on September 10, 2009, 11:50:57 am
with the couplers i am going to try the good red flexible couplings first and then if that doesn't work i will get a straight coupler machined for me a local bloke over here does them for me for a 12 pack of beer per coupler which ends up in a good drinking arvo :)

with the batteries i have a huge range from a local hobby swap meet that was held, and making them up was easy enough

and as you can see this is just a small range the two blue ones are a 8.4V 600 Mah and only 130 grams the big nimh 7.2 is a 400mah but weighs 420 grams but size would be a big factor there and the big lipo i dont think i want warp speed in this little "xxxxx" its a 14.4 V 5000 mah with a 30 C discharge rate and there is my split pack of 4.2V packs which are a home made job but i am not sure atm what to put in i might even make up another pack of 12 AA batteries 2 lots of 6 in parallel so effectively two 7.2 volt packs.

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/batteries.jpg)
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: dodgy geezer on September 10, 2009, 09:22:46 pm
with the couplers i am going to try the good red flexible couplings first and then if that doesn't work i will get a straight coupler machined for me a local bloke over here does them for me for a 12 pack of beer per coupler which ends up in a good drinking arvo :)


I'd be interested to see the design of his coupler. Do you just mean a straight tube with two grub screws...?

i might even make up another pack of 12 AA batteries 2 lots of 6 in parallel so effectively two 7.2 volt packs.


These boats are 14" long, aren't they? Won't 12 AAs be too heavy for them? But it will be impressive if you can manage it...
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on September 20, 2009, 02:02:29 pm
unfortunately camera is down atm due to a child mishap but the hull is completely together proptube andmotor installed and im waiting on the weather to fine up a bit so I can get to put a couple of coats of resin on the hulls as i have some West system resin lying around from my last build of my Slomoshun

talk to ya soon

Bob
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on October 25, 2009, 01:59:56 pm
Finally i got some time this weekend and some good weather to do some resin work both hulls got the underside done the tunnel hull got blown off the table to my dissapointment landing in a nice pile of dirt  <:( but all is well and good im just happy that summer is here and that also means that its building time  :D

the one on the top is mine and the one underneath is my father in laws  and a few more coats of resin and a lick of paint should see these little screamers in the water  O0

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/5.jpg)

Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on March 05, 2010, 10:50:38 pm
damn i forgot about this build until last week

OK time for an update of what I have done besides lots of cursing.

I got a 7.2 volt sub C battery from my local hobby store and a few other bits  i had lying around i might have to get a lighter receiver unit as the one i have in there is fairly heavy the previous motor i had, did not go the distance, and on a trip to Melbourne i picked up 6 micro servos (HS-55) for $40 so i put one of them in to do the turning thing. The Esc was a cheapie from ebay i think i paid $30 AUD for 2, they are rated at 30 Amps so it should do the job

and here it is atm i will have to make up a cover for it as i did not give myself enough room last time and have gone with a standard red coupler just balanced it a little by using the good ole black texter trick when the motor was running and filed away the waste material

and here she is atm ready for a test run in the water i hope to get something done in the way of a movie today

:)

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/06032010089.jpg)
(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/06032010088.jpg)
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on March 07, 2010, 01:53:27 am
well after a good laugh when i put it in the water and WoW it flies i put it in the old mans pool and i could not get up to top speed as the pool was not long enough but i came across a major problem, being that the servo had almost no throw and the turning circle was less than desired so out comes my little spares boxes and a bit of glue. the only problem with micro servos is that they don't fit regular servo arms but i have a solution here is a photo of the upgraded one next to an original one

it is a fairly easy job all it required was a pair of sidecutters to cut off the arm sections off the micro servo and then sanded the little hub round and it was a very tight press fit for a normal servo arm over the top with a spot of super glue and bobs your uncle you have a little more throw on your micro servo

