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January 2nd, 2010, 06:45 PM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 81
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150% F1 Hydro!
Length: 39" (59.7 cm)
Wing Span: 23.5" (61 cm)
With Extra Wings: 46" (116.8 cm)
Wing Area: 4.8 sq ft (4,460 sq cm)
With Extra Wings: 6.2 sq ft (5,760 sq cm)
Weight: 28-34 oz (790-1000 g)
Minimum Required Channels: 4
About the F-1 Hydro 150%
Our original F1 Hydro from 2006 was a best seller and touted by Mike Fuller ("C/F" of RCGroups) as the best all-around RC Hydro. It was also featured in a couple RC magazines at the time. What made is a crowd favorite was it’s simple and sturdy build, "scale enough" look, and outstanding performance with lots of stability.
Four years later the scaled up 150% size is here. This new larger hydro has dual counter rotating motors that eliminate all torque roll. This feature alone makes it a whole new plane to fly, especially at slow speeds. Plus, the motors are tucked inside between the reinforced spontoons and fuselage protecting them at all times! No more busted props from running into stuff.
For me personally I like it so much because I can drive it anywhere anytime, even in rain and snow. Its low stress flight characteristics allow me to take off and land safely from my yard and run right back in the house on cold days. I recommend it to any experienced scratch builder who is looks for a good all-around-beater plane to just have fun with in the yard or local duckpond.
Dave's Recommendations
– The APC 6×4 props are good for speed but the 3-bladed 6x3x3 are best for slow flying. I personally like the 6x3x3s for this plane. Make sure to get counter rotating!
– The plywood reinforcement is not "needed" as the plane will fly, float, and drive just fine without it. The plywood gives it so much more strength and virtually eliminates the need for repairs. Its well worth the extra weight if you fly hard like me.
– The dopey Durbo push-rods are nice to use for this one as you can then "seal up" all the holes with hot glue keeping it water tight.
– Have full throws on the elevator and rudder but easy on the roll. I put 50% expo on the roll and it worked out nice.
– No gyros needed but if you were to put just one gyro on it, put it on the pitch. When the plane speeds up it can pitch up sometimes due to the wing area in front of the CG and its up-angled motors. A gyro smooths it out some but for me it wasn’t worth the added complexity so I took my gyro off.
– Speaking of pitching up, DON’T fly this plane full throttle, Ace! This plane will start to go erratic on the pitch if you fly super fast. Because of its unique wing it likes to cruise so just save full throttle for take-offs and then dial back once you are in the air. Plus, the 3-bladed props don’t like super high RPMs.
– Speaking of 3-bladed props, if you’re slick, also order some 7x3x3s as well and cut them down to 6x3x3. Why? Because the 7 inch props are thicker, fatter, and stronger than the 6 inch props.
– Speaking of 6 inches, whatever you do (cause I know no one is reading this) use a 6 inch diameter prop. If you go bigger you will slap the water and hit the grass and then I will laugh at you.
F-1 Hydro 150% Parkjet
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If you have any questions please post them in the comments below. I'm subscribed to this thread and will answer you right away. 
~ Scott Lott
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January 2nd, 2010, 06:46 PM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 81
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See the smaller F1 HYDRO 3D INSTRUCTION page for more pictures.
How to wire 2 MOTORS HERE.
3mm Carbon Tubes and Spontoons (3:15) Topics Covered:
- 3mm Carbon Tubes needed (exact placement on the PDF plans)
(3) 23.5" Two for the front body and one for the rear.
(1) 9.5" For the motor cross brace.
(1) 13.75" for the vertical stabilizer.
- I use 5 minute epoxy to seal up the spontoons and then hit the outside joints again with hot glue.
Servos and Fuselage (3:31) Topics Covered:
- Install the servo tray about 1/4 inch above the deck just in case water were to get inside the boat.
- For the fuselage roof, work your way from the back to front, gluing only about 6 inches at a time with 5 minute eopxy.
- I personally like to use the stronger Hitec 56 or 65 metal gear servos because they're faster and stronger and I don't ever have to worry about replacing them. But your cheap servos will work too.
