I think your wasting your time. The r/c conversion shown on the gillow's plan is based on 70's era single channel escapment systems. It was barely more than a free flight model you could steer. The zero's structure is not designed for multichannel r/c and really lacks the strength to carry a 7.2 V battery and power system. The guy at the hobby shop was right. If you want to cut your teeth in r/c then there are a lot of good beginners kits out there that you will have a great deal more success with. If it's about building the zero, then build the zero and enjoy it, but keep it as a rubber powered free flight model.

If you want to know if it can be done, then the answer is yes. I could do it, but I've been building models for 20 years. The performance would be marginal for the time and effort invested. There are a lot better and less frustrating ways to get involved in the hobby. I know this is not what you want to hear, but I'm trying to help not be mean.