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/07032010095.jpg)

but i still need to make a body cowling yet as water comes in over the back like you would not believe and except that it is a watertight as a babys butt
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on March 27, 2010, 10:02:25 am
well all is good at the moment with this one and she fairly mooves along very close to the speed of a club 500 with a 400 motor but weight is the punisher so things need to be lightened again and also does anyone know where to get a decent prop with a M2 thread for speedboats

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/P3270016.jpg)
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on April 11, 2010, 02:25:01 am
OH well i think i have gotten the micro bug

this disease is prevalent in men and women that want to try something different and fast and cheap
diagnosis larger hulls in your workshop tend to dissapear and smaller ones seem to appear from nowere, hours are spent on the internet finding very small, fast and light motors and esc's
well you get the picture.

i managed to give the boat a major overhaul and throw everything in that was fast  :D

the strut system from my Slomo it was lying there looking for a new home anyways
i found a 540 can Tamiya motor i think its an rx but i do know it is a hopped up version. a 50 amp esc a very small and light battery
 and a bucket load of madness and this little puppy will go like the clappers.
I took it down to the lake and lo and behold its a bit heavy in the nose and the other problem being is that the prop i had was way oversized. this has now been remedied by an order to astec models for a Graupner 480 bb Race motor and a small 40Amp plane esc with a 60amp burst and a look around my workshop/study for a smaller prop and lo and behold i found a x430 steel prop which has been balanced nicely. I have worked out with new motor and esc i will drop close to 250 grams of weight and as the whole boat weighs only 600 grams it will make a massive difference

here is the link to the slow version with too much weight
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrSteamboatbob#p/a/u/0/L1Gqo7LZEDg
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on April 24, 2010, 01:06:57 am
well here she is this morning after hacking and tuning

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/24042010161.jpg)

i have changed the following on it

-Graupner 480 BB Race Motor
-cut out a lot of useless balsa at the rear of the boat as to get the weight further back
- overall weight atm is 550 grams with battery

-the following is what is to be changed on it
-Lipo Battery 7.4v reduced weight by 10 grams
-schultze slim 40 be Esc reduces the weight by 120 grams from the proboat thing i have atm
-wiring to be changed to handle more current I just have too many connectors in atm that are not that good
-when all this gear arrives the weight will be a lot more evenly distributed towards the rear so ballance will be better

so overall weight will be 420 grams im sure i could get even less weight with a different drive system but that is just too expensive to do atm
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on April 25, 2010, 01:21:02 am
ok it flies

But here is the big thing i wanted to say atm

Price

at the moment this is what i have spent to get it to this stage I shall get a video for you guys soon to show you the difference before i get my upgrades done
-Hull                     -20
-Motor                  -50
-Battery                -30 (I Got Ripped Off)
-Esc                     -20
-Driveline              -80 (this includes strut, rudder, flex shaft, Propeller OcturaX430, Coupler)
-Radio Gear           -Free
-Total                   -$200 AUD


With upgrades to go really fast
-Hull                            -20
-Motor                         -50
-Lipo Battery                -15
-Schulze Esc 40Amp      -60
-Driveline                     -80
-Radio                         -Nothing

Total                          -$225 AUD

Now you could go the whole hog and go brushless but i don't see the point but I must say this the upgrades i Put in were just to see how far i could go with it My post on this thread on the 6 March when i tested it in my dads pool it is fast dont get me wrong but a few hints for the unwary

- if you are using a straight shaft make sure you put it as close to the hull as possible for some reason i had my prop sitting 10mm under the hull and it wanted to push the nose of the boat into the water and caused a lot of flooding into the hull
- Get as many leightweight items as you can too much weight in this beast kills it a sub C stick pack works fine with a speed 400 motor and i had 10 mins of fun with all my upgrades atm using my 1200mah sub c stick pack.
- the heavier hardware needs to be at the rear of the boat or else the nose will dive in and it will try to act like a submarine
- I never bothered with cowl locks hatch tape did the trick for me
- make sure you fibreglass or epoxy resin the hull thoroughly I allready have places where i seem to have gone a little light on with the resin and have had to repair it.

