Coolest Water Toy Ever? Manned Boat-Towed Ekranoplan (Build Part 2)

We are going big around here! Getting my full scale building feet wet with something safe (ish). Turns out it is a lot like building a model, just easier!
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[@NicholasRehm]

I always wanted to do the red bull flugtag and watching this build isn’t helping my urges lol

[@thinkflight]

Me too.... Collab?

[@yelectric1893]

Please do. Then I’ll join the party lol

[@ezrarichardson279]

@@thinkflight please do!

[@1islam1]

@@thinkflight 🔴 What Is Islam? ⚠️ 🔴 Islam is not just another religion. 🔵 It is the same message preached by Moses, Jesus and Abraham. 🔴 Islam literally means ‘submission to God’ and it teaches us to have a direct relationship with God. 🔵 It reminds us that since God created us, no one should be worshipped except God alone. 🔴 It also teaches that God is nothing like a human being or like anything that we can imagine. 🌍 The concept of God is summarized in the Quran as: 📖 { “Say, He is God, the One. God, the Absolute. He does not give birth, nor was He born, and there is nothing like Him.”} (Quran 112:1-4)[4] 📚 🔴 Becoming a Muslim is not turning your back to Jesus. 🔵 Rather it’s going back to the original teachings of Jesus and obeying him.

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

@@1islam1 You're off subject here. And as soon as Yeshua hits this dimension at the speed of lightning, you're going to be fully assured of what commands are from Him.

[@VinceSamios]

MATE! I'm loving the design by balls process! I think you've got one of those eyes that knows what does and doesn't work. Absolutely mad love and respect for your process!

[@russellzauner]

I saw a machine in the shipping department that basically form fit fills boxes with foam to secure equipment shipping/returns when you don't have the original packaging for a large heavy expensive piece of bench gear - if you had forms you could fill them with a consistent density of foam and carve/trim only the edges making it really fast to prototype versions of equivalently solid/usable components. They might even have different grades of foam so you can get different materials/densities. Thanks for doing all this work and giving me all these ideas with stuff I've seen. Inspiration I guess is the word for that. :-) thanks for it!

[@abundantYOUniverse]

No, its not about vacuum bagging, its about the surface of the foam, and if you get the fiberglass wetted out enough. You can also scruff up the surface of the foam in that area with some 200 grit. If you want it strong, look at how we build full size foam airplanes, such as the Sky Pup and the Woodhopper, they use the exact same setup. Thanks.

[@electricaviationchannelvid7863]

Did you build Cozy too?

[@abundantYOUniverse]

@@electricaviationchannelvid7863 Many planes like the Cozy yes. KR2, Q2 Quickie, Goldwing Ultralight. I was referring mainly to the foam ribs with Fiberglass 2 inch tape on the caps. Also look at wood geodetic for your shear web, very inexpensive light and strong. Great project thanks!

[@ChimeraActual]

Where would I find those pics/vids?

[@abundantYOUniverse]

@@ChimeraActual Not sure which you mean, but you can type in Sky Pup construction, Fisher aircraft construction, geodetic airplane, etc. Thanks.

[@joeblow3939]

There is three kinds of spray foam. Windows & Doors minimal expansion, Cracks & Gaps little expansion, Triple Expansion. 👍👍

[@hondayamaha3]

Very excited for the finish product and first run

[@adambailey8295]

Honestly my hat tips to you sir....... absolutely amazing video, fantastic project, what I would give to be there.

[@SetitesTechAdventures]

Too Lazy Didn't Plan is the story of my life. Everytime I design a 3d print my lazy measuring and thought leads to one or two extra prototypes.

[@benroberts127]

I love this project, thank you for documenting this for us!

[@strawhatsam]

That takes a lot of dexterity holding the vacuum nozzle and Dremel at the same time :o

[@fonwoolridge]

What a great project! Im jealous! Good luck!

[@Project-Air]

Nice video man. I definitely relate to the balance of doing a good job on the build --- while trying to keep to a tight schedule to get a video out :)

[@thinkflight]

I know right? The struggle is real!

