Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
03-17-2013, 03:58 PM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
First flap hinged. For the robart hinge points I like to use a piece of 3/16" brass tube sharpened- it makes a nice smooth hole whereas a drill bit likes to rip the balsa apart. I also made a little tool to get my holes all at the same angle. I left a bit of a gap on the inboard side just in case I need some extra clearance against the fuse. I'll fill that later.
03-17-2013, 04:12 PM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
ORIGINAL: John Taylor
Big E, I'm really enjoying this build of yours. Makes me remember back to when I started my Ziroli B-25 back in 1992. I never finished it. Now wish I had. Keep up the great work John T.
Big E, I'm really enjoying this build of yours. Makes me remember back to when I started my Ziroli B-25 back in 1992. I never finished it. Now wish I had. Keep up the great work John T.
03-18-2013, 04:50 AM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
Big E, I have been folowing your thread and loving it! my question is rather a simple one. How do you sharpen the brass tube, I have read many times where the instructions refer to that same way, with a brass tube making a hole in balsa.Are your plans to have the b-25 flying this summer?
jason
jason
03-18-2013, 01:42 PM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
ORIGINAL: kork
Big E, I have been folowing your thread and loving it! my question is rather a simple one. How do you sharpen the brass tube, I have read many times where the instructions refer to that same way, with a brass tube making a hole in balsa. Are your plans to have the b-25 flying this summer?
jason
Big E, I have been folowing your thread and loving it! my question is rather a simple one. How do you sharpen the brass tube, I have read many times where the instructions refer to that same way, with a brass tube making a hole in balsa. Are your plans to have the b-25 flying this summer?
jason
As far as the brass- just stick a #11 exacto blade in the end and spin the tube. It shaves the brass until its nice and sharp. Now although it cuts the balsa cleanly, it's slow. Sometimes I'll put the tube in a drill and that helps.
03-18-2013, 04:33 PM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
Working on framing out the flap servo on the opposite side. While I was waiting for glue to dry, I hooked up the flap I setup yesterday to see how it works- so far so good. First time setting up an internal linkage for me and I really like the way it works.
Also cutout a new w-5 trailing edge- the one that needs to be angled in to the nacelle. I messed up the first try.
Also cutout a new w-5 trailing edge- the one that needs to be angled in to the nacelle. I messed up the first try.
03-19-2013, 03:20 PM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
Moving outwards- the outer flap sections (of the center section) cut out. And note I need to replace the trailing edge of w-7 while I'm at it.
03-20-2013, 03:51 AM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
Love this plane! Very impressive craftsmanship.
Did you consider using a miniature table saw to cut the planking? I know you'll lose a lot in the kerf but it would probably save a lot of time in cutting the planks.
On the Robart hinge points - a good, sharp brad-point bit will cut balsa cleanly. I used sharpened brass tube a lot but getting it sharp in the first place is hit and miss. By the time I have a nice sharp edge on the tube it tends to bell.
One of these days I'll get motivated and order a bunch of sizes of stainless tubing from McMaster-Carr (1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 1/4" most commonly used) and use them. It should stay sharp a lot longer with less tendency to bell out. Probably won't take longer to sharpen just because I won't have to keep screwing around with it.
What's your plan for the interior?
Did you consider using a miniature table saw to cut the planking? I know you'll lose a lot in the kerf but it would probably save a lot of time in cutting the planks.
On the Robart hinge points - a good, sharp brad-point bit will cut balsa cleanly. I used sharpened brass tube a lot but getting it sharp in the first place is hit and miss. By the time I have a nice sharp edge on the tube it tends to bell.
One of these days I'll get motivated and order a bunch of sizes of stainless tubing from McMaster-Carr (1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 1/4" most commonly used) and use them. It should stay sharp a lot longer with less tendency to bell out. Probably won't take longer to sharpen just because I won't have to keep screwing around with it.
What's your plan for the interior?
03-20-2013, 09:34 AM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
ORIGINAL: CafeenMan
Love this plane! Very impressive craftsmanship.
Did you consider using a miniature table saw to cut the planking? I know you'll lose a lot in the kerf but it would probably save a lot of time in cutting the planks.
On the Robart hinge points - a good, sharp brad-point bit will cut balsa cleanly. I used sharpened brass tube a lot but getting it sharp in the first place is hit and miss. By the time I have a nice sharp edge on the tube it tends to bell.
One of these days I'll get motivated and order a bunch of sizes of stainless tubing from McMaster-Carr (1/8'', 5/32'', 3/16'', 1/4'' most commonly used) and use them. It should stay sharp a lot longer with less tendency to bell out. Probably won't take longer to sharpen just because I won't have to keep screwing around with it.
What's your plan for the interior?
Love this plane! Very impressive craftsmanship.
Did you consider using a miniature table saw to cut the planking? I know you'll lose a lot in the kerf but it would probably save a lot of time in cutting the planks.
On the Robart hinge points - a good, sharp brad-point bit will cut balsa cleanly. I used sharpened brass tube a lot but getting it sharp in the first place is hit and miss. By the time I have a nice sharp edge on the tube it tends to bell.
