Thanks Stratigio.
Red looks great and it is good to see at a distance against a bright sky. Coverite Microlite is very light, strong and looks very neat. You do have to be very gentle and careful once you peel the backing off because it likes to self stick and it is tricky to un stick it. It is OK once you get the hang of it.

Ricardo

You forgot to mention how easily it can be punctured with almost every sharp edge. I have some stocked from previous builds and most of it is red, so the decision has been made.

I haven't had that experience yet Stratigio. It looks quite tough when tightened though...

The Zephyr looks great. I have no issue with your changes. Once you buy the kit you are free to do as you wish. It looks beautiful and should fly well too. Have fun with it.

Mark

Thanks Mark!

Finally I maidened the Zephyr II. I went alone so unfortunately no photos. The soccer field I chose was being springled so I had to use a smaller grassy patch nearby, near the beach (therefore no thermals). There was a light breeze from the sea. A light toss into the wind to check showed it glided straight and level and on for miles... well, not really but you get the idea. No trims were necessary! Next throw was harder and it gained altitude and I managed to guide it around a circle and catch it at the end (I have practiced with a Radian). So I kept throwing harder each time and, despite no thermals, the circles became larger and flights seemed to be longer. Sometimes I caught it and sometimes it would land gracefully. Sometimes I even managed to make two full circles. I never launched it as hard as I could for fear I would brake something (both in the plane and in myself), but I guess I will overcome that eventually. I had about half an hour of great fun and enjoyment. Mark is so right, it is a lot of fun.
Now everything hurts, my right arm, right shoulder, right side, back, left hip, etc., but there is a grin in my face...

Originally Posted by Peruvian

Finally I maidened the Zephyr II. Mark is so right, it is a lot of fun.
Now everything hurts, my right arm, right shoulder, right side, back, left hip, etc., but there is a grin in my face...

Richardo:

Congratulations on the successful maiden of your very nice looking Zephyr II.

If your beach has some small walls near by, maybe you could ridge soar the little bird. It doesn't take much lift to make her soar.

Craig

Originally Posted by craigrrr

Richardo:

Congratulations on the successful maiden of your very nice looking Zephyr II.

If your beach has some small walls near by, maybe you could ridge soar the little bird. It doesn't take much lift to make her soar.

Craig

Thanks Craig.
What a good idea! Actually there is a wall, about 3m. high, surrounding the whole place. The wall, facing the beach where I fly, is about 100m. long. The thing is , do I have to fly in front of the wall (towards the beach), or will there be lift also behind the wall so I can allways turn back and land if I loose altitude, because if the plane falls towards the beach I will have problems retrieving it. The gate is always closed and there is a road that runs parallel to the wall. It would take ages to go around the premises and out to the beach or to get the gate opened.
Now I am all worked up thinking about the wall. I will have to go and have a look.

Ricardo

Originally Posted by craigrrr

If your beach has some small walls near by, maybe you could ridge soar the little bird. It doesn't take much lift to make her soar.

pics, please!

Originally Posted by Peruvian

Thanks Craig.
What a good idea! Actually there is a wall, about 3m. high, surrounding the whole place. The wall, facing the beach where I fly, is about 100m. long. The thing is , do I have to fly in front of the wall (towards the beach), or will there be lift also behind the wall so I can allways turn back and land if I loose altitude, because if the plane falls towards the beach I will have problems retrieving it. The gate is always closed and there is a road that runs parallel to the wall. It would take ages to go around the premises and out to the beach or to get the gate opened.
Now I am all worked up thinking about the wall. I will have to go and have a look.

Ricardo

Hi, Ricardo:

Yes, the lift will only exist in front of the wall (toward the beach). Just behind the wall it will be neutral, further back from the wall it will quickly turn to sink.

It may not be a good idea to fly there if you lack access to the beach side of the wall. Retreival there is very likely from time to time.

Craig

See Post #24 for pics

Originally Posted by Mark Miller

See Post #24 for pics

Sorry.

I meant to say, if he flies it on a small ridge/wall/roof, he should take some pics.

Finished my Zephyr today.

Lot's of red as promised.

Nice.

Is that the stock front end (of the fuselage)?

I mistakenly addressed this to Ricardo, thinking that he refinished his plane.
My response should have been to Giorgos.

Lot's of red as promised.[/QUOTE]

Giorgos:

This plane is a very creative WORK OF ART.

This bird is unique.

I was thinking also that the Zephyr II has a very beautifully shaped fuselage; you have made it elegant.

Craig