[@Horus2Osiris]

@@thinkflight Seven P's... Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance... Great channel; physical reality presents an ugly, steep learning curve... Best of luck with that!

[@davidunderwood1907]

I check KZbin religious LY for your uploads. Especially this build.that being said.,. Huge shows make you wait a year for a season. Don't rush. We all are going to watch regardless of when video released. I want to see this as bad anything else. I'm so inspired. Gavin is the shit

[@AerialWaviator]

Really appreciate details showing the process, building techniques being used, and the thought process (as it evolves). So much more more interesting than just seeing a final prototype vehicle. Prototyping, even with a plan (8:24) can require revisions. Can't say didn't have a plan, 8:59. ;) Doing so with an active audience overlooking is a full another level. Much respect. BTW: For towing, you planning on having a release mechanism (for rope) at the attachment point on the Ekranoplan? Mentioning as didn't see any structure on the fuselage nose for an attachment. For human glider flight, either end of towing rope can be released, providing redundancy should it ever be needed.

[@thinkflight]

Planning on a rope release like they use for trick skiers at the pylon, not on the GEV. Only have time for so many details, and I trust the boaters in my life, and with my life :). Plus I can always just jump off, I'm sure that will happen more than once. I'm in no way locked in like a hang glider etc.

[@stillraven9415]

Old school mold maker that back in the day never heard of vacuum bagging. We would use clamps and waxed strips to hold down the edges or cut out and redoing areas that pulled away. Not sure I would do vacuum bags now if I was still doing glasswork now. Seems a lot of extra work and time.

[@natebaird]

Respect on cutting all of this foam. I'm currently converting a 40' school bus into an RV and just cutting the insulation sheets to fit tightly for the floors has been challenging, at times.

[@kwaaaa]

Have you considered a simple hotwire to cut it? I don't do construction, but lots of model plane stuff, and it's very clean precise cuts (especially great when there's odd lines to follow)

[@natebaird]

@@kwaaaa great idea. ill try that for the walls and the ceiling

[@martindinner3621]

@@natebaird just make sure you have really good ventilation!

[@aerostaraircraftsanctuary604]

That's a cool idea. Can't wait to see it "flying"

[@andrewshedron425]

Use window and door foam instead. It doesn't expand as much and it doesn't have the force to push stuff out. Otherwise doors wouldn't open and windows would bust.

[@ChimeraActual]

To get a tight 90 degree wrap, round off the corners to the minimum bend diameter of the fibers, even if you vac. If you want to add structural strength as well as merely providing a surface it should be arranged 0-90. ************* If you need a square edge, after the resin cures you must then overfill the edge with something like Microlight and fair. In a pinch I've also cut the cloth over wide, cut darts where needed and adhesive taped the excess to the piece. Best use fast kick in that case. Expanding Urethane foam, especially if it's a structural member, therefore dense, needs to either be in a mold or be post shaped. If you're looking to save weight, adding internal gussets (bird cage), or external layers of cloth (monocoque), is much lighter than foam -- especially when it becomes water logged, which WILL happen. The Gorilla glue didn't blow up? I don't understand your wing tips. I had a longer comment that was removed, apparently due to a TED video URL that explained why a 0-90 layup was stiffer that 45-45. Well, sorry I thought it was an excellent explanation, and funny, too. Oh well.

[@nocknock4832]

I'm ready to see this finished

[@tylerseabook9423]

The old footage of the one hovering looks awesome

[@dnomyarnostaw]

You don't need vacuum to hold the tape down. Use Peel Ply, extending a few centimetres poast the edge of the tape. The wrinkles are caused by the curved, stiff f glass trying to straighten itself. The peel ply will force it into proper shape.

[@dwightbarnell4295]

Great stuff. Thank you for what you are doing

[@seankelly260]

Staples my friend... simple office staples

[@jakubzabocki6182]

i think getting som1 to make you wings saves you money time and makes it better

[@davidbakara5044]

Amazing work, sir!

[@clarencehopkins7832]

Excellent stuff bro

[@duelette]

Can't wait to see you fly it!

