Originally Posted by jamiep

Can someone please tell me the CG on the zephyr
thanks

75-80mm, as measured from LE of wing (plane upside down)

Maidened my Zephyr this weekend. Went with the 3s 4000mah 25c Zippy compacts as people have suggested in the thread. No real fitment issues, no foam needed trimming. Cruising around and with some wide open climbs and I can get 10+ minutes per flight coming down with 3.8v in the cells. Could easily get 15+ minutes with some throttle constraint.

Overall very happy with it, the noise alone is worth it. Everybody at the field and even bystanders walking by were turning their heads.

My only complaint is the lack of vertical power, but nothing I can't work around.

And just because I always check power levels on new planes, my wattmeter was showing roughly 41amps and 450watts wide open.

Got some more flights in this weekend.

Was able to get a 29 minute flight out of 4000mah. Batteries had 3.65v per cell when done. 5 or 6 climbs to 350 feet or so, then cruising at 1/4 throttle over some minor thermals for 4-6 minutes per decent.

Originally Posted by nofreee

Got some more flights in this weekend.

Was able to get a 29 minute flight out of 4000mah. Batteries had 3.65v per cell when done. 5 or 6 climbs to 350 feet or so, then cruising at 1/4 throttle over some minor thermals for 4-6 minutes per decent.

This is, of course, marketed as an EDF "sailplane", so if you fly it like a sailplane, then you can get unlimited flight time, depending on how good you are at finding the right wind and thermals. It's not a great sailplane but it is still a sailplane.

Still got my 6s setup on the bench waiting...sigh. My helis have been taking up too much time.

Originally Posted by dcame002

Still got my 6s setup on the bench waiting...sigh. My helis have been taking up too much time.

What did you do to the wings to keep them from flapping to death?

Converted to an ornithopter?

Originally Posted by xviper

Converted to an ornithopter?

Good one hahahaa!

The wings are wrapped in 5 mil 'new stuff' and I have carbon rods in the aileron to prevent the blowback. I want to say I did more, but I can't remember- the plane has been collecting dust for about two months. I have two "unconventional" 450's that have been taking up my time

Originally Posted by dcame002

Good one hahahaa!

The wings are wrapped in 5 mil 'new stuff' and I have carbon rods in the aileron to prevent the blowback. I want to say I did more, but I can't remember- the plane has been collecting dust for about two months. I have two "unconventional" 450's that have been taking up my time

Keep us posted. I'm very easily influenced to follow suit by a success.

Here's a few pics of my Zephyr with the 3S 4000mah to share, it's tight but totally doable and no lead needed for CG.







The Velcro strap is epoxy-glued to the bottom. I lost my battery when flying inverted from 50 feet up, that's how the nose got banged. The canopy magnets are too weak to hold it so I glued in the strap and no more issues.

I don't want to fall out of my shoes, and if I glue my feet in and can't change and know what day of the week it is??? :-) Nicely Done, thanks for the pics....

I lost my canopy mid flight after a quick up-down porpoise. Since then I've been putting a rubber band or two around the canopy and it stays nice and secure.

Finally spare parts for the Zephyr are in stock. There are very limited numbers, but if you need a new Fuse --- or whatever -- they finally got them.

It may have been days ago -- and I just noticed now.

Still no canopy available....looks like you need to buy a $38 fuse to get a $5 canopy. If anybody needs a fuse and doesn't need the canopy I'd be willing to split the cost and take the canopy. PM me if interested

Originally Posted by supertoyz

Still no canopy available....looks like you need to buy a $38 fuse to get a $5 canopy. If anybody needs a fuse and doesn't need the canopy I'd be willing to split the cost and take the canopy. PM me if interested

Where are you located, as I destroyed my Zephyr and was thinking of purchasing a new body, wings & tail since they become available.

I'm in IL USA