- I use earth magnets for the hatch.
Control Surfaces (3:13) Topics Covered:
- I use 4 Nylon Hinges for the each of the 2 elevons and 3 hinges for the rudder.
- Glue them in with 5 Minute Epoxy.
- Leave about 1/8" gaps for the surfaces to move freely.
- I like maximum throws on everything and about 50% expo on the roll.
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January 2nd, 2010, 06:46 PM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 81
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See the smaller F1 HYDRO 3D INSTRUCTION page for more pictures.
How to wire 2 MOTORS HERE.
Skid Plates (4:43) Topics Covered:
- I use strapping tape for the front spontoons and popcicle sticks for the rear.
- It goes on grass on water very well, just mind the street as it can ware the underside down.
Motors and Props(7:44) Topics Covered:
- 2 MicroJet V3s on a 1500mah or even 2200mah battery work best for this plane.
- My favorite is using the 7x3.5x3 props trimmed down to 6inches. This gives the best durability and performance. Be sure to get a counter rotating pair.
- Standard 6x4 APC props will work just fine as well.
Dave's Flight TipsRCPowers (5:24) Topics Covered:
- Full throws with 50% expo on the roll.
- Fly it with the wings on for the first flight. Its super stable and slow with the wings on.
- Don't fly super fast with this one! This will cause the plane to pitch some. It likes to cruise and fly slow.
- The counter rotating motors eliminate all torque roll making it one of the nicest flying planes I've had.
See the smaller F1 HYDRO 3D INSTRUCTION page for more pictures.
How to wire 2 MOTORS HERE.
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January 2nd, 2010, 08:15 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 151
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I think these are the only plans that are regular $12.99. But you are selling for $9.99 right now. Are you planning on ever selling this at $12.99. Either way, I have already purchased it. Will have to wait for my move to California before I build.
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January 2nd, 2010, 09:33 PM
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Dopey-Dope
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,227
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyrant1919
I think these are the only plans that are regular $12.99. But you are selling for $9.99 right now. Are you planning on ever selling this at $12.99. Either way, I have already purchased it. Will have to wait for my move to California before I build.
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Right. Next Saturday when all the instructions are done the price on this one will be $12.99. Few reasons for that; its actually took ALOT of time to make and perfect and dial in just right. Been working on it almost every day for a couple months. Also, we wanted the higher price to help "discourage" beginners from buying it. Its probably in our top 5 easiest planes to fly, but the twin motor wiring and build techniques would be too much for beginners.
Anyway, glad you got it, you will really like it alot.
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January 3rd, 2010, 12:33 AM
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Duckeron MOD (aka "Dred")
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Ohio, USA
Posts: 735
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Woot great job on that Hydro Dave, and it floats well!
Is that one of your neighbors in the mini cam vid?
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January 3rd, 2010, 01:45 AM
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Dopey-Dope
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,227
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Hey thanks Dred! Yes, it floats very nice, lots of water and ground clearance on this one. That pond is a few miles from our house so we just met those people in the video. Fun to see people that have never seen anything like this. Their reactions are always so funny. "Oh muh Gaaa!"
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January 3rd, 2010, 10:44 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Sydney, Land Down Under
Posts: 98
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavePowers
Its probably in our top 5 easiest planes to fly, but the twin motor wiring and build techniques would be too much for beginners.
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Hey Dave, Which 2 planes do you think is the easiest to fly? 
Thanks
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January 3rd, 2010, 12:54 PM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Guam U.S.A
Posts: 12
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WOW! awesome work as always Dave!...you've got a nice pond to fly on.
KP.
__________________
Am I inverted?
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January 3rd, 2010, 01:05 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 42
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Hi Dave, Happy New Year. I was watching the Hydro video and the part where you were taking off in the water raised a question for me. As you mentioned, taking off with the "wings" on in the water might be a little tricky, so this brings me to my question...would wing tip floats help keep the wing a little more level so they won't dig in? Without the wings it takes off beautifully. Reg
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PERFECT all season plane!
Linear Mode
