CHAWKJIM

It is finally here and I have the white zero. Here are some photos of me unpacking. First thing I see is how well it is packaged. There is not a scratch on any parts. What a beautiful plane. I purchased the combo with retracts. What do you think? Can you tell I cannot stop smiling. I have been waiting for this for 3 months. I have not made up my mind on an engine. DA85 or Zenoah G62. Well I'm done for tonight and will start with the wings tomorrow.

whstlngdeath

My Feedback: (15)

That is one big box! Looks like Santa came early in Fla. Keep us posted.

PS, you may need the nose weight, the Zenoah may be the engine to choose.

Jesse

CHAWKJIM

Well I woke up this morning with that same smile on my face. Walked out to the garage just to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Today I start assembly and will Photo all steps and enter as often as I can.

TBM had the nose extended from the prototype. They said you need no weight with DA85, so if I go with the Zenoah g62 I will try to build with everything forward.

F-15J_JSDF

I love the Zero, May I ask who the maker is and for a link please ....


Thank you

maddog-RCU

My Feedback: (23)

Here is the link for TBM.
http://www.troybuiltmodels.com/

F-15J_JSDF

Thank you for the link ....

butlern

My Feedback: (15)

CHAWKJIM,

Did you have TMB ship it to you directly, or did your drive up to Sarasota to pick it up? Just curious... I ask because although the components appear well-packed, the cardboard box looks (very) flimsy. I would hate to receive a plane with shipping damage and have to go through all those hoops.

Thanks,

Noah

CHAWKJIM

When I opened the box I felt like they were tricking me, There was another box inside the outside box. I did pick it up in Sarasota, however I must say the package was well packed it was taped in place in foam and bubble wrapped . I don't think you will have any problem with shipping. They spent the time to make this safe for shipping.

F-15J_JSDF

Looking at the web site, this plane looks like the ULTRA 92" Mitsubishi Zero. The Tail Numbers are the same and the plane photos are the same ... I am just wondering if it is the same plane

This is the ULTRA ...
http://www.ultra-rc.com/products/zero/index.htm


If it is the same plane I can buy it here in Japan is stead of having it shipped from the USA.... What do you guys think, it is the same Aircraft??

Taildragger726

Hi CHAWKJIM, That thing looks great!!!!

CHAWKJIM

Tonight I installed the wing servos, ailerons and flaps. I then fitted the main gear retracts. The cutout needed a little work as you can see from the photos. To do this use a razor blade. This will cut it perfect and the surface is soft enough to use a blade. Tomorrow I will go to the hardware store for the retract socket head bolts . When I finish this I will start on the

Bill Hatcher

My Feedback: (2)

No F15J it is not the same plane. Look at the one from Troy Built. It has a 3 piece wing where the Ultra has a 2 piece wing. The TBM plane comes with the Retracts, The cockpit, The Belly tank, and all hardware.

CHAWKJIM

Hi Toni This thing is great. I should be test flying within a 2 weeks.

damagedgoodes

As the TBM site says they made over 28 changes to the prototype they received. I would say that "prototype" was the model Ultra RC were selling (which I have) from whomever in China manafactures it. Read their discription of how they made it into a 3 piece wing and lengthened the cowl to reduce ballast required. Hopefully they corrected the issue which Ultra had with the weak landing gear area in the wing, ie rubbish wood for the rails and weak ribs. Good luck with the project,
Dave

F-15J_JSDF

Damagedgoodes,

Thanks Mate for the Information . I want a Mitsubishi Zero, but the problem is getting them in Japan.