Other than that This kit is a blast and i would entirely put my full support behind it
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on May 03, 2010, 12:34:02 pm
And here she is with all new bits and bobs

and a total weight of 490 grams

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/03052010179.jpg)
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on May 08, 2010, 11:20:55 am
WELL HERE IT IS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-65NayPao0

and i will say now i do say the odd expletive

and i will post the aftermath of it in a day or two <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:( <:(

Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on May 08, 2010, 12:14:03 pm
Ok The anger has subsided just a little bit so here are the photos of what a concrete wall does to a balsa boat going flat out

What happend was Again there was a stick in the water that i ran over and it grabbed the rudder bending it up and to the right at the breakaway point so it is not really damaged then the boat started to turn right suddenly and i was trying to turn but to no avail i should have just taken my finger off the throttle but  I did not think of that at the time. %)   and it ran straight into the edge of the lake which happens to be made of concrete


this is the aftrmath

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/P5080040.jpg)

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/P5080041.jpg)

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/P5080042.jpg)

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/P5080043.jpg)

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/P5080045.jpg)
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: HS93 (RIP) on May 08, 2010, 02:51:55 pm
that's very sad because it looked really nice when I saw it, but because of the way it is designed and built  you should be able to fix it with a bit of sheet balsa..
nice to see the pictures of your lake again it was a nice day out


Peter
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on May 12, 2010, 01:33:11 pm
well things are travelling along nicely as i managed to get my hands on another kit and made some templates into 2mm and .8mm ply and have started to make it Harder, Faster, Stronger

the templates are all cut out and i am building it again as it is a great desgn
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: Sunshine on July 28, 2010, 03:58:40 pm
What Steamboatbob hasnt added is that he has finished the new boat, it looks great, he fitted it with a brushless motor and it goes like a "Bat out of Hell"

Sunshine
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: The long Build on July 28, 2010, 07:01:54 pm
Great thing about balsa , easy to replace..

Those Birds did not seem the bit least bothered about the boat either..
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: Prophet on July 28, 2010, 07:09:52 pm
Nice range of them here too for the uk guys
http://www.centuryuk.com/Products/Balsa+Wood+Kits (http://www.centuryuk.com/Products/Balsa+Wood+Kits)
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: dodgy geezer on July 28, 2010, 07:13:18 pm
I reckon we'll have to have an eezebilt 50+ one of those - if someone wants to design one....
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on July 29, 2010, 06:00:39 am
here it is atm with a few more things to be done


(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/29072010229.jpg)
(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/29072010228.jpg)

i grabbed the brushless motor and esc out of my joysway cat as that thing is just too unstable and wacked it in, also I got a lighter aluminium rudder with a new strut system comming soon so they are both red

This new upgrade is made from 0.8mm and 2mm ply all the internal bracing is made from 2mm and skinned with a 0.8mm ply coated with epoxy and painted black i will try to make a video of it this weekend so you can see what it does  :}

oh yeah forgot to say with a 11.1V Battery it weighs only 650 grams  O0 and goes like the proverbial
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on August 02, 2010, 10:19:18 am
and here are the vids


this one i only had it on 7.4V and running alongside a brushless  Kyosho jetstream 800 it was easy to handle and went quite well IMHO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptj1UognfDM&feature=related

and here it is on Steroids ( 11.1V)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyKmeJ_As30&feature=related

Enjoy
 :-)

I think i might build a bigger version of this at 650mm and put in a bigger engine %)
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: knoby on August 02, 2010, 11:30:21 am
I m really impressd with that Bob, even on 11. 4 volts it seems really stable. i doubt the original designer ever envisaged their little boat going that fast. it seems a really good way of getting maximum MPH for ur bucks.   :-))
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: Prophet on August 02, 2010, 01:32:52 pm
Dude that rocks im so gonna buy one after seeing that!!!
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on August 08, 2010, 06:36:25 am
Plans are now in place to upscale this little beastie into a mid size monster

luckily I kept all the templates i used to create the second one i have put them on the scanner and scaled them up 189% to make the hull 700mm long and with plans to get a 540 can 3000-3500 Kv brushless motor i do believe that will handle it nicely and i have a 150 amp etti esc and a 14v lipo i could use so costs wont be so high but will need a new drive system i will be keeping it to a inboard setup but will put the motor as far back as possible and use the battery as a ballast.

i will be using 2mm and .8 mm ply again but i might do a veneer skin over this but im unsure yet as to what i will do, im sure things will fall into place as I go along.