[@SeriousNick]

Amazing build! May I suggest using Smooth-on Foam It urethan expanding foam for that large cavity filled areas. Either way, now I want to build one lol. Great video!

[@BikingVikingHH]

I really think using high lift airfoils is a mistake when trying to build a true ground effect vehicle. The ground effect happens between the bottom of the wing and the ground. What you are building is just a plane that operates in ground effect, kind of the conundrum Test flight RC was talking about recently. A TRUE ground affect vehicle is essentially a ram air hover craft, all of these other designs are just very in efficient water planes that only function properly in a very specific and forgiving envelope.

[@BikingVikingHH]

Like that inner tube towable manta ray thing, that’s just a kite that can fly but works well in ground effect.

[@thomasaltruda]

Super cool, I wish I could fly it!! But I’m afraid about the lack of a real wing spar… do you plan to have a vertical fin for stability?

[@mp6756]

A very cool project I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the build and of course the maiden flight. I think it might be the kinda build you might have to revisit to have complete success if you find any weak points in the design. However you never really know until you try to fly it might fly perfectly right out of the box. Good luck on this very ambitious and very cool build.

[@thinkflight]

If it it successful 'enough' for a decent video I probably won't revisit, if its a fail I probably will just to recover some cred 😄

[@walterm9300]

I don't think you're small carbon plates aren't gonna do a whole lot . What you should have done is used a long piece Aluminum tubing in the and fuselage and then have another piece through the wings and attach point so basically making a slip socket using a bolt or even a pin and a coter key That used these a lot in remote control airplanes to make the wings detachable

[@firecloud77]

Seems to me the fuselage between the forward and aft wings is going to flex and twist like mad. I should be stiffened and strengthened as much as reasonably possible.

[@d4ro]

all the best with this babe

[@Vindolin]

What kind of PU foam did you use? We have a special type in Germany called "spreizdruckfrei" which is used for door frames and which doesn't push things apart when expanding.

[@ChimeraActual]

Does it expand? Or is it less dense?

[@Vindolin]

@@ChimeraActual Yes it expands, the last one I used gave 12l volume from a 400ml can. It's a two component foam which instantly expands and then hardens homogeneously. I think the problem with the other foam is that it needs water from the air and the parts that are exposed to air expand and harden first. When the encapsulated unhardened foam finally pulled enough water from the air to expand, there's no room to go and things start bulging.

[@ChimeraActual]

​@@Vindolin I see, It's hard to find two part expanding Urethane foam in the States, or it was when I working. Yes, that's how one part Urethane works, just needs water for a catalyst, but not much, takes a little longer to fully cure, but usually does in a few hours. I've used two part in boats in sealed molds to keep the cells closed, then it only absorbs water on the surface. although I know boatbuilders who just sprayed it into open spaces, eventually the boat doubles in weight. Usually two part is shot out of a mixer, and boy does it kick fast! The other thing is that your door and window frames are so much sturdier than ours! I think anything that expands at all would push out that leading edge cavity.

[@manjunathayr9348]

Happy building and See you next time too, TAKE CARE / Cheers :)

[@Kiromos]

Super cool build!

[@thinkflight]

Glad you think so!

[@zxggwrt]

Stick a long tail motor on it and fly around all day!

[@mrsmith4662]

What a daft thing - but I'm glad someone's giving it a go.

[@olsonspeed]

Damn, that is a lot of work, at some point I expect you will be making the craft self powered. We noted that our Kasperwing ultralight float planes with a wing/spray deck allowed for a very short takeoff runs. During takeoff air was trapped between the float hulls and deck assisting the aircraft lifting off the water, in-flight the airfoil of the spray deck offset the float weight. It proved to be a unique and effective solution for water operation and exceeded our expectations.

[@thinkflight]

I don't know if this one will ever be self powered, we'll see how the towing part goes. Was planning on a dedicated electric powered build much different than this next year.

[@ioannisbatas1614]

Superb !!!