CHAWKJIM,

Congrats on the Getting the Zero, can not wait to see it finished and flying.

damagedgoodes

Choice Reply Bro.... I didn't read Bill's label properly when he posted to see that he works for TBM. They even use the rubbish manual that Ultra RC used with the TBM pics added at the end for their differences. If you're interested i can tell you that the Ultra RC Zero was one of the worst ARF's i've ever had. The fin is crooked (no easy fix for that as it's moulded that way...)the two halves of the fuselage were not mated properly, very average fiberglass work, the wing needed so much work beefing up the retract areas, poor fabric type covering on the wing and hori stab's that wrinkles all the time, the robart retracts (that the plane is designed to accept...yeah right) didn't sit properly in the wing which meant that the wheels protrude below the wing surface into the airflow. Cracked and completely briken ribs in the wing that were not fixed during building of the wings etc. Lots of other little things that are very average for an expensive ARF. I was lucky in a way because i bought mine just before Ultra RC closed when the aussie dollar was pretty good, and had it shipped direct to me by the USAF on their weekly KC10 mission to Alice Springs for two cases of beer and a bottle of wine. The TBM would want to be a huge improvement for me to consider buying another, and really good on them for trying to make it better, but ultimately the construction comes out of the factory and their workers so unless TBM have whipped them into shape, same horse different jockey. Why not wait and see what ESM, KMP, Yt International (all the same ) bring out hopefully soon, as rumor has it they will be doing 50cc warbirds soon, and i have lots of their models. Chalk and Cheese really,
Dave

F-15J_JSDF

Dave,

OK so the Ultra is a piece of junk, ok then not wasting money on that then ... NEXT .... Will have a look see at ESM, KMP, Yt International. Plan on Getting a Zero and Spitfire, to fly when not taking the Skymaster F-15 Jet out to burn fossil fuel.


You an Aussie, Perth boy my self, moved to Japan in 2003 tired of the way OZ is going.

damagedgoodes

Not a total piece of junk, but required a lot of extra work. Spent more time fixing the stuff ups and inadequicies of the kit than i should have. Mind you you get what you pay for, it is in no way close to the quality of something like the SisT Fw 190 or Robart P47 but also a lot less money. The ESM warbird are really nice, their Spit is my favorite plane, so easy to fly, but also only 120FS size. Grew up in Melbourne and lived in Perth 2001-2003 in Freo. Went there for work and would love to live there agian in the future. Had to come to Alice for work (I'm an Air Traffic Controller) and love it here as well but it's a bloody long walk to the beach...
Dave

F-15J_JSDF

I am looking at the Kyosho 90 Spitfire with a Saito 125, but I would like something a bit bigger if I can find it .... I was looking at the Ultra 92" with a Saito Radial Motor in it



as I have seen a few ZEROs on [link=http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=juMi89NPbBA]Youtube[/link] using the Saito motor and they look and sound great. I like the look of the TBM Zero and in White she is really nice.

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

If this person does indeed, represent TBM, as his signature would suggest, he is WAAAY out if line here.

Edit, a little past post checking shows that he is connected to TBM. Is this how TBM treats modelers? I hope not.

F-15J_JSDF

Nothing to Worry about mate, it was a little miss understanding. Mr Hatcher assumed I was Selling the Ultra Mitsubishi, the only thing I make and Sell are Australian Style Meat Pies here in Japan, like this TEX MEX MEAT PIE,

and they do not fly very well at all.[sm=teeth_smile.gif]

Mr Hatcher and I have spoken in PM and I will be purchasing a TBM Zero some time after Christmas if all goes to plan.




So I will be following CHAWKJIM build of the model very very closely.




CHAWKJIM ,

Can I get Permission to Save any photos you post on this thread of your build please, so I can use as Reference. Thank you.

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

Bill also sent me note of apology. He appears to be a stand-up guy.

Garlaan

The TBM Zero is a beautiful plane, both the green and white! As a profesional packer, I too was pleased when I opened one to see if it would require any aditional prep. prior to shipping. All of the parts and hardware are wrapped in bubble wrap and secured snugly in place.
I hope you enjoy your new TBM ZERO!
Mark

CHAWKJIM

I mounted the main gear today, and started the rear retract tail wheel. The rudder is hinged and epoxied in place. This plane is going together very nice.

F-15J I have no problem with you saving any photos that is why I post them.

MANFRED

My Feedback: (27)

Those gear door look about as far off from scale as can be.