background image

INTRODUCTION ...............................................................2
PRECAUTIONS.................................................................2
PREPARATIONS ...............................................................2

Covering method ............................................................2
Suggested tools and supplies.........................................3
Other suggested items....................................................3
Get ready to build ...........................................................3
Parts identification ..........................................................3
Die-cut patterns........................................................4 & 5

60 FLOATS PREASSEMBLY ............................................6

Spine...............................................................................6
Forward keel ...................................................................6
Sides and deck ...............................................................6

CONSTRUCTION OF 20, 40, 60 SPORT FLOATS ...........6

Framing...........................................................................6
Aft stringers ....................................................................8
Forward stringers ............................................................8
Prepare for sheeting .......................................................9
Aft bottom sheeting.........................................................9
Forward bottom sheeting ................................................9
Nose block and finishing ...............................................10

COVERING......................................................................11

Covering method ..........................................................11
MonoKote film ...............................................................11
Glass cloth & resin........................................................11

POSITIONING OF FLOATS ............................................12

Prepare your airplane to accept the floats ....................13

60 FLOATS ONLY ...........................................................14

Notes about soldering...................................................14
Solder the cross braces ................................................14
Mount the struts to the floats
and solder the diagonal braces.....................................15
Mounting the 60 floats ..................................................16

20 AND 40 FLOATS ONLY..............................................16

Mount the struts to the floats ........................................16
Mount the floats to the airplane ....................................16

ALL MODELS .................................................................17

Build the rudder ............................................................17
Pushrod hookup............................................................17
Connect the rudder  ......................................................18

(20 and 40 floats)......................................................18
(60 floats)..................................................................19

VENTRAL FIN .................................................................19

BEFORE  GOING TO THE  LAKE.....................................20

WATERPROOFING .........................................................20

FLYING ............................................................................20

Thank you for purchasing the Great Planes Sport Floats.
During our first flight tests with our Piper Cub 60 and Cub
20 on floats, we were amazed by the superb handling
characteristics on the water and ultra–smooth, realistic
takeoffs. Of course, the Great Planes Sport Floats will work
well with other models too.

The 20, 40 or 60 Sport Floats may be properly assembled
from this single manual. Although the Great Planes Piper
Cubs are used as examples, the same procedures and
guidelines apply if you are installing your floats on a
different model.

Please inspect all parts carefully before starting to
build! If any parts are missing, broken or defective, or if
you have any questions about building or flying these
floats, please call us at (217) 398-8970. If you are
calling for replacement parts, please look up the part
numbers and the kit identification number (stamped on
the end of the car ton) and have them ready 
when calling.

Remember: Take your time and follow directions to end
up with a sturdy, well-built set of floats that are straight
and true.

After the floats are built, you will have to decide how you
will finish them. Iron-on film such as Top Flite

®

MonoKote

®

covering is our recommended method. The alternative is
3/4 oz. fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin, then paint.
You do not have to make this decision immediately, but
refer to the Finishing section in this instruction manual 
for more information. This is something you can ponder
during construction.

Covering Method

PREPARATIONS

PRECAUTIONS

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

Summary of Contents for Sport Floats

Page 1: ...be assumed nor accepted for any damage resulting from the use by the user of the final user assembled product By the act of using the user assembled product the user accepts all resulting liability I...

Page 2: ...andling characteristics on the water and ultra smooth realistic takeoffs Of course the Great Planes Sport Floats will work well with other models too The 20 40 or 60 Sport Floats may be properly assem...

Page 3: ...M is the Great Planes brand HCA is the Hobbico brand TOP is Top Flite IMPORTANT For your model to handle properly on the water and in the air the Sport Floats must be built on a flat surface Also a re...

Page 4: ...4 DIE CUT PATTERNS 60 SIZE...

Page 5: ...5 DIE CUT PATTERNS 20 SIZE 40 SIZE...

Page 6: ...re it fully cures 1 Trial fit the die cut 3 32 balsa upper float side lower float side and aft float side Make adjustments if necessary When satisfied with the fit use thin CA to glue the three pieces...

Page 7: ...eck from former C forward 5 Lay waxed paper over your flat building board and position all the formers except A and I on the deck Make sure the notches in the formers fit all the way down to the deck...

Page 8: ...ng photo 3 Cut a 3 16 x 3 16 forward stringer to fit in the notches of formers E to A do not attempt to bend the stringer down to the notches in former A at this time Use a pen to make marks every 1 2...

Page 9: ...the center and should be placed so it covers half of the keel Make adjustments if necessary and bevel the edges of the aft bottom sheets that contact each other in the center Note An embossed arrow i...

Page 10: ...d arrows to aid in final alignment 4 Referring to the sketch rough sand the entire float with a sanding block and 150 grit sandpaper blending the sides to the deck and the bottoms to the side Sand all...

Page 11: ...rototype 60 floats mounted on our Great Planes J 3 Cub 60 are covered with MonoKote film and were really put to the test Following are instructions for both covering methods 1 Seal all seams except ar...

Page 12: ...ing you may do the top and sides first then the bottom If you work quickly you can save the paint brush by cleaning it with alcohol before the resin begins to thicken 7 Carefully sand the entire float...

Page 13: ...this yields a slight positive wing incidence in relation to the floats and the airplane will tend to rise off the water at the correct time If you have a model with a symmetrical wing the wing incide...

Page 14: ...solder 1 Match the shorter front strut with the front cross brace and the taller rear strut with the rear cross brace The matching struts and cross braces are the ones that fit together the best Note...

Page 15: ...hem with a 12 or 13 64 drill bit Mount the bearings to the floats with 4 40 x 1 2 screws 2 Temporarily join the floats to the struts by inserting them into the bearing mounts Use a felt tip pen to mar...

Page 16: ...per bearing mount placement 2 Temporarily join the floats to the struts with the 5 32 wheel collars The following instructions show the Great Planes J 3 Cub 20 and 40 Use the instructions sketches and...

Page 17: ...n the nylon swivel 1 8 past the end 4 Loosely install the rudder on the right float with two flat straps two 1 8 hump straps and four 2 x 3 8 sheet metal screws Adjust the bottom of the rudder bracket...

Page 18: ...de tube to the aft strut with a nylon tie 8 Drill a 1 16 hole and secure the cable guide tube to the mount plate with one of the cut off hump straps and 2 x 3 8 sheet metal screws 20 40 Floats only Af...

Page 19: ...rewing the nylon clevis at either end of the cable 8 Mount another 1 8 plywood mount plate and the other cut hump strap near the rear of the guide tube 9 Test the actuation of the water rudder on the...

Page 20: ...g around in the water to learn the handling characteristics and see if you have built in enough throw on the water rudder Make adjustments if required During taxiing hold up elevator to keep the nose...

Page 21: ......

Reviews: