Top Flite Giant Zero 86" Span.
02-13-2017, 12:26 PM
#426
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: atlanta, GA
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Hey there, I have the topflite zero as well and am highly interested in going electric! Would you be willing to share pics of your planes internal setup to support batteries etc? I've been trying to come up with a means to do so but with its short nose it doesn't seem to easily lend itself to creating a fuselage battery hatch. Thanks a ton!
-edwin marshall ([email protected])
-edwin marshall ([email protected])
05-08-2017, 08:18 AM
#429
Join Date: Aug 2016
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Hi,
I am building this zero from Topflite with DLE 55 RA
You can see this build here ( sorry by french but there is many pictures ) :
Montage Zero Top Flite DLE 55 RA
I removed the leads in the noze... not easy because I had to open the fuse to be able to access to the nilstop nut
I am building this zero from Topflite with DLE 55 RA
You can see this build here ( sorry by french but there is many pictures ) :
Montage Zero Top Flite DLE 55 RA
I removed the leads in the noze... not easy because I had to open the fuse to be able to access to the nilstop nut
05-09-2017, 01:02 PM
#431
Join Date: Aug 2016
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I removed weights to optimize total weight
My idea is to put the 3 Life pack as much as possible on the front by making new engine support
If I success, I will save 1,4kg
These weights are really at a bad place... too close to the gravity center !
My idea is to put the 3 Life pack as much as possible on the front by making new engine support
If I success, I will save 1,4kg
These weights are really at a bad place... too close to the gravity center !
09-13-2017, 09:08 AM
#441
Join Date: Aug 2016
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12-16-2017, 12:00 PM
#442
So.... finally maidened the TF Zero running the Saito radial 60cc engine. This model flies very very nicely. Easy take-off, good climb out, great aileron rolls, relatively good loop although I pulled it a bit tight at the bottom coming out of the loop. Only problem was that I deployed half-flap at too high a speed and got into all sorts of bother. First it ballooned, then it went into a spiralling dive
, when I pulled out of that I was inverted flying away from me with a tail wind. Managed to retract flap and roll it right-side up and brought it back. Too scared to deploy flaps again so I went for a flapless landing. Was o.k, but when I taxied back I noticed one of the main landing gears was not fully extended.
Have pulled the retract apart and found that a pin on the upper trunnion has bent which jams the gear. I have used Robart electric retracts on this model, and they weren't a cheap option!!
I would not expect a bent part in the retract out of that landing, and using gear of that quality and expense!! Has anyone else found similar issues with the Robart electric retracts??
I will try to straighten the pin, but once it has bent I wonder if it will continue to bend.
Anyway, an action packed maiden!! One I would not like to repeat. Appears I will have to slow this baby right down before thinking about deploying flap. Bloody scary, I thought I had lost this model straight up!!!
What I do feel is that this model will be a great flier once I feel confident in the set-up. The Saito powered it great and sounded superb. Just have to work on the landing gear, something I didn't think I'd be doing given the expense I went to.
P.S Sorry, no video. I had someone taking video, but the quality is no where near good enough to post. Will try again next time.
, when I pulled out of that I was inverted flying away from me with a tail wind. Managed to retract flap and roll it right-side up and brought it back. Too scared to deploy flaps again so I went for a flapless landing. Was o.k, but when I taxied back I noticed one of the main landing gears was not fully extended.Have pulled the retract apart and found that a pin on the upper trunnion has bent which jams the gear. I have used Robart electric retracts on this model, and they weren't a cheap option!!
I would not expect a bent part in the retract out of that landing, and using gear of that quality and expense!! Has anyone else found similar issues with the Robart electric retracts??I will try to straighten the pin, but once it has bent I wonder if it will continue to bend.
Anyway, an action packed maiden!! One I would not like to repeat. Appears I will have to slow this baby right down before thinking about deploying flap. Bloody scary, I thought I had lost this model straight up!!!
What I do feel is that this model will be a great flier once I feel confident in the set-up. The Saito powered it great and sounded superb. Just have to work on the landing gear, something I didn't think I'd be doing given the expense I went to.
P.S Sorry, no video. I had someone taking video, but the quality is no where near good enough to post. Will try again next time.
12-16-2017, 04:57 PM
#444
My Feedback: (17)
Robart gear
Yes the pin you are talking about bends very easy on robart gear. 2 options are. Buy the new gear part. It' expensive. The other most do is grind the weld off the gear on one side. The bent pin will fall out and then JB weld in the shank of a drill bit. Don't remember the size. But it fits perfectly. This is how many people fix that. The bit is hardened steel unlike the mild steel that bent.
02-23-2018, 11:30 PM
#446
Join Date: Aug 2016
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if you have motivation, remove factory weight, and put batteries in the noise
you can save 1kg
the only operation I didn’t like, is the soldering of pushrod
02-25-2018, 05:11 AM
#447
If that is the case, remember to fly this plane on it's wing and not on the engine and prop.
In other words especially on final approach to land, avoid high angle of attack / low airspeed type flying.
Have fun!
12-26-2018, 02:57 PM
#448
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: hampshire, UNITED KINGDOM
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12-29-2018, 06:04 AM
#449
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: zur igaalisrael, ISRAEL
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12-30-2018, 02:15 PM
#450
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: hampshire, UNITED KINGDOM
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Canopy
I'm finishing the molds for the clear parts of the canopy, it didn't rain for a few hours today so I could let them dry outside a bit. I've started the weathering and I've ordered my flat clear so I will be ready to paint next week weather permitting!
I'm going to show progress pictures, so keep in mind the Monokote is actually quite shinny and I'm using a flat black for weathering, the contrast between the two does not look good at this stage. The clear coat will tie it all together and only at that time will it look as I intend. I'm using Model Masters enamels and a silver pen for some of the fine panel line detailing.
I was thinking of having a servo lock on the canopy, that way when the lock is released the vibration and wind will actually slide the canopy back when in flight! If it works that would be cool.
The canopy slides very easily in the track, so I think it might be possible.
I'm going to show progress pictures, so keep in mind the Monokote is actually quite shinny and I'm using a flat black for weathering, the contrast between the two does not look good at this stage. The clear coat will tie it all together and only at that time will it look as I intend. I'm using Model Masters enamels and a silver pen for some of the fine panel line detailing.
I was thinking of having a servo lock on the canopy, that way when the lock is released the vibration and wind will actually slide the canopy back when in flight! If it works that would be cool.
The canopy slides very easily in the track, so I think it might be possible.rgds
steve