Float Kits !
Murphy is pleased to announce that we are offering our 1500 and 1800 series float kits for your plane. We have kits for both straight and amphibious operations. Of course, when you add floats you also increase your gross-weight allowance by 5%.
To enhance the utility of your Rebel or Elite and enable you the access to those hidden lakes in the back country, Murphy Aircraft has designed a series of all aluminum straight and amphibious float kits. Currently, Murphy Aircraft is manufacturing two weight category of floats, the 1500 and 1800 pound displacement. The 1500 series, straight and amphibious models are excellent for our light weight Rebel and can easily be fitted on many of the popular kit planes in this weight range. The 1800 series were designed for the higher gross Rebel and Elite and are also adaptable to a number of popular kit planes.
Murphy floats, like our aircraft, require no jigs to assemble, just lay them out on a level working table and the self aligning pilot holes will set you on the right path. They are constructed from 6061-T6 aluminum which has excellent corrosion resistant properties and is easy to work. When you open the crate, you will find you have everything to complete your floats (less tools). All Murphy floats feature twin water rudders, spreader bars and connecting struts.
Each float is comprised of eight watertight compartments with easy access through 6" spin-on caps. Side and top deck plates are pre-punched providing for the location of the 11 main bulkheads, 7 false and 3 short putting you on the fast track for completion. Final forming of the bulkheads are required but Murphy even supplies a metal shrinker/stretcher in each kit and a complete tool kit is also available. The floats are assembled using a "tank" (self sealing) rivet which is a blind rivet only requiring a hand or pneumatic rivet gun. This allows you to work alone and probably will save you some expense by not messing with that bucking bar!
Amphibious floats offer the widest range of possibilities for turning weekends into splashdown adventures. Wheels on the amphibious models are retracted by four independent hydraulic cylinders by using a simple hand pump located within easy reach to the pilot.
Both Murphy amphibious floats incorporate a Cleveland 5" main wheels and brakes with low profile tires and 8" free castering nose wheels. Steering is accomplished through differential braking allowing the floats to quickly pivot. Lowering the wheels requires approximately 18 - 20 strokes of the hand pump. The main gear is locked into position by the linkage simply over centering and the nose gear cambers to the rear and is held in place by hydraulic pressure. Suspension is provided by compression washers on the main gear leg and by a semi-flexible front gear arm.
Instructions are well laid out in a step by step instruction manual with detailed exploded views. Assembly times will vary for each individual and times will range from 250 - 500 hours depending on the size and type of float being assembled.
 |
1500 Series | 1500 Amphib | 1800 Series | 1800 Amphib |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement (lbs) | 1,500 | 1,450 | 1,800 | 1,750 |
| Deck Width | 8.75" | 8.75" | 8.75" | 8.75" |
| Overall Length | 167" | 167" | 188" | 188" |
| Single float Weight (lbs.) | 85 | 109 | 88 | 112 |
| Water Rudders | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Float Stance | 95" | 95" | 95" | 95" |
| Net Weight Increase (lbs) | 143 | 200 | 200 | 224 |