In March, taxi tests and short take offs were made with the all fiberglass and graphite Gweduck seaplane which was designed originally by Ben Ellison and a team of others. Martin Hollmann designed all of the composite structure 14 years ago. He performed the stress analysis and flutter analysis. He also performed all the material strength tests. Hollmann's drawings were copied into cad drawings as shown below. However some changes were made. Ellison called Hollmann to come to Washington to see the problems. The vertical stabilizer was loose and the lower hull had cracks. Hollmann looked into the tail and the bulkheads were missing. Just in front of the step, other bulkheads were missing. Hollmann told Ellison that he had put them into the drawing for a reason. Later Ellison asked Hollmann why he had not recommended to perform a flutter analysis earlier. So Hollmann performed the flutter analysis about 2 years ago. Hollmann found the letter which he had sent Ellison asking that a flutter analysis be performed 10 years ago. Better late than never. The bulkheads were added and the aircraft is now structurally sound.

The amphibian carries 6 people and has a gross weight of 6,000 lbs. Empty weight is 4,000 lbs. Aircraft was built and is flown by Ben Ellison of Ellison Fluid Systems in Bellevue, Washington. For more info see: Gweduck: Home Page. Ellison's CAD drawing below does not show that bulkheads that were in Hollmann's drawing.