Will keep you guys posted as to the progress

Cheers

BOB
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on August 26, 2010, 10:06:15 am
sense and senility

Sense = knowing when your boat is at its maximum speed capability

Senility = when you walk into a model shop or browse flea bay, see something and you say to yourself " WOW i Gotta get me one of them and tweak my boat that little bit more " O0

as you can guess i have purchased a few items during the week and here is the end result

replaced my x430 prop with an alloy x436/3  :embarrassed:
totally reconfigured the watercooling system pickup to make it flow through my system a lot better  O0
and put in a new lighter rudder

but i believe that i will have to add a little weight into the front of the boat, I have some lead sheeting i will put in to keep it from flipping over and as luck would have it i will be taking it for a spin on Saturday and to my fortune the weather forcast is fine with little to no wind  :}

and here she is in all of her new glory  :-))

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/26082010256.jpg)

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/26082010254.jpg)
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: Wakusei on September 04, 2010, 04:44:42 pm
oi Bob,

I followed your topic at another forum and by googling for pacific balsa and aeroflyte i came to this one.
I also modified the kit and want to show you mine and for others to show what can be done using this kit.
I finalized the building stage and tomorrow is its first maiden.
By using a selfmade hardtop this little red dictator weighs with 2s 2200 25c lipo, a whopping 635 gr.
(http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m459/W4kuS3i/Dictator%20Pacific%20Balsa/dict38.jpg)

(http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m459/W4kuS3i/Dictator%20Pacific%20Balsa/dict37.jpg)
modified tunnel by adding a step
(http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m459/W4kuS3i/Dictator%20Pacific%20Balsa/dict40.jpg)
the inside
more building pics here (http://s335.photobucket.com/albums/m459/W4kuS3i/Dictator%20Pacific%20Balsa/)


Hardware:
Turnigy 450 H2218 Brushless outrunner 3200KV
Etti coupler 3.17>1,2mm
Etti 1.2mm BB Wire Drive with Strut
HK noname rudder, modified bracket
Hobbyking SS Series 40-50A ESC, modified watercooling
TURNIGY 3A UBEC w/ Noise Reduction
Conrad mini servo
Graupner 2299.30 carbon 3blade hydro prop
available lipo's for testing: 2s 2200mAh zippy oem 25C, 3s 2200mAh Turnigy 25C, 2 and 3s 1800mAh Flightmax/Turnigy 40C

hopefully i'll be able to post a video tomorrow

Ronald

Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on September 04, 2010, 04:56:07 pm
i would highly recommend an x430 prop as it has worked the best for me and i have thrown quite a few on and it still comes out on top :)

and watch out as it packs a lot of air underneath and Will do a flip on you if the weight is not balanced well

but very nice build and you photobucket album is brilliant

after i get my new boat up and running i will be donating my dictator to a young nephew who is a little impatient to get a quick boat

BoB


(WoW have I started something here  %)  )
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on September 05, 2010, 01:34:34 pm
went down to my lake today for a little fun also had my father with me who had a high speed camera,  which takes awesome photos and here are the results

this one shows the dictator in a very slight headwind just showing you guys how much air she packs underneath her

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/DSC_0361.jpg)

same again at full throttle, different angle

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/DSC_0338.jpg)

Hook Turn at full throttle

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/DSC_0332.jpg)

Heading Downwind

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/DSC_0333.jpg)

Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: Wakusei on September 05, 2010, 06:39:44 pm
nice pics Bob

I would like to show you my little red dictator in action pics, but none were taken. The first maiden went good but needed some fine tuning.
So decided to make a video with the second run. Made the adjustments en removed some water. Taped the canopy and went for a second run.
I made 2 straight lines and thought it was time to handover the control to my nephew so i can make the video myself.
But then it stopped, no throttle no steering. I suspect the ESC or receiver did get wet inside.
Guess we have to wait for a video.

