RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

I'll bet that it has a cool sound!

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

With the engine i tested it with it gave a much deeper tone so yeah it does sound and look pretty cool

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

You guys are doing some amazing things with the ARF! That exhaust looks great! I'm gonna explore that avenue for my Bates Bearcat. I wonder if 1100 degree silver solder would hold up, or will the copper melt at that temp?

FWIW, I've been flying my CMP Zero since 2006. It is modded a bit for strength, but nothing like you guys are doing (mainly in the gear and wing mount areas) and I repainted it with Warbird Colors paint when it was new. It's had a few unfortunate meetups with Terra Firma, mostly due to dead sticks into the rough, caused by overheating issues on my RCV 120SP, but it's still flying great, and even looks decent! It's only ever been flown off a bumpy grass field. One of these days, I'm gonna pull the covering off, glass the wings and tail and repaint it. It's a great flying airplane and very docile for a warbird. Mine weighs about 15 lbs, and even with no flaps, slows down to a walk for landing. It flies very "light" with no bad tendencies. The first pics were taken while I was assembling it in the summer of '06, and the last 2 were taken at the end of January.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Zero = exhaust is looking great....lovin' it!

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

I can't take all the credit you showed me the way buddy ! I'm so glad I went with the yellow cowl its roomier and unlike the stock cowl it flares out which gives me some much needed space, I marvel at how you were able to get yours working and looking good with such limited space so cudos to you too pal

the only thing that has me a little concerned is such high heat from the exhaust being so close to the fuse I'm worried it might warp or even burn the fiberglass but seeing your gives me hope so I got my fingers crossed LOL

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

OK guys a little brain storming on my part but what do you guys think about cutting out the highlighted areas ( just the squares) and installing some thin metal plate ? my reasoning is that if I replace these small sections with plate it would better protect the fuse from heat any thoughts ? anyone ?

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Tripower Looks great ! she needs a little more weathering, What engine are you running ?

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Zero - from what I can see in the photos, you have ample room...wouldn't worry about too much heat into the glass areas. Keep in mind, when heat is being generated, there is airflow through teh cowl and over the exhaust...it's not getting hot in stagnant air.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

It looks like the cowel would be more of a problem than the fuse. I don't know.......:eek:

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

One of these days, I'll get around to weathering it! Too many projects, not enough time. It's got an RCV 120SP in it. I got the airframe basically to break in this engine so I could then move it to my TF Corsair, but I liked the combo so much, that I just kept it in the Zero.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Seems like its a really nice fit , I read the reviews on it on RCU and the first couple lead one to believe it wouldn't preform very well with a plane that has a high wing load
would you please share some insight on your personal experience with this engine ?

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

It hauls the Zero around very well. It swings a large diameter, high pitch prop at relatively low prop rpm (5000 wide open). It will fly with a scale diameter 3 blade prop on the Zero (which in this case is 19" IIRC), but I've been using a 17x13 2 blade, mainly because they are easy to get, run it in the proper rpm range, and are the inexpensive. I've also run a 15.5x13 3 blade (in the pics above) and there's no noticeable difference in performance. I prefer the looks of the larger prop arc when it's flying. It's very apparent with that thick, 13" pitch prop.

The Zero flies flies pretty close to what I see as scale speed. I cruise it around at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle and it runs FOREVER on the stock CMP tank. It will ldo a decent sized loop from level flight, but it is no 3D or pattern plane in the vertical. As I mentioned before, this zero flies very "light", if you know what I mean. I haven't figured out what the wing loading is, but it weighs close to 15 lbs, and still floats in like a trainer (well, almost!) on landing, which is probably why mine is still flying! I had some pretty hairy dead sticks with it early on, and, with one exception, was always able to glide it back to a runway.

These engines are not for the lazy or impatient. They take a lot of break in running (like 2-3 gallons) and are pretty finicky with regards to fuel. The first hour or so you'll wonder what you've gotten yourself into. There are a lot of bearing surfaces that need to lap themselves in, and for the first few hours of break in, they vibrate like the dickens. I ran mine on the bench for several hours before even installing it in an airplane. The vibration was so bad, that it turned the muffler threads to gray mud.

I had some major overheating and idle issues at first using Omega 10% (castor/synthetic blend). It wouldn't idle without glow heat (I've got an onboard driver in the zero). I switched to 100% synthetic Cool Power, and it's like a new engine. 1 flip starts, idles like a V8, even without the glow driver (although I left it in there, because it's so convenient to start it!) and transistions smoothly.

The RCVs have a very unique sound. Low pitch, and you can hear the gear noise when they run. EVERY time I fly one of these (I've also got a 60SP and a 91CD, neither of which are in flying planes at the moment), I get the "your bearings are going bad" (they're not) comment from the spectators.

I also pulled the dummy engine out of the cowl at the same time I switched fuels, and have had no overheating issues since. I've been enjoying flying it so I haven't messed with it.

It fits completely within the cowl, and would be pretty easy to make a scale functional exhaust (another thing on the "to do" list). I can't take it to the field without explaining how it works to someone.

Before I got the issues sorted out, I was going to pull it out and replace it with a ST2300 or a small gasser, but I love the thing now. I've got a TF Corsair that needs an engine, and I think I'm gonna get the 90SP for it.

