| Virtually all model aircraft can be fitted with floats for | | | | into the float sides, cutting here and there to insure a |
| flying from water sites, or with skis for operation | | | | good fit. Drill holes into the plywood and then cut the |
| over snow-covered areas. This type of flying | | | | aluminum sheet straps. These are bent around the |
| presents a refreshing departure from take-offs and | | | | brass tubing. Now, bend the 1/16" music-wire |
| landings on dry ground and affords a thrilling new | | | | crossbraces; these are inserted into the straps and |
| experience for the model-airplane enthusiast. | | | | the straps are then bolted to the plywood, holding |
| Water-based aircraft can be divided into three | | | | both the tubing and crossbraces in place. Cut away |
| classifications: "flying boats", the fuselage of which is | | | | part of the float to make room for the tubing. |
| shaped like a ship's hull; "single-float seaplanes", with | | | | This tubing must protrude above the float upper |
| one main float supporting the fuselage and utilizing | | | | surface. Securely cement the two bulkheads into the |
| small floats at the wing tips to obtain stability on the | | | | inboard float upper surface. Securely cement the two |
| water; and the most popular of all, "twin floats." | | | | bulkheads into the inboard float halves, then apply |
| All three types can be successfully operated in model | | | | plenty of cement to the remaining outboard float |
| form; however, in view of the fact that most models | | | | halves and join under pressure. Do not disturb for at |
| are built as land planes and are later converted into | | | | least four hours, preferably overnight. The balsa |
| seaplanes, we recommend and shall describe "twin | | | | cross-brace fairing is optional. |
| floats." This type can be readily installed on any land | | | | These floats are replicas of standard commercial |
| plane, although some full-scale aircraft are not easily | | | | designs and will be in good taste on any scale model. |
| fitted with seaplane gear. We will describe the | | | | They are permanently attached to each other via |
| installation for the "Aeronca Sedan", "Northrop | | | | the two wire cross braces. The forward brace is |
| Gamma", and "Curtiss Goshawk" only because it is | | | | faired by a sheet balsa streamline as is customary on |
| known that these full-size craft can be fitted with | | | | most fuel scale floats. The permanent attachment of |
| floats. | | | | these floats aids considerably in installation and |
| Our floats are patterned along the lines of standard | | | | alignment. Distance between floats should be equal to |
| commercial types and are carved from solid balsa | | | | one-half the length of the float. |
| blocks. The floats are, however, divided along the | | | | The importance of the external finish cannot be |
| vertical centerline in lieu of the horizontal. Once | | | | overemphasized. Apply at least six coats of sanding |
| separated, these can be hollowed; the interior should | | | | sealer and follow with five coats of fuel proof silver |
| receive several coats of dope in order to insure | | | | dope. |
| watertightness. Thick coats are recommended. | | | | Now you may land your craft on any body of water. |
| Saw the plywood bulkheads to shape and carefully fit | | | | Have fun! |