Brand New Z-50 EPP

[me_wantee]

It's a good day!
I just went and picked up my Brand new MS Composit Z-50 fresh off the boat from Zdenek at Euromodels (http://www.euromodels.com.au/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=681).

It's a 3D EPP, Big control surfaces and from my previous experience with EPP, should be durable enough to allow me to get some more moves closer to the ground.

I'm gonna start putting her together this afternoon. I though a build log might be relevant as this is such a new plane.

The website pics don't do it justice, I'll have some nice pics to post later when I take it out of the pack.

Mick :D

[me_wantee]

Ok, Ive had a good few hours on it and it went well. I'm a big Zlin fan so I cant wait to get this puppy in the air.

The kit was nice and complete and everything was still in one piece.
Quality was good, hardware was sturdy and the manual, although not really detailed had enough info for anyone who has built 2 or 3 foamys to work from.

First the wing halves were glued with 5 mins epoxy and holes for servos were cut in the fuse while the glue dried.

The next step was interesting to me because I had never seen anything like it before.
In the kit was a long piece of string which was to be used to run as a stringer through the wings and the fuse. I considered running carbon through as per usual but decided to go with the manual.

I cut 2mm slots into the EPP on the top and bottom of the wings and down both sides of the fuse.

I was going to CA the string in, but decided to mix the string with some 5 mins epoxy and pushed the glue covered string into the slots.
It worked a treat and was very neat. The epoxy also glued the slots back together too, which coudn't hurt.
Running the 4 stringers took under 45 mins and the result was a nice clean, suprisingly stiff wing and fuse. (as stiff as if I had used carbon rods)

Next I cut, joined, sanded at 45 degrees and taped the depron elevator, cut sanded and taped the rudder, fixed the stab and elevator to the fuse and glued on the rudder and verticle stab.

The Zlin is now ready to install the radio gear after around 3 Hours work, prob less for an organised builder. (I spent 10 mins looking for my craft knife more than once)

I'll try to finish her over the next few days and will hopefully have her flying at the weekend.

[Sim69]

That looks great! I've been looking at these on the Euromodels web site, Should fly good with that full aerofoil wing as opposed to most flat plate foamies. What power system are you going to use?

P.S That Zdenek is a great bloke to do business with, very efficient reliable service. Highly recommended.

[me_wantee]

I Know for a fact the airfioled wings fly better than flat foam ones, high alpha stuff is much more solid.

As for power, I'm thinking -

AXI 2212/34 EVP GOLD LINE
I use one on a model of similar weight and it hovers at just under half throttle.
I love my models overpowered to punch out of the trouble I always get into :)

Jeti Advanced Plus 12 e.s.c (always been really good for me) and 3cell Li-Po The same setup on my Yak flew hard for for 25 mins, or off and on, hard and slow for up to 45 mins.

E-flight servos, one per wing cos the airlorons are huge., e-flight servos for rudder and elevator.

10 x 6 Prop to start with and take it from there. Hopefully that will be enough to pull her skywards!! and not quite enough to pull the wings off. :D I like em like that!

Im confident in the materials and build strength ( I did replace CA for Epoxy in most cases, I do tend to build on the tougher side) will be enough to stand up to the beating this plane has instore for it. If my MS Composit flying wing (swift) is anything to go by, its been crashed so many times its more glue than foam. I use it as a trainer for my mate. It just bounces. Gotta love EPP.

[me_wantee]

I forgot the all important - what's in the kit pic.

[me_wantee]

How's this weather in Sydney?

Not much time for building today, but I did get a bit done.
I was a little unsure about the tips of the ailerons nearest the fuse. They were quite flimsy so I dug out a channel and glued some carbon in there to stiffen them up.

I also posted a pic of a setup I think would suit. Any thoughts?

[Curare]

Where's the rest of the fuselage?

It's missing!!!

[me_wantee]

yeah, couldn't find it in the kit??? or the manual??
I don't know WHAT those guys were thinking. :D

[me_wantee]

Had another 2 hours on the Zlin today and it's going great.
I came across a few points of note today which may come in handy for the next person who builds one.

I decided I wanted to hide the electronics as much as possible, esp. when the plane was on the ground. I did not want to compromise any structural strength so I took a hot soldering iron and made a channel down the middle of the underside of the fuse.
I melted a hole near the tail and fed the rudder and elevator servo wires through and out of the bottom. I used a couple of extensions to get me to the larger hole just behind the wings which will house the receiver.
I am using a 4 channel receiver, so I have used a Y-lead for the ailerons. I cut the bulky connectors off and soldered the wires directly.

I decided not to use the stock elevator horn. all 4 horns which come in the pack are in 2 parts and need to be glued together. They are all the same size. I used a spare horn I found which has a smaller footprint. The stock one would be fine, but you would have to put it at an angle.

1 more point to note was if you take a pair of pliers and bend the wire top of the landing gear slightly, It fits much better in its housing.

Looks like I'm on target to get her into the air tomorrow, but with these winds................ :confused:

[me_wantee]

Ok, had another hour on the Zlin today and now she's done.

I neatened up the servo wires and fixed them into the fuse.

I installed the pushrods and then set up the radio.
The pushrods included in the kit were about a foot long. I'm assuming MS Composit have a couple of kits they use the same pushrod set for.
I used some of the extra sleeving to cap the pushrods and run the antenna through.

I'm by no means a great builder and I would welcome comments on anything I could have done better.

At full throttle, the motor has more then enough guts for unlimited verticle performance and I'm anticipating just over half throttle hovers.

The only thing stopping her flying is the weather. lets hope it clears up soon.
When It does, I'll get some shots of her in flight and a video too.

For anyone who's interested in EPP models like this one, Zdenick at Euromodels (www.euromodels.com.au) has some more brand new EPP models in stock.
He has another 3D model called the Unique and some warbirds.
Iv'e seen the mustang and the meschersmitt they look like heaps of fun for those of you who like combat or faster park flyers.

[me_wantee]

She's been maidened.

The wind eased up in Sydney for a hour late today, (still gusting to about 10 knots)
I was driving home from work at 6.30 tonight and the fllodlights were on at my local oval. I couldnt resist so I jumped out of the car and fired it up.
CG was too far back, so the battery was moved to forward of the LG which improved the flight characteristics greatly.
Only had 5 mins, did a few loops, a few rolls a couple of stall turns, a few hovers (too windy for good ones) and a few landings.
Unlimited verticle no problems with the Axi, just under 3/4 throttle hovers.
Hopefully the wind will have eased in the morning, I will take her for a proper rip then.
I know a maiden under floodlights in gusty conditions is dumb, but I just had to give her a run. :D

[me_wantee]

WOW.
I just had my first still air flight with this plane and I am REALLY impressed.
I pulled all the gear out of one of my favorite planes to put in the Zlin and I'm glad I did.
I have flown it over the last few days in windy conditions and can say it handles the wind well, but cut this baby loose in still air and it's magic.
The thing flies like its on rails. Knife edge is a breeze, with just a tiny rudder input, snap rolls are fast and clean, slow rolls are very easy to make axial with small corrections.
Inverted flight is almost hands off. Spins are predictable and recovery is easy.
Inverted flat spins are docile and elegant with a very slow rate of descent.
She can be flown slowly with ease and harriers are solid. I can say this plane would be a great 3D trainer. It gives you so much confidence.
It looks great in flight and is easy to land.
I'm stoked with my Zlin-50. (http://www.euromodels.com.au/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=681)Now c'mon battery, hurry up and charge. I wanna go again!!!