I was gonna fly the Zero today, but my retract valve mount broke, so I just put it back in the trailer. I'll probably head out tomorrow and put a few flights on it.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Nice work Zero. I will soggiest to you to use thin aluminium plate used for offset printing (I think you call it Litho plate). It can be found in any Offset printing company (used ones are good too) with thickness 0.15 and 0.30 mm.
This plates are easy to shape (rivets) and to cut (scalpel and scissors). You can color this plates, and then remove some parts of color, and then original silver plate color will be seen on some parts, and it will match your beautiful weathering..

PS Maybe you can post some video, so we can here music from your new exhaust

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

I went this weekend to Novi Sad, to workshop of my friend Mirce, and we (read he) have started work on wing glassing.
After that he will add rivets, panel lines, and after that 7 passes of color. I will continue work on fuselage, and after that we will
add weathering on whole model

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Misha is right about the Litho plate. You can get them from any new paper printer for nothing. It will be scale too as indicated by the photo below.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

thanks guys that was pretty much my feeling exactly not only would it look good from a scale sense but it may actually hep and be functional feature

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Hello guys, here is few more photos of work on Misha's wing.

As you can see on Misha's photo, at Saturday I was adding one layer of 27 gr glass cloth on the top side of the wing. I use Germany R&G resin for this job. Glass cloth is from same firm...
First I cause epoxy resin on surface, and with plastic credit card stretched it over the entire surface.
Than very carefully lay glass cloth (this is the most critical part) on the top of the wing... If you must pick up glass from surface that can be a problem, because glass is very thin and easy to crowd.
Next step is to tight glass starting from middle of the wing to edges.
When glass was stretched, with credit card squeeze out excess resin...
That was all for first day...

Next day, at Sunday, with sharp knife I cut away excess of glass cloth and sand edges. After that I put glass cloth on the bottom side of the wing, using same method like day before...

At Monday, same process, cut away excess of glass cloth...

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...erzic/5-37.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...erzic/7-32.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...erzic/8-30.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...erzic/9-30.jpg

Some edges were wavy, but that I sand off. Lap from the upper and lower glass cloth is more than 20 mm...

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...erzic/6-35.jpg

Next step was to smooth sand both sides of the wing. For that job I use 240 sand paper...

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...rzic/11-26.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...erzic/3-38.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...erzic/2-38.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...erzic/1-37.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...rzic/12-24.jpg

Wing is now very smooth, but you can see little holes from glass cloth.

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...rzic/13-22.jpg

At Monday evening, I have adding one more (second) very thick layer of epoxy resin on upper surface... Wing is now like a mirror...

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...erzic/8-31.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...erzic/6-36.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...erzic/7-33.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...erzic/9-31.jpg

Now I have to wait until tomorrow to dry the second layer of resin...

Regards

Mirce

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Mirce is working realy fast, and I have to hurry with fuselage finish, because plan is to finish all work within
two weeks and then to meet and do weathering, and final painting.
Several things have been made this afternoon.

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4986/dscn2032s.jpg

As I wanted to have some kind of control panel,
(first idea was to make sliding canopy, but as I did not have scale cockpit and full scale pilot, this idea is on hold for now)
I have made some kind of panel that will be mount on the side of fuselage.

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/7015/dscn2033a.jpg

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/1282/dscn2036u.jpg

A have also drew new servo mount plate, that I will glue on the existing plate.
This is because I did not like original setup. Original idea is much cleaner because linkages are inside of fuselage
but I think that that pushrods are haeavu, and also not very firm. I will go with two sevos and bowden push rods.

http://img852.imageshack.us/img852/3650/dscn2039.jpg

Third thing that is made is mounting for servo and pneumatic ventil.

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/8148/dscn2040h.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/340/dscn2041c.jpg


All of this things are made from 4 mm light ply, and cut with laser.

Here is video, of test instalation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1AGWMQfofc

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Really nice!

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Wow ! Misha that looks to be a really nice setup ! I think collectively we have all shown what a little re engineering can do to the look and functionality for this bird, maybe we should send this thread to CMP with a note that says "hey guys this is how its suppose to be done !" LOL

Misha let me know I can probably provide you with allot of extra parts for a cockpit, when I made mine I made many more pieces then I could have used, need less to say I have many parts laying around your more then welcome to them. let me know

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Thanks guys, and Zero-322, thank you for your kindly offer.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Nothing all that spectacular to share other then I got the cowl primed and got the one side of the exhaust plumbed and fitting nice, was a pain to get the clearances correct but I got it ! LOL
I think I'm going to finish up the other side first before cutting out those small front sections of the fuse and installing the thin metal plate I also found a pretty cool spot to hide the battery switches "stay tuned ! "

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Here is a product from BVM to help protect your cowl from the exhaust and engine heat.
[center]

Two to three brushed on coats of this water based, ceramic material, "Heat Shield" will protect those exposed parts of your model. Simply treat the inside of the engine cowl (piston engines) or the inside of the aft fuselage (turbine) and the surface temperature of the model will remain cool. In the unusual case of a turbine tailpipe fire on start up, you will have several seconds longer to extinguish it before any damage to the model occurs.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Thanks for the 411 would you by chance have a link or perhaps know where i could get it locally?

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

As far as I know, BVM is the only place. That is where I bought mine.