Scratch Built de Havilland Beaver (Free Plans!)

by Captain T | March 13, 2015 | (11) Posted in Projects

 

One day I was flying my HK Bush Master and a tree popped out of nowhere and destroyed the plane. The electronics were fine so I decided to make a new plane from the electronics. I decided to try and recreate the de Havilland Beaver. I chose the Beaver because it looked like a relatively simple design and I have always loved this type of STOL aircraft.

I started the build by studying some diagrams I found on the interwebs.

After I got some of the general design aspects from the diagrams, I started cutting out the wing. The wing is 60 inches long and has a 22cm chord. It has 11 inch ailerons and has 15 inch flaps. I wanted big flaps so it could slow way down and take off in a few feet. I am using four 9 gram servos on the wing (2 for ailerons and 2 for flaps. One reversed)

Then I took some pictures off the internet of the Flyzone Beaver to try to copy the color scheme the best I could. I used colored packing tape to do all the colored parts.

I also used a very dense plastic material for the wing spar so I don't fold the wings. I have lots of experience with folding wings on big planes, so I didn't want to take a chance on this one.

After I got the wing looking the way I wanted it to, I started on the fuselage. The fuselage was pretty easy other than the windows. I don't have any artistic skills whatsoever, so I asked my Mom to do the windows. I think they turned out quite good! I also had some old 5.5" tires from a 200% spitfire that I decided to use on this. They look so cool!

The landing gear is from the Bush Master too. I cut a hole in the bottom of the fuselage and glued the mount inside the plane rather than outside to give it a cleaner look. I also ran 2 carbon spars where the landing gear mounts to strengthen the foam

After my Mom sketched out the shape of the windows, I went over it with black packing tape.

Then it was time to mount the motor. The motor mount I had was kinda strange so I had to use BBQ skewers to hold it in place, I also cut out a small sheet of 1/8'' plywood to help hold it in place.

The battery is mounted just behind the CG on a balsa battery tray from the Bush Master.

I decided to mount the wing with simple rubber bands because it was easy and it worked. I used some of that dense plastic spar material to hook the bands onto.

After I finished the fuselage and wing, I started on the tail section. I used the 25 gram servos that came with the Bush Master, but I think 9 gram servos would have been fine. I think I kinda messed up the vertical stab shape, but it works so... ya. I also added the little winglet type things to the horizontal stab to match the Flyzone Beaver.

 The servos are located under the wing. 

Here are some specs

Motor: 3648 700kv Brushless Outrunner
ESC40A
Servos: 9g x 425g x 2

Wingspan: 60''

Length 40''

Battery: 2200 4s 40-80c

Prop: 12x8

Weight: 56 oz

Wing Loading: 12.8 oz per square foot

This is a video of the second flight. I was alone for the first so I couldn't film it.

Thanks for reading!

COMMENTS

Miracle Air on March 13, 2015
Yeah, the trees where I live are particularly aggressive. I've talked to the county about it but they're overworked anyway. Maybe we should allow a controlled hunt.

That's a sweet flying plane, and I love the tape job.
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PropSpinner on March 14, 2015
Impressive model. It's cool that your Mom helped in FliteTest fashion.
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dharkless on March 16, 2015
You are not really 14, are you. 28? 47?
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Captain T on March 16, 2015
No, I am 14, but I believe I am 45 on Facebook because,,,, Auctually,I don't know.
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dharkless on March 16, 2015
! didn't make a plane bigger than me till I was 63!
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Captain T on March 16, 2015
Thanks, I Love your work! You made some of my favorite articles!
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dharkless on March 16, 2015
I was just trying to say that you are quite accomplished for your age. Keep up the good work.
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Desert Wings on March 13, 2015
You have been busy this winter. Good job on the scratch builds.
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sailorJohn on March 13, 2015
Nice video and article, Jeffco reromodelers at Chattfield dam has a great paved flying site open to the public with AMA . or Arvada rc which is closer to you. Saddly you have missed the big Jeffco auction but watch for Warbirds over Denver. Your lucky to have Thomson's hobby near you.
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Captain T on March 13, 2015
I fly at Arvada on occasion. I missed the auction too. I really wanted to go but I couldn't:( Where is Thomsons Hobby?
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sailorJohn on March 14, 2015
Sheridan and Colfax in the rear ,used to be the best source for balsa, kits, and decals, stuff old time hobby shops used to have
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Phantom_flyer on April 12, 2015
I love this design and am making modifications to mine I am building. with mine though it only has an elevator and a rudder
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Jake3dpilot on July 25, 2016
Awusome build up Toby
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Captain T on July 25, 2016
Thanks!

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Jake3dpilot on July 25, 2016
I might make one with bigger control surfaces
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Captain T on July 25, 2016
That will be so cool!
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Scratch Built de Havilland Beaver (Free Plans!)