Other than that, in the short run, this micro kat ran fine with similar wind conditions.

Ronald
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: Damien on September 27, 2010, 01:52:51 am
My son built one of these Aeroflyte mini cats around 25yrs ago when he was around 7yo he still has it, never fitted running gear as he was so proud of winning first prize in junior sect at local agricultural show he just kept it on display. They were good sellers in the mid 70's when they first came out and could be fitted with either 3v inboard or 3v outboard, as suggested I doubt they were designed to go fast as back then there was no such thing as fast electric Decaperm & Hectoperm were the motors available for boats slot car motors were occasionally experimented with in very small boats/ships.
Well done Bob
Where is your lake? I sailed alone in Mandurah in the mid 80's when we lived in Hamel just south of Waroona.

Damien.
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on September 27, 2010, 03:54:38 am
im out in the swan valley mate and have a choice of 3 lakes that i go to in ellenbrook
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: Drkomen86 on September 27, 2010, 12:08:31 pm
do you still have the plans and if so is there any chance that you could scan them in and send me a copy?
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on September 27, 2010, 12:25:17 pm
unfortunately no i dont have the plans anymore but an easy and cheap way is to buy the pacific balsa kit and use the balsa peices as templates for the ply


and you will also have a range of 4 hulls to choose from

srry i cant help you with that

BoB
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on November 13, 2010, 04:02:03 am
well i thaught an update was kinda necessary as i have ordered a new motor for my little baby and done some internal changes to make a little difference in weight distribution

i have mooved the motor as far forward as practical so the batteries can be a lot mor midship, taken out the heavy motor mount and put in a very light one have dropped 100 grams in just doing that

sprayed the cowling and given it a new look

and here she is all ready for testing this arvo ill try to get a video or 2 if is not too choppy

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/13112010312.jpg)

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/13112010311.jpg)

(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/steamboatbob/The%20Dictator/13112010313.jpg)
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: rathikrishna on November 27, 2010, 12:58:17 pm
Friend..will you add a video...?
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on December 09, 2010, 01:37:18 pm
i will as soon as i can mate every time i go out i dont get a good run but will try again this weekend. it is really starting to get windy in my neck of the woods and this little sucker doesn't like much chop
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: rathikrishna on December 10, 2010, 06:42:47 am
nice..again its a kind request...i am too happy to see its video...it will be a nice thing on water...Friend have a nice day..and weekend...
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on December 19, 2010, 02:00:30 pm
 :embarrassed:

Well all good intentions were made at getting a video for ya rathikrishna and the mind was willing but the flex shaft solder join to the stub shaft was very weak i have about 2 seconds of footage of it trying to get up on the plane and then nothing lots of motor revving but no action on the prop end of things so accept my humble apologies for no video and i will say only one thing (I purchased a 4900KV motor and new watercooled esc and a better way of getting the flex shaft to stick into the stub shaft). so please stay tuned and i will get there one day  O0
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: rathikrishna on December 20, 2010, 06:56:49 am
Hai..thanks for he efforts...but still i am wating for the excellent video from you...no worry take your own time to full fil it...but its a humble request again that to post a video...because it looks simply aggressive...and stunning...
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on January 07, 2011, 11:17:01 pm
well new motor and esc arrived yesterday so hopefully today will bring me some luck. batteries are charging as we speak  :D
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on January 08, 2011, 04:54:37 am
well all installed total weight with battery now is 592 grams with the battery
so setup now is

turnigy 2040 brushless inrunner 4900KV
turnigy 35 amp esc
X430 octura prop
micro servo
running gear from a joysway boat (very similar)
2.4Ghz radio flysky GT2 Pistol Grip style

video hopefully will be up by tonight
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on January 08, 2011, 10:59:58 am
here ya go Rathikrishna a new video of perth in the sunshine with a little boat running on 7.4 V

