Maxeys Zlin
 

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Here is a plane that I did not build, it is the actual first prototype built by Maxey Hester of Sig Manufacturing. It has most likely not flown since originally being tested in the 1970’s. That is all about to change. I acquired the plane last year and will be updating it and be holding the transmitter as it takes to the air again. I wanted to document this somewhat and feel this as good of a place as any. The plane is 50 some years old but I think with a few days of playing around, it will fly just fine…… Ok here goes……😉

Here is how the plane spent most of it's life at Sig...........kinda interesting
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And here is where it has set since I bought it........................
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Always loved that plane. Built two - one stolen after only two great flights, the second I wasn't as careful with and it ended up way overweight. Probably because of that issue, it was not the aerobatic plane of my dreams back in the 80's. It finally stalled too high on a landing approach. But to this day, I still use the color scheme on various other planes from time to time.

I just left the shop from a day of torture. Dealing with a plane of this era and all the issues that arise is quite a challenge. Figuring where to start is the hard part. My main goal is to fly it without changing everything that Max did, that is my goal. The rudder was pretty much nonfunctional and I was able to get that fixed. Next up is deciding if the original non schneurle ported Enya 60 is what I want to trust or do I try something else and have some reliability built into flying a classic antique.
Also the little pilot has been removed by someone who knows how long ago.
This is a time capsule..............what a history................its amazing to be honest.

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Ok back at it, was able to remove the old 10 oz tank and replace it with a 14, had a Sullivan so that’s what it got. Yesterday I spent most of the day making a custom mount for a different engine. I’m still not sure I want to run that old enya, probably has the power of a 35 in today’s line up. I flew a Sig Komet for many years with a Super Tigre 75 and this plane is similar in size and weight. I’ll try to set up a possible Super Tigre 61-75-90 replacement and set the original engine off to the side………
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I was able to install a new throttle cable, get the Super Tigre 61 installed, and make a few small changes to the front cowl. I want to be able to reinstall the original engine and cowl so as to keep the plane as original as Hester built it in 1970. I can now swap out engines and mounts with only a couple screws. Engine ended up being 3/8” longer that the Enya was, so I made some stand offs and the front cowl sets forward 3/8” with a gap temporarily while the plane is ready to fly. So far there is a new tank, engine, mount, and throttle cable. Time for some radio gear…….,.🤓
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Here’s a mess that about shut me down. I was trying to get the rudder and tail wheel working correctly and the rudder rod just broke where the threads start. Clevis is an oddball size but I was able to solder on a new adapter, whew that was a mess……….🤪 These are the types of things that happen on a 55 year old airplane. Got real lucky that I was able to fix it………
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Well this old gal is almost ready to run and set the carb settings. All radio equipment is installed in the fuse, all throws set, and C/G is spot on. All up weight came in at an impressive 7.5 pounds ready to fly. Only thing left is the aileron servo installation and throws. After some interesting reading it seems this exact plane may have been flown in Germany 1969 for the International Scale Contest. Also, I’m not sure if it was the green one (WXD) or the blue one (WXC) but Maxey won first place that year at the Nats in Pennsylvania . Regardless, this has been a very interesting experience for me personally and I’m honored to have had the opportunity. I have tried to be respectful of the airframe and not alter anything if at all possible. This plane will be airworthy very soon. I fully intend to fly this plane and photograph it in the air…….😉

Ready to fly! 😉 Last time this flew we were just sending our first Astronauts to walk on the moon……….
Im absolutely excited to see it fly and feel the plane that Hester built.
He said it flys well and has good manners on the ground, I guess we’re going to find out……….👍
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Hoping to have the chance of seeing some video or at least in the air pictures

Rick,
I'm going to set up a u-tube account and upload some rc plane vids from my flying.
I'll make sure this one gets filmed...........

I would love to see the videos. It is nice that you can reinstall the Enya. The old Enya .60 engines were very good. I have the next newer Enya Model 7033 (.60-III TV) with the machined Enya carb. It has always been rock solid reliable and had plenty of power in an El Gringo pattern plane and the Sig Kwik Built Super Chipmunk. I see your Enya was retrofitted with a Perry carburetor. My Enya engines have been the most reliable glow engines I have ever used. I intend to use my 50 year old Enya .60 to power a Great Planes Ultra Sport 60 when I finish building it. Try the Enya on the bench. You might just love it.

My understanding is this version had a full wingspan and flew very well on what would be considered today a low power. With the long wings it had glider like tendency yet could fly every known aerobatics of the day. I believe it was the first plane to fly a Lomcovák .

I to love the look of this airplane, and I was lucky enough to come across an all wood ARF. Never heard of Ecom.rc but it looked well-built and straight. Very light, begs for retracts. They folded back under the wings, with part of the wheel exposed below the wing. This model has an 82-inch wing span, 73 inch length and is claimed to weigh in at 11.9 lbs.
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This is an interesting thing to ponder. I had assumed the old Enya would be temperamental and finicky, coupled with low power and a possibility of giving me a dead stick situation.
I will absolutely give this engine a tank of fuel and see how it performs, it would be very good if it performs as you say and I can put things back as Hester built it. Appreciate the insight.............................

Remote glo driver recommended, seen a few fingers and glo drivers come in contact with the prop with that forward leaning glo plug. Other than that, it seems to be a great engine.

