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Aviation History
1965
1965 - 0108.PDF
68 FLIGHT International, 14 January The world's most expensive canoe ? LAKE LA-4 AMPHIBIAN... intermediate weights and e.g. locations. A full-power overshoot is controllable with only a moderate push on the wheel. The hydraulic trimmers, slow acting to permit very fine and precise setting, are sometimes annoyingly slow—a small penalty to pay for their big advantage. After the Lake was posed for air-to-air photographs in formation with the Baron, and familiarizing myself with the amphibian operating off land, the call of the loughs could be resisted no longer. Our first stop was steep-sided Lough Derravaragh in West County Meath, where Lord Headfort presented the craft in fine style to photographer Mike Barnes (afloat in a launch, expertly handled by Lady Headfort) with the splendid results seen on these pages. It was here that the Lake's speedboat capabilities came to advantage. On the step at 50 m.p.h. the aircraft was slammed into scorching wave-skipping turns and within minutes we had made countless passes at the launch without even leaving the water. Hydroplaning fans would know the score—but in the Lake you don't get wet and can always pop into the air if a submerged log heaves into sight. Those tip floats are tough. A favourite trick we didn't have time to try was circular take-offs; in this way the normal straight-line run of about 1,200ft can be coiled into a circle of about the same diameter as required for a straight-line landing (700ft), provided, of course, there is not too much wind or wave. We had no reason to doubt that it could be done! This beautifully peaceful and popular fishing lough also emphasized the Lake in her idyllic moments at rest in the reeds or being paddled like a canoe—it's easy over the low sides. One cannot imagine a better vehicle for sporting trips to the lochs of these islands, the fjords of Scandinavia, or the harbours, bays and beaches of the Mediterranean. She makes less noise than most powerboats, and incidentally, does not foul the water. Operating from water is not difficult it merely requires care of a different sort—handling boats is an excellent pre-seaplane exercise. So apart from knowing how to turn wind, tide, and current to advantage, amphibianmanship is mainly the art of selecting safe water free of submerged logs and rocks, deep enough, and not too rough. The makers say the Lake has been tested satisfactorily in 6in waves but this is obviously well within the boat's capabilities. After a 2hr session of circuits and splashes on Lough Ramor, the writer was landing in 18in waves which had built up deceptively. Meanwhile, unbeknown, the instructor (Lord Headfort) and Mike Barnes were being practically tipped out of their narrow rowing boat. I wasn't even using the rough-weather, stall-landing technique, but step landings (akin to wheelers on a tailwheel aircraft) normally reserved for smooth water. Lord Headfort has landed the amphibian successfully in quite big and longer waves in the exposed mouth of the Shannon river, using the stall-on technique. Coming astern the aforementioned rowing boat to pick up Lord Headfort was the start of a minor mishap, distressing at the time but amusing in retrospect. Lowering the undercarriage is a recognized means of slowing right down when taxying on water if you don't want to stop the engine—and we didn't want to. What actually happened is not certain, but it seems likely that the starboard nosewheel door caught the boat's transom and twisted the hinges On subsequent beaching it was found that the steel door had been pulled up higher than usual on retraction in the water and the corner of it had ripped an arc in the internal light-alloy bulkhead. After two unsuccessful attempts to get her on the step for take-off, water appeared above floor level. We made rapidly for the shore, firing soaking-wet red Very cartridges and baling furiously at loch water stained blue with shark-repellant from the submerged life jackets. The internal water level soon stopped rising, thanks to the multi-compartment hull and tip floats. Once hauled ashore on her wheels it was a quick matter of Pop-riveting on a patch, straight- ening the hinges, draining all compartments, and she was ready for launching. Vital actions prior to a water take-off are the same as from land except for the following: make doubly certain carburettor air control is set to cold (preferably leave this to the last moment before opening up for the ran because it should be left on hot after landing and for taxying); raise the water rudder, used only for manoeuvring off the step; pitot heat "on" to dry out the sensor. To take-off, head into wind and waves, open up to full power, pull hard back on the con- trol wheel; and then, as the boat begins to move and rise, ease forward and she invariably rolls nicely on to the step. Keep straight and the wings level so that the tip floats don't touch the water (both actions are easy as the controls bite early). Again, as on land, keep her in contact until 60 m.p.h. for the shortest run and cleanest unstick. Any tendency to porpoise can be checked by gently easing back on the wheel, then forward again when it stops. In the correct step attitude the pattering of the waves feels just under one's feet; nose too high and the sensation is under your seat; too far forward and there's a hollow slapping on the nosewheel doors. Downwind for a water landing pilots are recommended to repeat "This is a water landing, the undercarriage is up." Other checks are as for a normal landing except for selecting full nose-up trim—a precaution with all seaplanes (to help guard against accidental diving-in) and necessitating a strong push on the control wheel. Flaring out and touching down on the step is a graceful and satisfying manoeuvre—in smooth water! The rough-water technique is to flare out a few feet above the wave tops with power on and the stall warning horn just blowing, then cutting the power and allowing the aircraft to flop into the water. Is there really much more one can say other than that here is an aircraft, thoroughly practical, combining the ultimate thrills of numerous sports? There is also a work-a-day side, but for pure escapism it is supreme and there is no equal at the price. On land or water the Lake's broad feet give her remarkable stability
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