The two forward floats are spaced eight inches apart and are of the stepped type, the step being 3¹⁄₂″ from the front and has a depth of ¹⁄₈″. These two floats are separated by two bamboo strips as shown in thediagram, which are tied to the rounded portion of the under carriage by small rubber bands. By the sliding of these strips back and forth the necessary angle of the floats may be obtained to suit conditions. The floats are built up with two thin pieces of white pine for sides, separated by small pieces of wood about one-half the size of a match in cross section. Chiffon veiling which is used for the covering of the wings, is also used for the covering of the floats, after which it is covered with a special preparation to render both the wings and the floats air and water-tight.
The two ten-inch propellers with which the model is fitted have a theoretical pitch of twelve and one-half inches. The propellers are carved from blanks one-half inch thick, the blades of the completed propellers having a maximum width of one inch at a radius of three inches. The propeller shafts are made from No. 16 piano wire and have small washers for bearings. Each propeller is driven by three strands of ¹⁄₄″ strip elastic. The rubberis given 1700 to 1750 turns and revolves the propellers at 1150–1200 r.p.m., when the model is in flight.
The model usually runs over the surface of the water for a distance of from two to three feet before it rises, after which it climbs at a very steep angle to the necessary altitude. The model seems, when in flight, to be slightly overpowered but this is misleading. The rubbers usually unwind in from 85 to 90 seconds. On four out of six flights this model has made a duration of between 98 and 100 seconds which is rather unusual for a model of this type.