BRADLEY–DAVIES SEAHORSE
When the Civil Oceanography Department (COD) bought the little Bradley-Davies Grasshopper and fitted it with an inflatable single mattress float and a camera system to use as a low-cost ocean survey craft, a niche market was uncovered. Bradley-Davies decided to make a dedicated seaplane and equip it with three camera stations and a single, nose-mounted rifle, for tagging or tranquilising specimens.
Two wing pods may be equipped with fixed, downward looking still or video cameras, while the fuselage camera is mounted on a Controlled Height Integrated Probe System (CHIPS) , which is retractable and extendable with a forward-facing camera for tracking purposes. With an underwater camera mounted it can also be used to film specimens swimming at shallow depths by extending the camera probe below the sea surface when afloat. The camera probe is safety locked to the gear switch so it cannot be extended with gear down.
COD and CHIPS are broadening Ocean Research activities due to the versatility of the Seahorse. Its small size allows it to be swung out and lowered from a ship by a standard derrick for launch, and subsequently recovered after a mission. The small engine and efficient prop means operating costs are low, and adequate performance means that two crew or divers can be accommodated on temporary seats mounted on the inner floats. The gear raises, and two outrigger floats render the aircraft stable for water landings, takeoffs and surface maneouvres.
Max speed is 125Kts and Stall speed is 62 Kts with full flaps. Take Off with ½ flaps. Rotate at around 68 Kts, unstick at 75Kts. Steering with Rudder.
G Gear and Outriggers
VTOL + AG1 Flaps (Zero on Deactivate)
AG2 Nav/Pos Lights
AG3 Landing/Search Lights
AG4 Lower Camera Probe from stowed position (Zero on Deactivate)
AG5 Extend Camera Probe (Zero on Deactivate)
Specifications
General Characteristics
- Created On Windows
- Wingspan 39.6ft (12.1m)
- Length 21.2ft (6.5m)
- Height 9.0ft (2.7m)
- Empty Weight 2,552lbs (1,157kg)
- Loaded Weight 2,840lbs (1,288kg)
Performance
- Horse Power/Weight Ratio 0.299
- Wing Loading 12.0lbs/ft2 (58.6kg/m2)
- Wing Area 236.8ft2 (22.0m2)
- Drag Points 6698
Parts
- Number of Parts 204
- Control Surfaces 10
- Performance Cost 1,026
I have tried on high and low@GhostHTX
@GhostHTX Yeah, use full flaps and 25% throttle and pull the nose up to about 5° and she'll settle onto the water nicely. Keep the stick back until speed drops to around 50mph and you'll keep the old feet dry.
Thats weird. I dont get that at all. What physics settings are you on? @Megaplanesinc
When i start in the water it flips over tail first, even if i teleport it into the water with the floats extended, it only works if i put the throttle to 100% on start.@GhostHTX
Ok. Are we talking about her nosing over on touchdown or is this more of a capsizing of her own accord when starting from the water? Which way does she flip? Nose or tail first? @Megaplanesinc
I think the issue is more with the seat stick interface than the design, matey. After pootling around a wee bit Ive found that if one has more than 65mph ish approach speed and doesnt flare like buggery then a swim is one the cards. But thats quite normal and she is bloody good fun to fly. @Alien
@GhostHTX Thanks, old bean, appreciate you taking the time. Poor Megaplanesinc seems to have a recurring problem, however, and I don't know why. Maybe extending the rear float section would resolve it for him. Bloody good to be back, actually - this work malarkey seriously cuts into my SP time!
Its not that even with the floats extended if i put it in the water it likes to flip on its back. @Alien
@Alien Ive flown her around a bit and she is fun to cruise around in. I really like the cockpit and the nose mounted «rifle» for tagging and bagging sea life...
If one is not very gentle on landing in the drink, the position of the vertical COG will give her a tendency to nose down on touchdown. Like a great many things in life, by the time it happens its too late, you make a lovely cartwheel and your going for a swim.
Landing on terra firma is as straight forward as can be, however.
Bloody good to see you back!
@GhostHTX Thanks matey! Give it a robust test flight, would you? Someone said it tips over.
@Viper3000ad Thanks!
@Megaplanesinc it will if you nose down during take off or landing. Otherwise it's fine.
It just flips over in the water
The description is worth the upvote alone. Simply wonderful, old chap!
Very beautiful !
@Alien Anytime
@Tang0five :-) Hope you like it.
COD and CHIPS love it! Will try it out soon!
@Minnererg Thanks, bro.
really awesome