Introduction
This build started off due to me being bored one day and browsing youtube... FranticMatty posted something asking for a challenge build of a single engine floatplane fighter (he didnt post what game he wanted it in) so here we are.
The Albatross is an unusual beasty, as part of the design philosophy it was decided to engineer the floats so that they could be retracted upto the fuselage to assist with handling etc, this mechanism along with the floats added weight hence the aircraft weighing nearly 2000lbs more than the equivalent land based aircraft. Saying that, the extra weight isnt particularly noticable once airbourne and the aircraft is nicely manoeverable and combatative.
Armed in this guise with 4 wing mounted cannon, it was posible to carry underwing or underbelly mounted weapons.
Controls
AG1 = start the engine
AG2 = shut the cockpit
VTOL dn = flaps
TRIM = trim elevator
Note: the aircraft likes to "stick" on the water as the drag from the floats on the water exceeds the engines ability to gain speed above about 110knts (more engine power resulted in a stupidly fast aircraft), in reality this wouldnt have been a problem as just the buffeting from waves would have enabled lift off, on SP you have to do it manually:
Select half flap down and full trim down, get to 110kts and then pull back on the stick, if lift off doesnt occur, alternate roll from side to side and it will lift a float and then both.
Pictures
Specifications
General Characteristics
- Created On Windows
- Wingspan 39.2ft (11.9m)
- Length 31.6ft (9.6m)
- Height 14.7ft (4.5m)
- Empty Weight 13,428lbs (6,090kg)
- Loaded Weight 14,123lbs (6,406kg)
Performance
- Horse Power/Weight Ratio 0.141
- Wing Loading 22.4lbs/ft2 (109.5kg/m2)
- Wing Area 629.7ft2 (58.5m2)
- Drag Points 1011
Parts
- Number of Parts 931
- Control Surfaces 0
- Performance Cost 2,758
No problem! @RamboJutter
@Hedero thanks =) Yeah i added some notes about takeoff in the instructions. The issue is resolvable with a bit of a wiggle on the takoff run using ailerons. Ill have a look at the other item you mentioned as i hadnt noticed it. The floats balanced so nice with it hopping up onto the step at about the right speed i didnt want to alter it to improve takeoff as it needed the bouyancy increasing or a mehcanism to push down into the water to get it airbourne. Thanks for the comment and upvotes.
Only a couple issues with the build, the cockpit trim sticks to the moving piece of thr cockpit, just open and close your cockpit and you'll see what I mean, the aircraft physically can't takeoff with the floats deployed, the only way is to either retract the floats, accelerate and then takeoff, or just get up to speed with floats extended and then retract floats to get off the water. And I think the guns would be cooler with something other then yellow tracers but ehh. But easily the coolest part of this plane is the extendable/retractable floats. It is SO satisfying to watch the floats perfectly retract, well done!
This is awesome!
Cool! The camo and lettering/ rounded are very impressive. So is the paneling on the underside.
@Skykid028 help yourself
Impressive plane. Great job! With your permission I'd like to add alittle something to it
This is a really cool plane
Flying in it is fun, the pontoon retraction is ingenious, and the speed and maneuverability is great
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One thing, using flaps on takeoff INCREASES drag, and when you use them for takeoff on this aircraft, the plane needs roll to shimmy out of the water. Taking off with full trim and pitch works perfectly