Ziroli F6F Hellcat Builder's Diary
10-13-2013, 10:46 AM
#652
Did get one retract nearly complete over this weekend. Fighting a terrible cold has slowed down the progress a bit. Took a different approach using some servos screws in the spar and adjacent ribs to aid in holding the landing gear blocks in place. That has really helped. The clamps are ready to come off, then i will do the same for the other gear.
10-21-2013, 11:44 AM
#654
I think that DA 85 engine will be more than enough for Hellcat. I fly my F6F with Zenoah GT 80 and I'm very satisfied.
Old Scale Guy, what color scheme you will use for model?
Regards
Mirce
Old Scale Guy, what color scheme you will use for model?
Regards
Mirce
10-22-2013, 01:51 PM
#658
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Ziroli Hellcat National Balsa Full Kit
1 week of building here - I started last tuesday . Kit builds quick and pretty staightforward . Started glassing it today . If you are thinking about getting a kit - pull the trigger and go for it!
1 week of building here - I started last tuesday . Kit builds quick and pretty staightforward . Started glassing it today . If you are thinking about getting a kit - pull the trigger and go for it!
Last edited by RCHS1; 10-22-2013 at 01:55 PM.
10-29-2013, 08:14 PM
#665
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Some details on my build -
I am going really fast and a bit sloppy but I am having fun and making quik progress -
I am trying to keep tail light - I used 1/16 sheeting from canopy , back on fuse and tail with 3/4 cloth then I will use heavier cloth and normal sheeting used in the front -
Tail is built light with ca and added carbon for strength - I tried to get the epoxy thin on glass for the tail too -
I added a 4 carbon stringers in fuse plus carbon tape on outside of sheeting under glass ... she should be strong
All Carbon fiber is regular hobby shop stuff -dave brown and midwest plus world models has 5 oz carbon cloth that i will do whole bottom of center section and areas on outer wings
I was intimidated by the whole wing tube deal but it was quick and easy to complete. Cut with 32tpi Zona min hack saw with good results used GP 80 grit sandpaper to open up wings holes then used aeropxy to glue paper tubes in
I used 1/64 ply for flap sheeting on front knuckle it is way easier to work with along with bvm glue only to attach brass tubes to skin
Sheeting the fuse is a little challenging but in the end any imperfections are easy to get out with before glassing
I left it at my shop for a few days to focus on building these DUSTY plane for our AMA exhibit at the wings over houston airshow last weekend - we gave out around 50 youth memberships to new young aviation enthusiasts.
Back to building soon
s
I am going really fast and a bit sloppy but I am having fun and making quik progress -
I am trying to keep tail light - I used 1/16 sheeting from canopy , back on fuse and tail with 3/4 cloth then I will use heavier cloth and normal sheeting used in the front -
Tail is built light with ca and added carbon for strength - I tried to get the epoxy thin on glass for the tail too -
I added a 4 carbon stringers in fuse plus carbon tape on outside of sheeting under glass ... she should be strong
All Carbon fiber is regular hobby shop stuff -dave brown and midwest plus world models has 5 oz carbon cloth that i will do whole bottom of center section and areas on outer wings
I was intimidated by the whole wing tube deal but it was quick and easy to complete. Cut with 32tpi Zona min hack saw with good results used GP 80 grit sandpaper to open up wings holes then used aeropxy to glue paper tubes in
I used 1/64 ply for flap sheeting on front knuckle it is way easier to work with along with bvm glue only to attach brass tubes to skin
Sheeting the fuse is a little challenging but in the end any imperfections are easy to get out with before glassing
I left it at my shop for a few days to focus on building these DUSTY plane for our AMA exhibit at the wings over houston airshow last weekend - we gave out around 50 youth memberships to new young aviation enthusiasts.
Back to building soon
s
11-07-2013, 09:50 AM
#667
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Getting some details done -
Glass top center section
Exhaust scoop
tail cone
wing bolts and wing saddle
All pics from entire build http://www.rchouston.com/ziroli-hellcat-build-pics.html
Glass top center section
Exhaust scoop
tail cone
wing bolts and wing saddle
All pics from entire build http://www.rchouston.com/ziroli-hellcat-build-pics.html
11-08-2013, 03:26 PM
#670
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More build pics -
Hellcat 2 is from Ziroli - Glass Fuse looks good and will make #2 go quick although it will not be started anytime soon ......
Glassing remainder of fuse tonight hopefully -
Last pic is a plane my friend built 5 years ago that walked back in my shop in perfect shape - its a keeper Sr Telemaster w dle 20 in my favorite scheme
Hellcat 2 is from Ziroli - Glass Fuse looks good and will make #2 go quick although it will not be started anytime soon ......
Glassing remainder of fuse tonight hopefully -
Last pic is a plane my friend built 5 years ago that walked back in my shop in perfect shape - its a keeper Sr Telemaster w dle 20 in my favorite scheme
11-16-2013, 04:08 PM
#672
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Have you considered moving the engine back and running a 2 inch prop spacer. I did that with my zero so I could locate the dummy Radial Engine in the correct location. Made a really big difference on the look. Everybody puts so much effort into making these planes look so beautiful but then you look at them and you see the dummy radio sitting out on the very edge of Cowling. Looks funky
11-16-2013, 05:22 PM
#673
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Have you considered moving the engine back and running a 2 inch prop spacer. I did that with my zero so I could locate the dummy Radial Engine in the correct location. Made a really big difference on the look. Everybody puts so much effort into making these planes look so beautiful but then you look at them and you see the dummy radio sitting out on the very edge of Cowling. Looks funky
I did this on my little Hellcat by moving the engine back and using a 3/4" shaft extension. Looks much better as not only was I able to move the dummy back into the cowl but also did not have to remove any of it to fit around the carburetor. The down side is, of course, the need for more nose weight.
