Ziroli SBD-5 Dauntless takes flight!
06-29-2008, 09:50 PM
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Ziroli SBD-5 Dauntless takes flight!
My one-year warbird project, a Ziroli SBD-5 Dauntless, flew her maiden this past Saturday over the skies of Markham Park, South Florida.
Some information: 101" wingspan, 45 lbs., Zenoah GT-80, Robart gear, finished with .5oz cloth/finishing resin, painted and clearcoated with Matrix-brand automotive basecoats. Functioned center and wing bomb drops, nav lights, arresting hook and sliding canopy.
Everything went well; however, engine issues and one lazy landing gear limited my flight duration to two.
Takeoff's required more rollout than expected and loads of right rudder. The tail did lift right up within 20 feet. The engine just didn't seem to produce decent RPM's, maybe because of the added weight of the model and a new engine? I'm running a Menz 'S' - 22" X 12"-2-blade and getting 6600 RPM's. Maybe a carbon-fiber Bolly would help?
Level flight was quickly achieved once I utilized dual rates, reducing deflection on ailerons. Elevator and rudder responded well.
I never checked the C.G. in-flight; however, I suspect it may be nose heavy. I'm at the 5-1/2" mark as recommended on plans. Other's have mentioned to move it back to around 6".
After the twelve-minute timer sounded, I dropped the gear, which illuminated the landing light. Turning on the downleg and downwind, half flaps were engaged. Down elevator was mixed into flaps, therefore minimal pitching occured (yes, I do these adjustments in-flight - works great!). Final turn to land, full flaps (35 degrees). She was rock solid all the way down, never deviating from the heading; no ballooning, just a smooth descent to a nice main wheel landing.
Second flight was similar, except for one landing leg not fully retracting. The engine still didn't appear to be peaking in RPM's. Hopefully, once I get more time on the engine, I'll see an improvement. Also, I'll be shortening the exhaust stacks on the Slimline mufflers. This may help.
So, I've got a few minor changes to make with retract system; replacements to the Schrader and selector valve (using Sierra's this time); open up some additional holes around the dummy engine, as I suspect the GT-80's running warm, and add the third 2.4 GHZ. remote receiver. Not necessary, but nice to have.
Thanks to Snake Stuka, Mike H. , John N. and Mike O. (IFLYBVM2) for their time, extremely helpful documents and technical expertise. Lastly Tom P. (Jerry Bates Dauntless project). His website provided detailing information that made this finish possible.
Onward to Delaware in one week...
NICK
Some information: 101" wingspan, 45 lbs., Zenoah GT-80, Robart gear, finished with .5oz cloth/finishing resin, painted and clearcoated with Matrix-brand automotive basecoats. Functioned center and wing bomb drops, nav lights, arresting hook and sliding canopy.
Everything went well; however, engine issues and one lazy landing gear limited my flight duration to two.
Takeoff's required more rollout than expected and loads of right rudder. The tail did lift right up within 20 feet. The engine just didn't seem to produce decent RPM's, maybe because of the added weight of the model and a new engine? I'm running a Menz 'S' - 22" X 12"-2-blade and getting 6600 RPM's. Maybe a carbon-fiber Bolly would help?
Level flight was quickly achieved once I utilized dual rates, reducing deflection on ailerons. Elevator and rudder responded well.
I never checked the C.G. in-flight; however, I suspect it may be nose heavy. I'm at the 5-1/2" mark as recommended on plans. Other's have mentioned to move it back to around 6".
After the twelve-minute timer sounded, I dropped the gear, which illuminated the landing light. Turning on the downleg and downwind, half flaps were engaged. Down elevator was mixed into flaps, therefore minimal pitching occured (yes, I do these adjustments in-flight - works great!). Final turn to land, full flaps (35 degrees). She was rock solid all the way down, never deviating from the heading; no ballooning, just a smooth descent to a nice main wheel landing.
Second flight was similar, except for one landing leg not fully retracting. The engine still didn't appear to be peaking in RPM's. Hopefully, once I get more time on the engine, I'll see an improvement. Also, I'll be shortening the exhaust stacks on the Slimline mufflers. This may help.
So, I've got a few minor changes to make with retract system; replacements to the Schrader and selector valve (using Sierra's this time); open up some additional holes around the dummy engine, as I suspect the GT-80's running warm, and add the third 2.4 GHZ. remote receiver. Not necessary, but nice to have.
Thanks to Snake Stuka, Mike H. , John N. and Mike O. (IFLYBVM2) for their time, extremely helpful documents and technical expertise. Lastly Tom P. (Jerry Bates Dauntless project). His website provided detailing information that made this finish possible.
Onward to Delaware in one week...
NICK
06-29-2008, 10:19 PM
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RE: Ziroli SBD-5 Dauntless takes flight!
nice job Nick, she looks like a keeper.
It looks like the "Lucky *******s" have another awsume aircraft
for their fleet.
BTW, it looks like your wearing an 04' Bomber Field shirt? ahhh
I remember buzzing the Lucky B's tent with a deadstick 109 that
September[X(] day
have a great time at WOD
It looks like the "Lucky *******s" have another awsume aircraft
for their fleet.
BTW, it looks like your wearing an 04' Bomber Field shirt? ahhh
I remember buzzing the Lucky B's tent with a deadstick 109 that
September[X(] day
have a great time at WOD
06-30-2008, 05:36 AM
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RE: Ziroli SBD-5 Dauntless takes flight!
Congrats Nick-She looks awesome. BTW, I had to run 120-130 PSI on mine to get the gear to reliably retract, and even then, had to sometimes roll her over to get them both up on occaision.
You should be proud-That's one heck of a nice airplane you have there !
Regards-Mike Oberst
You should be proud-That's one heck of a nice airplane you have there !
Regards-Mike Oberst
06-30-2008, 08:37 AM
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RE: Ziroli SBD-5 Dauntless takes flight!
Like wise Congrats Nick, she looks sweet!. I am very happy for you that all your hard work was rewarded and wasn't wasted...Yep you are right Todd "She is definitely a keeper"..
06-30-2008, 12:42 PM
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RE: Ziroli SBD-5 Dauntless takes flight!
Congats Nick. I was hoping to get out to Markham to help you and Mike out with the Maiden, but just couldn't get away. Mike told me all went well and that the Dauntless is even better looking in person than it is in pics. Good luck and enjoy. Mark
07-01-2008, 03:03 AM
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RE: Ziroli SBD-5 Dauntless takes flight!
Fantastic job! Awesome looking plane Nick! Cockpit looks incredible.
I haven't seen you in a while, I look forward to flying our stukas again soon. Maybe in Florida later this year at one of the Giant scale warbird events. Have fun in Delaware!
-Patrick
I haven't seen you in a while, I look forward to flying our stukas again soon. Maybe in Florida later this year at one of the Giant scale warbird events. Have fun in Delaware!
-Patrick
07-02-2008, 04:58 AM
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RE: Ziroli SBD-5 Dauntless takes flight!
Well done Nick!
It's good to see that your 22*12 with 6600 is able to pull your SBD from the ground. I have a 46 lbs 100" Z Dauntless with a ZDZ100 which turns a 27*10 Biela with 5400. So the thrust is slightly higher than yours so I am a bit more confident about my setup.
Joe
It's good to see that your 22*12 with 6600 is able to pull your SBD from the ground. I have a 46 lbs 100" Z Dauntless with a ZDZ100 which turns a 27*10 Biela with 5400. So the thrust is slightly higher than yours so I am a bit more confident about my setup.
Joe