One of these days I'll get motivated and order a bunch of sizes of stainless tubing from McMaster-Carr (1/8'', 5/32'', 3/16'', 1/4'' most commonly used) and use them. It should stay sharp a lot longer with less tendency to bell out. Probably won't take longer to sharpen just because I won't have to keep screwing around with it.
What's your plan for the interior?
The balsa stripper actually works quite well and is fast. The only issue I have with it is I'm limited on the width of the strip. The planks I was making for the fuse are as wide as I can go.
Good tip on the brad point bits. Need to see if I can find them.
I don't have a plan for the interior yet other than knowing that I will do something. Looks like there are some cockpit kits out there-for the turret and fwd greenhouse I'll probably just make something up with scrap balsa.
03-20-2013, 09:42 AM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
Lowes and Home Depot sell some brad points. I've found 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" as well as larger sizes I don't need and don't remember what they were. They're not great bits but at least they're local. Check out Lee Valley or Rockler for more sizes. The faster they're spinning the better they work.
03-20-2013, 10:24 AM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
there is a very beautiful interior kit on http://www.dbalsa.com/cockpits/ziroli_b25_8.htm
The only problem that its cost is 225 $. You can certainly look at it and remake with scratch!!!
The only problem that its cost is 225 $. You can certainly look at it and remake with scratch!!!
03-20-2013, 10:29 AM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
I'm sorry, but I can't agree with the "very beautiful" part. I just looked at cockpits for several planes and not a single part in the cockpit has a sharp look to it. They look like the equivalent of plastic army men to me. Look at the quality of today's plastic kits by comparison. While they are a lot more expensive than they used to be, $225.00 will get you one heck of a nice kit with a lot more pieces than I see in that cockpit. Normally I wouldn't post something like this but what I'm seeing and the prices just floored me. Maybe I'm missing something.
03-20-2013, 12:09 PM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
I made mine out of bits and pieces of balsa sheets, blocks, sticks, thin plywood, aluminum strips and rods, small electrical wire. You can use your imagination and come up with some really cool stuff. It was enjoyable to do and the cost was very low. There were no interior kits available at the time but i think i would scratch build it today just the same. I could scan and post some pictures if you would like.
03-20-2013, 12:54 PM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
I agree with you. The price is absolutely exorbitant for the pieces they supply. I looked only at the pictures on the site, never bought one, so I cannot judge .
03-20-2013, 06:48 PM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
Mr. Oldscaleguy, I for one would like to see,that what you have wrought ...... the art is in the details please post your photos..... Ray
03-20-2013, 07:35 PM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
Great discussion! That cockpit isnt bad, But there is no way I am spending 200 bucks on it! Although i want to make it as nice as i can, This plane will not be judged. I made a cockpit for a Byron corsair about 15 years ago out of nothing but scraps and some colored pins and it looked fantastic. Not perfect scale, but my flying buddies loved it and so did I. And that's all that counts.
I sold that corsair to fellow that goes by Check6 here on the forum- Fred if you read this I'd be curious to know whatever happened to her!
I sold that corsair to fellow that goes by Check6 here on the forum- Fred if you read this I'd be curious to know whatever happened to her!
03-20-2013, 07:37 PM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
ORIGINAL: OldScaleGuy
I made mine out of bits and pieces of balsa sheets, blocks, sticks, thin plywood, aluminum strips and rods, small electrical wire. You can use your imagination and come up with some really cool stuff. It was enjoyable to do and the cost was very low. There were no interior kits available at the time but i think i would scratch build it today just the same. I could scan and post some pictures if you would like.
I made mine out of bits and pieces of balsa sheets, blocks, sticks, thin plywood, aluminum strips and rods, small electrical wire. You can use your imagination and come up with some really cool stuff. It was enjoyable to do and the cost was very low. There were no interior kits available at the time but i think i would scratch build it today just the same. I could scan and post some pictures if you would like.
03-23-2013, 07:30 AM
#223
RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
Attached are some scanned pictures of the old B-25. I believe there are some other pictures around with more detail on the cockpit items. In the first picture, there is a foam pad in the upper left, there is a lot of small bits and pieces on that pad. Close ups of the finished plane give you some ideas. For the example the ammo boxes are just balsa blocks with a 1/16 ply lid and some bent aluminum rod for handles. The nose gun is suspended by black string, with some small, light springs attached to thin plywood at the nose gunner rear former and some small pulleys up front made from thin plywood and hangars made from thin aluminum strips. There is a clipboard made out of thin ply and alum. rod with a piece of paper on it that i just made up some sort of bomb count. Fun stuff. Oh yea, i just had to add a picture of the plane basically all framed up and a picture of it before the first flight....
Another one of those days that we cannot upload pictures. Will try again later, but based on the way it has been going lately it will probably be Monday for it is fixed.
Another one of those days that we cannot upload pictures. Will try again later, but based on the way it has been going lately it will probably be Monday for it is fixed.
03-25-2013, 09:34 AM
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RE: Ed's Ziroli B-25 Build
Steve,
Thanks for loading those pictures. Your B-25 is gorgeous. Based on the rather old looking copy of RCM in the first picture, I'm guessing those shots were taken quite some time ago?
Thanks for loading those pictures. Your B-25 is gorgeous. Based on the rather old looking copy of RCM in the first picture, I'm guessing those shots were taken quite some time ago?