AV8ATOR

My Feedback: (5)

Steff,

Everything looks to be coming together really nice keep up the good work. I am just starting glad this thread is here it will make my build much easier.

Carlos..

PSJDBF

Hi Carlos, thanks & looking forward to seeing pictures of your build.
Found some nice reference pictures for the cockpit lay out, nicely simplified so will try to reproduce something similar for my Zero.
Steff.

dmyers0403

My Feedback: (48)

Where was your final CG and where did you measure from.

PSJDBF

Have been plodding away on the Zero ...slow & steady hinges glued & pinned Servo's slowly getting mounted etc, BUT the exciting news is I have made a start on my Cockpit stuff.
First up was the main instrument panel, measured, cut, screws from propag team fitted other panels etc made from what ever I could find that looked good then some paint.
Really happy with the 1st results... , still awaiting a few more gauges from Propag & have switches & knobs to fit yet but coming together nicely.
Steff.

PSJDBF

A bit more progress on the main panel.
Steff.

efly726

According to the manual

"the CG is 4.5" back from the leading edge at the wingtip. This is slightly aft of the wing spar. Start with the CG on the wing spar and then move it to your liking."

PSJDBF

I wasn't happy with the mottled scheme, I was going to do a snake weave right from the start but didn't think I could pull it off but decided to give it a go, colours are a little off in the pictures compared to the eye ( well my eye anway ) but I THINK I'm happy with the result.
The next couple of days will make up my mind .

PSJDBF

Bit more progress today, have cut the engine box by 97mm and glassed everything after checking it,s where it needs to be.
A lot of weight with the GT80 so hopefully shouldn't need to add any weight to balance.
Also installed the tail wheel former & also glassed this in.
I wasn't happy with the snake weave so dulled it out a bit with another light coat of the grey green & am now happy as it looks as it should per the diagram I'm going off.
And finally a little more progress on the main instrument panel, still waiting on a couple of more gauges but added some weathering to give it that used look & some personal touches...girl freind & family.
Cheers Steff

tmaucher

Did you have any problems with the tailwheel former? The reason I ask is a friend of mine has stalled his build at this point, and when Ive seen a few of these at fly ins some have replaced the tailwheel assymbly. Do you see any problems with the tailwheel? good luck and I hope that I have not jinxed you.

PSJDBF

I modified the locking part of the tail wheel assembly so that it locks in with no air but apart from that it all looks good. guess we'll see when it's in use [X(].
I used 2 part appoxy to glue the former in then glassed the whole area & former as well so that part should be secure enough, fingers crossed the gear works as good as it looks.
Cheers.

77chickenhawk

wow very impressive work on the cockpit.. what are the odds of making one in 1/5 scale for a cmp zero?

dmyers0403

My Feedback: (48)

Just my two cents but we replaced the tail with a standard Robart air retract unit, fits in the same manner (mount design is same) looks better and works great. The air cylinder on ours was junk and the small servo mounted in tail-wheel was even worse.
Main gear units are very good, they just over designed the tail-wheel. I also found the main gear mount rails to be of a very poor quality wood and too thin. Maiden flight went great , good landing but rail broke with very little side load.
Overall it is a very good arf and flys great. Very light on the sticks and very solid flyer, you will love it. If they would just spent a little more on good wood at retract area etc.

PSJDBF

Very nice weathering on your zero chickenhawk, as far as the main instrument panel goes...maybe[], I should have a bit of time after I finish this build as this one will be it for a while, as long as you weren't in any hurry & could provide the measurements.
Thanks for the info on the retract mounts & tail wheel dmyers, I have glassed the retract area including the main gear mounts & I will have to see how the tail wheel pans out ..I have fitted a new horn to attach a pull pull set up so wont be using the servo mounted in the tail gear just hope the cylinder is ok.I did take it to work & stripped it down fitted over size o rings then locktited everything when I re assembled, fingers crossed it will be ok[].

PSJDBF

A bit more work today, finished reinforcing the engine box plumbed & fitted up the fuel tank glassed & reinforced the hatch fixed the engine on & pretty much worked out how I will fit & wire everything up.

PSJDBF

MORE PICTURES, this time I have done the front frames for the canopy, I used some plywood this time & have mounted five earth magnets in the frames mainly as a safe guard as the rails are stiff enough, you need to apply a bit of pressure inwards on both side's to slide it back & forward which is perfect.The gap where the ply frame is visable will be where I will fit up the wiper blade rubber One on each section which will allow a nice seal between both sections, Should look ok when painted.Also masked everything ready for painting which is a job in it's self.
Also fitted up the first brace & machine gun rear to the main panel & a little test fit pic.....starting to make some progress now !!.
Next up is the rear frame.
Cheers all .... Steff.

77chickenhawk

how did you make the gas selector valve and the other knobs?

thankx

PSJDBF

I didn't make most of the knobs & switches, I got them from Propagteam.I brought an accessory kit Plus had some bits & peices left from my Hurricane build.
The prices for the accessorys, switches, & most of the fake screws are reasonable so make for a good panel at a reasonable price. On this one I have used the screws from the supplied panel that came with the plane to actually hold some panels etc in so they are functional.The zero panel is multi layered (almost as if everything was an add on ) so it makes for an interesting project.
I have used some old relay housings for the bottom boxes cut & shaped as needed also used old timer relays for the gun ends using stripstyrene for the details.
The main panel I used ply covered with plastic book covering which has kept it pretty light. I will also use some very thin wire to add some wiring harnesses & tubes.
I also got a seat & harness from propagteam & plan on doing the other panels radios levers etc to get a reasonable looking depiction of a Zero cockpit.
Steff.

PSJDBF

Did the rear canopy frame today, needs a little tweaking but very happy with the way it's turned out, & the important thing is that the center section slides very nicely with a little inwards pressure but locks tight where ever it is left & when closed & against the earth magnets is very firm , I dont think it vibrating open is going to be a problem.

77chickenhawk

thankx steff

do you have the web sight for propagteam?

thankx

PSJDBF

Link below, P.M me if you want some old relay & timer boxes.
Steff.




http://www.propagteam.cz/home_en.asp

77chickenhawk

thankx.. i have a new site to look at... they have a couple things that Zspan dont have

dmyers0403

My Feedback: (48)

What color are you using for the cockpit ?

PSJDBF

Hi there dmyers, it's Tamiya cockpit green (IJN).
Well Have finally finished the main panel short of some paint touch up's & made up a sight for my Zero out of a German Revi sight from Propagteam.
Sight was quite time consuming & fiddely work.
Not all 100% scale but as close as I was ever going to get, & I'm happy I guess thats all that really matters....now to start on the rest of the cockpit !!.

glazier808

My Feedback: (1)

Great work!

Casey

Razmo

My Feedback: (2)

Hey Guys,

I should also have some photos of a cockpit pit that will be available for the TBM Zero soon...

Raz