Flyzone Tidewater RTF
Two nylon bolts hold the motor pylon in place. Two front pins and one nylon bolt
hold the wing to the fuselage.
Tip float struts plug into pockets in the bottom of the wing. Aileron servos come
installed and centered.
UNIQUE FEATURES
;e Tidewater is available in a ready-to-fly
(RTF) version, which comes complete with
a Tactic 4-channel transmitter, a 2.4GHz
receiver, a 11.1V (3-cell) 2200mAh 30C LiPo
flight battery, charger, and AA batteries for
the transmitter. ;e model is also available
as a transmitter-ready (TX-R Prime) version
that you would supply your own 4-channel-
compatible transmitter, flight battery, and
charger. For most brands of radios, you’ll be able
to use the Tactic AnyLink module to connect
your transmitter to the included Tactic TR624
receiver. ;e TX-R version does include the
receiver and speed control, and all servos are
installed.
;e Tidewater’s molded AeroCell foam
parts include the fuselage, motor pylon, wing,
stabilizer, and tip floats, which all have a
beautiful, smooth satin finish. A tough vacuum-formed skin covers the bottom from the step to
the nose. ;e airplane markings and graphics
are some of the thinnest I’ve ever seen, and
they too have the same satin surface as the
;e overall performance of the Tidewater
is very good. It handles well on the water.
On calm water, you can run it around like a speed boat all day if you
care to. I can’t say how it is on rough water. To make our lake rough,
it would have to be windier than I would care to fly in. It does attract
a lot of attention when flown lakeside.
In the Air
GENERAL FLIGH T PERFORMANCE Stability: On the water, the tip floats do a good job laterally. ;e hull does have a tendency to porpoise at a certain speed and elevator position. It is not a big problem, just add a little up-elevator to get it o; the peak of the step and it’s fine. In the air, it is a stable flyer. ;e high thrust line causes surprisingly little pitch change with throttle setting changes. It’s not enough to be a problem, but a throttle-to- elevator mix would help.
Tracking: Other than the previously mentioned slight pitch change
with throttle changes, the tracking is perfect. Once roll and yaw is
set, it’s good through the whole speed range. Molded wings and
tails are very true with no twists or warps to cause trim changes at
di;erent speeds.
Aerobatics: ;e Tidewater is capable of just about any
maneuver a sport aerobatic model can perform. Enough power
is available to do descent loops and other climbing maneuvers.
;e ailerons are powerful and at high rates, roll response is
brisk. It will do nice stall turns, wing-overs, and can even fly
inverted. I think it would satisfy any sport aerobatic pilot.
Stall and glide performance: ;e Tidewater is not a glider. If
for some reason power is lost, keep the nose down, the speed
up, and don’t try to stretch the approach. Stall recovery is very
good and pretty much straight ahead. When landing, reduce
the power for a gentle descent and as you approach the water,
reduce the power further while holding the nose up for a
realistic touchdown. It will fly under control at a fairly high angle
of attack. If you land too fast, unless contact is perfect, it will
almost always do a few skips. Touch-and-gos are also great fun.
