ORIGINAL: _shadow_
Mike,
I am getting into pattern and been reading / studying the cost of going up the ladder and its not cheap, especially the top end composite planes. Ultimately I would be getting a top end plane and I was thinking of a kit built 2M pattern plane that can compete with the best, and I found this thread. However, your design is for glow and electric powerplants, I am interested in going gas or more specifically the ZDZ40RE+ ES Pipe combo. What modifications are needed to convert to gas? and still keep the wing loading? Thanks!!
regards
Marcus
It's interesting that you should mention that.
When I designed this plane, I had the ZDZ 40 in mind. That's why untrimmed, the cowl is so voluminous.
ZDZ is about to release an F3A version of thier RE40. It's fairly light and will turn the same size propellors as the electrics. Different of course, but somewhere closer to the ball park than current glow engines. I'll tell you this: when they release it, my next one is going to be done like that.
As for what modifications, the wing would have to be moved forward slightly and perhaps using 2 servos in the tail to compensate for balance. With that engine, weight should not be an issue with this plane; it should be about 10.5 lbs built properly. I wouldn't do any honeycombing though, and I'd run an antivibration mount and pay close attention.
So to make a long answer short, I'd say not much of anything would have to be changed IF you run the new ZDZ. Availability is late spring/early summer so I hear. I am going to preorder one myself.
-Mike