[@EJ-74]

Very cool 👍

[@RubenKelevra]

I mean it may not fly, but it's properly insulated :)

[@AtimatikArmy]

Super cool. I want to make a powered version someday and I think your design is the right way to go, akin to the German designer Gunter (having trouble remembering his last name). like you, I want to make it as simple and as light as possible. I'm considering a predator 420cc engine from Harbor Freight as they are cost effective and perhaps a propellor from an ultralight.

[@thechumpsbeendumped.7797]

Wouldn’t several thin coats of spray foam work better for reinforcing the inside of the leading edges?

[@guygillmore2970]

Nice work! Perhaps turn the wing tips into stepped hulls like the main fuselage? You want a tiny amount of planing area here to correct roll without causing too much drag. I would suggest 50 sq inches would be optimum?

[@thinkflight]

It basically is a stepped wingtip, the CG is right near the TE of the front wing.

[@Leo99929]

I think you can spray water into the void first and the expanding foam hardens on contact, so that it doesn't burst the cavity? Never done it myself, but heard of the technique multiple times.

[@thinkflight]

It doesn't harden on contact, just goes a little faster. It didn't burst for hours, once the middle mass started curing.

[@chadissimusrex8038]

Maybe use some unidirectional glass fibres in some places if it needs to be stiffened up. UD glass is inexpensive. Also useful to use as a sort of "rope" to tie things down with and then epoxy in place, super strong.

[@WiKiTWoNKa]

Part 3 cannot come soon enough 😭🙏🏽💓

[@byronblanchard1354]

Sub'ed Awesome project.

[@alexanderledwith1780]

Amazing, I so want to be a part of a project like that.

[@tinolino58]

Relaxing video 😍

[@thinkflight]

Thank you 🤗

[@richardthomas1566]

My Prediction is This thing is going to end up like the Wiley Coyote Bat Wing.

[@jerrymcarthur2062]

I've been dreaming of making something like for a while! Looks very hard to transport!

[@thinkflight]

I have a friend :)

[@Anode1kv]

Super top 😀

[@elliotw5918]

Could've wrapped the fiberglass in cling wrap and then clamped some parts with wood outside of the epoxy? Idk just a though

[@thinkflight]

Wish I'd thought of that

[@elliotw5918]

@@thinkflight man, hindsight is a pain sometimes. Great job on the build though

[@theRavensdaleFoolycooly1]

You do not need to vacuum to do good quality hand laid fiberglass. Seal the foam, then apply a coat of resin underneath the glass you put down. Then wet out the glass. Moving from the middle out:)

[@thinkflight]

Thanks for the tips!

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

@@thinkflight . Laying the cloth flat to the surface will require a waxed paper covered board clamped in place over the bulges, or sometimes over all the work. Working center both ways, or L to R, or anything similar will only move the bulge and the more it moves to the bigger it grows. Push the cloth straight in, which pushes the strands closer together, and hold it in place until the epoxy cures.

[@machoman5356]

Only way to fly 👍

[@PeterJames143]

very cool, beautiful work. the lines on your project are so professional and clean. and the engineering looks so legit. it looks like you are a legit engineer? you might want to watch the youtube tests of different glues on foam. long story short gorilla glue does worse than several other kinds of glue in adhering foam in tests. no offense, just trying to help very cool project. this is from only 9 days ago, can't wait to see your progress. want to see you flying like the avatar guy haha on your homemade foam dragon :) i want to try some similar projects hopefully some day. good luck :)

[@thinkflight]

Not a legit engineer, and zero offense taken! Help away sir.

[@PeterJames143]

@@thinkflight If you do a search for "foam glue tests" you get hours of video to watch, but I have only watched two of the tests. One says Great Stuff is the best but you have to clamp it so your joint doesn't expand too much. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZLZZZWtrsyFZ6c. This one says "Foam Fusion" is the best kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zobdaoybms1_i5Y. I plan to go with Foam Fusion when I do anything. Okay looking forward to your work, good luck.

[@PeterJames143]

@@thinkflight thx

[@meareAaron]

would be cool if you had an rc version of this that could also manned

[@duaneayers6117]

I've been wanting to ask you this. Did you yourself come up with the design of your hovercraft. If so, it looks great & I'm sure it will work.

