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A standard 2-inch grey plastic spinner (above left) complements the window and trim color. Note that an ample cooling scoop is molded into the power pod on either side and has an exit at the back of the unit. The “TX-R Prime” version of the plane comes with a Tactic receiver (above center) and can be adapted


The two wing floats are next and are sim- ply inserted into hard plastic housings em- bedded in the wing. The floats can only fit the correct way, thanks to the airfoil-shaped and splined receptacles that accept the float “N” brackets. I did find that pushing both legs of the brackets at the same rate was necessary to get the floats properly seated. With the motor pod and floats securely at- tached to the wing, the next step is to plug the motor wires into the ESC, accessed by remov- ing the tab and magnet attached front hatch at the front of the fuselage. The hatch has a handy, if obtrusive-looking, knob situated at the rear of the hatch; however, the knob proved to be essential to break the grip of the strong magnet which keeps the hatch closed. I should note here that the hatch is very well designed to keep water out of the fuse- lage. The fuselage has a raised tapered lip around the hatch opening as shown in one of the photos. The hatch has a corresponding downward projecting lip that fits inside the fuselage lip. That is not to say that water will never enter the fuselage, but so far in my flights with the plane, water has not gotten inside. A standard method of protection that many veteran seaplane flyers use is to slip some folded paper towels into the nose of the plane to absorb any water that might get in- side.


After the motor is connected to the ESC,


to any transmitter using the Tactic “AnyLink” adapter (TACJ2000). The receiver is held in place in the bottom of the fuselage with hook-and-loop material. Details like door openings (above right), hatches, windows, and landing lights are all done with nicely installed and unobtrusive decals.


the only remaining assembly step is to bolt the wing to the fuselage. That is effected by aligning the notched center panel of the wing to the corresponding protruding area of the fuselage and pushing it forward gen- tly. Once the wing is seated, a nylon bolt at the trailing edge holds everything together. It’s now time to make sure all of the servo leads are plugged into the correct channels of the receiver and the controls are not re- versed. Balancing the plane is done by mov- ing the battery on its hook-and-loop mounts until it balances at the recommended point 17⁄8 inches back from the leading edge. Once I found that point on my plane, I made a mark with a black marker inside the fuse- lage to indicate where the front of the bat- tery should be placed each time.


Tidewaterflight notes The weather in tornado-prone Oklahoma


hasn’t been very conducive to flying any- thing this spring, but the forecast showed winds that would at least be acceptable for a short period one morning soon after the Tidewater was ready for its maiden flight. I quickly enlisted the aid of club-mate Paul Phillips, who is our steady go-to-guy for trim flights and photo sessions, and headed for a small pond on the campus of our local voca- tional school.


The weather forecast neglected to men-


tion that it was going to be overcast all morning, so the perfect backdrop is lacking in the photos. What is there, though, are photos of a very nice-flying little plane that is solid in all respects. It sets in the water perfectly balanced on its hull and float tips, takes off straight with its very effective wa- ter rudder, and lands in a surprisingly small amount of space.


Paul, who had never flown a float plane before, was suitably impressed with its total flight envelope and very pleased with the ease of flying the plane. While there was no attempt made to wring out the plane in any manner other than mild aerobatics, the Tidewater is a very stable platform, easily suitable for the novice seaplane pilot. Paul did note that because of the motor being well above the centerline of the aircraft, the plane does require a bit of up during acceler- ation to take-off to keep the nose up and ready for liftoff. The little Tidewater has no bad habits or surprises, and thanks to its proven design, light weight (32 ounces), and matched 1300


Kv motor, it doesn’t need a whole lake to get airborne and land. Flyzone has added a real winner to its already impressive line-up of models. My thanks to Paul Phillips and the Great Planes Technology Center for assist- ing in getting this review done as expedi- tiously as possible!


The spray flies as the plane accelerates (at left) and the floats lift off. The Tidewater’sclassic seaplane lines with its planing hull, wing floats, and pod-mounted motor (above) show to good advantage in these shots.


FLYING MODELS 29


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