This engine has a strait glow plug, but perhaps the remote glow is a good idea.
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At one time or another back in the early 70's, I owned and flew most of those older Enya engines. The first version you have was not a powerhouse by any means but was dead on reliable. If you ever choose to use it, be sure the old Perry carb has good "O" rings on the metering disc as an internal leak will leave you dead. I can't believe the carb would be in good condition after all these years. Later versions of the Enya 60, the II, III and there may have been a IV all gained power with each upgrade. If I was going to fly the Zlin with an old Enya, I think I would look for a stock 60 III as they were truly excellent in their time. Sadly I saw a number of those old Zlins crash back in the day and they didn't enjoy a great reputation. I never flew one so I have no idea what the problem may have been. A number of Maxey's designs were known to be snap happy as his choice of airfoils was not always the best. That was fairly common in that time period. He was a good builder though! I'm proud to say he taught me a few things about flying back in the day. He was a fine, proud, stubborn southerner (though transplanted to Iowa) that nobody ever won an argument or discussion with. Though he wasn't a close friend, I'm better off having known him.

Good luck with the Zlin and I look forward to a flight report.

Hey truckracer,
Most likely after seeing your location, you may be able to watch the plane fly in person.
I will most likely be flying it from the EPJ field by Bondurant, or possibly Cambridge as I am a member at both clubs.
I was just there flying that plane you see to the left yesterday and got 8 much needed flights in.
Perhaps we can set down and shoot the breeze.
I'll be the guy with all the brightly colored planes, and the one in my avatar is usually with me.........................

..."Next up is deciding if the original non schneurle ported Enya 60 is what I want to trust or do I try something else and have some reliability built into flying a classic antique."...

Personally, I'd be running that old Enya - - with half-again the amount of castor in the fuel (which is NOT going to help keep her bright and shiny) AT LEAST once, and probably until the engine dies. Enya's are strong, reliable, just plain fun and I don't think (with a decent 're-break-in") it'll give you any issues at all.

And, even if she did eventually fail in the air, everything I've ever heard about the Zlin says it's a pretty good dead-stick glider. You're not going to lose it.
D

Sorry about the plug forward thing I assumed it was the 4 stroke I didn' look at pictures my bad.

Dave,
I love ya like a brother, but I'm not dead sticking this plane, sorry, not taking the chance.
I may reinstall the Enya later, but power gets you out of trouble and I'm going to stay out of trouble while flying this plane.
I thought long and hard on it............the Super Tigre is the safest option I have.

PlumberD,

Is there a story that could be told in public (in the thread) as to how you landed that particular Zlin (and the unnamed airplane) into your hanger.
Very cool piece of RC airplane history for sure....
If it wasn't so far.... LOL, I'd drive out to watch the re-maiden myself...

One other question or two, are you concerned about the engine overheating at all. I think it's cool how well its concealed and the exhaust stack vents are great, but sure seam like there will not be much air moving through there? Are the louvers on the right side functional?

Rick,
no problem at all and it would be my pleasure.
Engine overheating should not be an issue.
Maxey designed a creative tunnel from engine compartment to front of wing, wide open designed for just this issue.
As long as the plane is moving, all hot air exits thru the tunnel, approx. 4" wide by 1" high

OK mystery plane........a local guy in our club was showing a photo of his workshop on our club ap one day.
I saw part of this plane showing in the background and reached out to the guy about buying it.
He said he got it from Sig and didn't know anything about it, he also was loading up Rascal parts, fuses, 4 star wings etc.
I went to his house the next day and bought it immediately, I knew it was something special, the construction is flawless..........

Maxeys Zlin....
Same guy brought both Zlins WXD and WXC from Sig, he immediately hung them in the hobby shop for sale at Hobby Haven. Foolish man indeed.
Rick the owner reached out to me to buy the green one and told me who built it...........I did not buy it that day, thought it would be there next time I came.
as it turns out, a good friend of mine bought it, realized what kind of issues the plane had, decided not to keep it and asked me if I'd be interested.
And the rest is listed in this thread.
There are other Sig prototypes still in my area and I intend to seek them out and return them to the air, most are damaged, missing items, sad and neglected. I know where 2 more desirable prototypes are at and will do my best to acquire them....
2 weeks ago I ran into the original Hank Pohlman Sig 450 Mustang that was featured on the box cover, the red white and blue one.
I will be trying my best to get that one next, and again, the owner had no idea what he had until I told him.........


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Super Tigre's really haul the mail, its a no brainer to me. Put the classic Enya/Perry unknown on a shelf and leave it there for the purists when you're done with flying it.
It's your plane, your restoration, do what you wan to do and know. There is no problem with that Schnuerle ported Super Tigre. Last thing you want is a dead stick from dried out gasket 70 year old engine. I see a lock nut holding that Perry on too?
I've flown about everything - having flipped estate sales for 20 some years, I ran into one of everything I think eventually over that time. I've flown a different Zlin, slightly different wing, but familiar. They fly more like your Giles, Extras, Edges, Sukhoi's...that don't like to turn back to the runway very well if they dead-stick and you walk and walk after a straight line landing to keep the wings level.

I'm glad you're flying it as Maxey intended and not make it some stupid museum dust bunny.
Dave Platt made me understand before asking me to sell off his RC collection, to ONLY sell to active flying hobbyists who will respect his wishes to "fly the wings off his planes", and after it crashes, then they can donate it the AMA museum! Naturally once someone takes ownership of anything, it's theirs to do as they wish, but he asked me to filter out the AMA fanatics and I certainly honored his wishes.
I wish you all the best, this is what you're good at. We talk a lot. I think you're doing what would interest Maxey here by flying it, but do what interests you first. It's yours to do with as you wish.
Oh yeah, thank you for posting this on RCU. Projects like these, belong here, not on a dumb foam BNF site.