[@thinkflight]

Yes!

[@myorpain]

Saludos debería usar malla plástico para hacer mosquitero para reforzar el foam.

[@alargebeaver]

Cool!

[@AlenHR]

Man, I'm so excited about this project. I'm thinking of building some kind of marine vessel for years now. Would a combination of hydrofoils and airfoils work? Could you get superior stability with both hydrofoils and airfoils working together?

[@thinkflight]

It is difficult because the foils are dependent on ground/water speed and the wings are dependent on airspeed. The relationship is usually changing constantly.

[@martindinner3621]

Absolutely. The existing examples are sailing hydrofoils.

[@maartentoors]

From mind - to form - to scaled-prototype - to actual scale.. This will float on the ground-effect like Butter. Can't wait for the maiden flight. You and 'rctestflight' are awesome, could you use the 'lidar ground detection' on this build?

[@thinkflight]

No control surfaces on this one, all weight shift control so lidar wouldn't help here.

[@maartentoors]

@@thinkflight

[@MrWeusi]

Nice Thumbnail!

[@ericyeoman2687]

Hi, always round off your edges a little. I use 6oz. glass & it always sticks. cheers.

[@thinkflight]

Yeah I think that is the trick

[@phil1fox]

You should have wing spars

[@shoublank2346]

Love the video and am excited about your progress! Can I send you a picture of the unfinished aircat 2.5 I've had in my rafters for the last 8yr-10yrs Was going to use a weed wacker motor but always wanted electric and 8 yrs later it doesn't need a 2nd mortgage :^) My grampa worked at Convair (PBY) then went to Lockeed (Sea Dart) so it's in the blood.

[@thinkflight]

Sure!

[@shoublank2346]

@@thinkflight sorry not a real power user where do I send a photo or two?

[@thinkflight]

@@shoublank2346 check About section

[@PeterJames143]

how did you get the angle? The angle of those wings looks pretty legit?

[@thinkflight]

XFLR5

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

3: 53, You might be a builder if, instead of framed photos of scenery or sunsets, your shop has framed aluminum tread plate.

[@99bx99]

Laying bidirectional fiberglass around sharp edges without a vacuum bag works better if you cut it + - 45 degrees instead of with the weave. Better yet use Rutan glass RA 7725 (Aircraft Spruce) that was woven for that purpose. I've built two Long EZ airplanes using it. Cutting carbon plates goes lots faster using a table saw.

[@thinkflight]

Yeah, just didn't think I'd get the buckling strength with with 45deg bias. Live and learn. Although not sure how much I'm learning, I already know how to do it the correct way :).

[@99bx99]

@@thinkflight 90% of layups on a Long EZ are + - 45 degrees mostly with unidirectional E glass. They're about twice as strong as certified airplanes and nobody has EVER broken one. I do aerobatics in mine all the time.

[@thinkflight]

@@99bx99 what parts are NOT 45deg fibers?

[@99bx99]

@@thinkflight Mostly the interior (cockpit). Wings, canard, and fuselage are + - 45 degree unidirectional E glass with the exception of one layer on the bottoms of the wings at 90 degrees. That layer doesn't extend all the way back to where the ailerons are cut out to make the ailerons easier to balance. The 4" wide wing spar caps are uni at 90 degrees.

[@jeffnpatricia]

I’ve seen some real quality issues with 3m products the last couple of years. I wonder if this didn’t play a small roll with your issues.

[@andriyosipov6519]

Man that's unbelievable cool project. Waiting for the next video! May be i'm too fast, but. Are you going to sell this project in the future, or share for free?

[@thinkflight]

No plans to sell etc, sharing would probably open me to liability if I distribute plans.

[@andriyosipov6519]

@@thinkflight yes, of course, there is such a nuance. But you can always use phrases like "not for practical use" and "the author is not responsible for the consequences", or something like that ;) This can benefit the project, as many followers can improve or upgrade the design

[@blubhumm]

👍 Cool

[@rickyrodriguez5744]

I wonder how $ much he has into this build? Plus, I wonder how fast he will have to go to achieve lift?