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrSteamboatbob#p/u/0/_WIBnYuNo9c
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: rathikrishna on January 09, 2011, 11:55:30 am
oh god is nice...ohhhh...a million thanks....will you tell me a way to save this video for me..?  please...
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on January 09, 2011, 01:04:26 pm
well mate as it is in cyberspace (youtube) it will be there for ever for you to look at but also i think it will perform a lot better with a smaller prop on it say a 27mm as the 30mm is loading the motor up too much
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: rathikrishna on January 10, 2011, 06:36:38 am
ok..thank you..but i do not have any connection at home...oh..but i will try to see it..as i have many things to learn from your video...have a nice day..
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: Wakusei on April 24, 2011, 09:37:53 am
Finally i got some small footage of my Little Red Dictator (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xet5uBZ2K_E) on 3S Lipo.
Do not expect the best quality from my phonecam, handled by nephew.
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on April 26, 2011, 01:33:14 am
awesome mate just wait one little boat is never enough
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: rossb753 on August 04, 2011, 10:03:07 pm
nice I'm getting the pacific balsa challenger its exactly the same as the aeroflight sabre comes from same company just different name
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: steamboatbob on August 05, 2011, 01:59:58 am
yeah pacific balsa purchased aeroflyte a few years back but they still produce a wonderful kit just remember to resin the balsa very well
Title: Re: Aeroflyte kit bash :)
Post by: timmay on October 18, 2012, 11:32:52 pm
Hello Gents

This thread prompted me to purchase a Pacific Balsa Dicactor kit and get cracking. I scratch built an IOM a few years ago so I should be ok with the balsa wangling and I intend to cover it in some nice lightweight glass fibre which is on order. Here is where I'm upto so far...

(http://s9.postimage.org/61n5b5t0b/IMAG0145.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/61n5b5t0b/)

(http://s8.postimage.org/e3f5ezn2p/IMAG0146.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/e3f5ezn2p/)

The included canopy seemed a flimsy and I wasn't sure how well it would seal so I've built one up from scrap balsa. I've been looking at the pictures of the Blue one, the black one and the Red Dictator for inspiration. I think the red one is wider than shown on the plan? I read somewhere that the width helps with turning and reducing the tendency to flip over so I'm  probably going to try that.

Its first time building an electric powered boat so I could do with some help. I don't have any donor boats so everything has to be hunted down. Starting with the drive shaft, I found this...

(http://s11.postimage.org/kvlotre0f/hor_microhw.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/kvlotre0f/)

https://astecmodels.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_79&products_id=179 (https://astecmodels.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_79&products_id=179)

would it be suitable? I've spied various parts on ebay but when you start adding them its almost the same as that kit. I'll wait to see what people think before getting any bits because really i don't have a clue!

Finally last question for tonight but the most important..... what engine setup do I get? I'm speed reading as much as I can to try and work things out myself but honestly all the numbers are blurring together and i'm confused! I'm tried searching for the specific motors mentioned in this thread but can't seem to find them for sale, although i may not be looking in the right places or the product numbers are different in the uk. Then I started trying to work out what prop I should get and then wondering what KV motor i should get which seems to depend on the voltage of the  batteries which I don't even have yet and confusion reigns! If I'm starting from scratch do I work out the motor first and build everything else round that? or does it make sense to start somewhere else?

Can someone please recommend a suitable setup to make this tiny craft go very very fast? promise to post more build pictures and any crash damage from putting a really fast motor in this boat!!  :-)

(http://s12.postimage.org/5syw5ipmh/IMAG0147.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/5syw5ipmh/)