[@thinkflight]

Me too

[@jacobdavidcunningham1440]

Wonder if you steer it fly by wire/ride it like a snowboard

[@thinkflight]

Like a scooter

[@jacobdavidcunningham1440]

@@thinkflight was thinking like a boosted board, have one of those wireless controllers... it would be hard to calibrate it against the horizon/pitch actually probably better to have it wired so it's not easy to lose it in the water. it could be operated by a rod on the back like one of those boats where you steer the entire engine with a long rod anyway will be curious to see what you end up going with

[@grahamtaylor3580]

Would really like to know what glue you use.

[@thinkflight]

Gorilla Glue and epoxy

[@thenatedog]

What are you using for a vacuum pump setup?

[@thinkflight]

APC tabletop bag setup. Gonna have to upgrade soon for where this channel is going.

[@thenatedog]

@@thinkflight yeah I'm on my second DIY setup right now. I have a medical suction pump I'm using but it doesn't like running for all day. . Even with a negative pressure on off switch, it gets pretty hot after I've fans kind of blowing on it.

[@HowIWetYoMother]

FINALLY 😂

[@solexxx8588]

It's a bad design. Doped cloth on a wood or aluminum frame is required for strength. The two wing design stall the trailing wing and lowers the height of the air cushion.

[@unclegeorge7845]

Why don't you use moisture with the Gorilla glue?

[@thinkflight]

The spray bottle used is water, everything got activated!

[@young_fella]

for the thumbnail, its a cool pic, but you were really small in the frame, so I couldnt tell what I was looking at until I looked at it carefully.

[@thinkflight]

Let me try something....

[@nonsequitor]

"cutting corners to get content out".. Generates content... 😉😂 Many channels are purely that mate 🥳.... At least your work is fascinating 👌✌️

[@thinkflight]

Its a very meta concept.... lol

[@chetmyers7041]

E-poxy or epoxy?

[@hadleymanmusic]

Look up kenneth rand and his KR 1. Your close to how he builds.

[@thinkflight]

Beautiful plane!

[@OnerousEthic]

OK! Where is part three? It has been almost 3 months already!

[@thinkflight]

Posted to the channel friend!

[@OnerousEthic]

@@thinkflight Ah! It didn’t show up for me because I already saw it! Great! So where is part four? It’s been two months! I want to see that thing fly and it was already in condition to fly two months ago! Please! It’s very cool! Thank you!

[@clydecox2108]

I find it interesting that you have failed to plan. I mean we're all going to die at some point, and it might as well be interesting right? cheers brother.

[@thinkflight]

I know right?

[@grumpyjohntxredneckrc6346]

Very C@@L !!! Thanks

[@shop970]

Where's the working prototype?

[@thinkflight]

This is it...

[@123cp8]

Eee-poxy 🤣🤣

[@gscorp9156]

Ты куда улететь собрался, жена в курсе?

[@Robot_Child_Productions]

2nd, thinkflight i havent watched it yet but its probs amazing

[@rsrguy]

Splates would work best

[@rsrguy]

Don't think you needed a step

[@robertbrander2074]

That looks like the most Dangerous "Toy" ever ! ... Falling off that would be like being Run over by a boat ! ... Inflatable toys are Soft and Light ... Your toy is Hard with hard edges ! ... Maybe its for a test pilot ... but ... Not for Kids !

[@TinyHouseHomestead]

TOWED! no, No, NOOOoooo, ..... contact Peter Sripol to add an electric motor to it! 😱😁🙃🤪🤣👍✌

[@thinkflight]

Planning on a dedicated electric version much different than this one next year. This one may or may not get electrified, we'll see how the towing goes.

[@TinyHouseHomestead]

@@thinkflight Dooooo it! DO IT NOWWWWW! 😱😁🙃🤪🤣👍✌

[@ElonHusky]

I thought it's a old Soviet plane

[@russellzauner]

what to do with all the leftover stuff from your man cave remodel

[@michaelwhinnery164]

No regerts

[@thinkflight]

none