RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Sorry I've never run a gasser before did not know that thanks !

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Here is the progress so far. I have the engine about 1 1/4" foward. so the cowl is away from the fire wall. The exhaust that I made from copper tubin weighed just over a 1 pound, so i took it and let a feriend make one out of aluminum, much lighter. I am going to use small pieces of fiberglass from an old cowl to take the cowl back over the firewall. Sand blast the exhaust and paint black later as well.
I now have the battery just behind the former where the two wing bolts are that hold on the wing. She is ballanced @ 5 3/8". In one of the pics you can see REAL exhaust deposit on top the wing and the side of the fuse. She is rich so i will lean her later. Im planing to fly here this way before doing anymore work to her. Want to feel her ballance and power.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

NIce job , you may want to sell those babies , that is nice exust system !!!
Again not to be a party pooper , but make sure what appears to be a copper hold on ring is super snug so your not getting to hard points to vibrate if so simply insulate that with rubber , or loosen it , then fill the area with high temp engine gasket maker again I may be anal on this subject but all the gas guys tell me no -medal to medal contact in that area , regardless of 2.4 system or regular system

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Jus Took her out for a eng run, balance and power test. hers a very short Video.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOvxNj0D0RE

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Looks good ! I do have a question or two I think the exhaust set up you have is really really cool, however the exhaust being in such close proximity to the LE wing skin aren't you afraid this may cause an issue ? perhaps warp the wing or maybe even catch something on fire, have you or do you for see any problems ? I hope the answer is no because I would be very interested to attempt this set up , good to have someone show us the way, thanks and good luck

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Well guys finally got mine done I will post some pictures as soon as I get back from vacation , it actually came out better then I thought

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Pic as promised ! to bad the weather sucks outside I would have loved to see how she flys

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

few more of the cockpit I spent two weeks on LOL !

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

I would like to weather this plane but I've never done it before can anyone point me to a thread or a how to tech article ? I'm not to happy with the cowl markings so I'll probably sand those down and re paint the cowl solid flat black

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

this is actually the color scheme I was going for

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Post #50 of this thread is how I did mine. Don't know if its up to par for you, but its convincing for me and a lot who have seen it.

Great job with your model!

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Thanks for the compliment , it was post 49 and that is pretty much the effect I was after, how did you do it ? some instruction would be greatly appreciated buddy ol pal LOL

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Excellent Zeros!!!
Excellent work!!;)

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

For weathering, I have a couple of pics of models in two different stages of weathering, hvy weathering and moderate.
These are what I am using for basis, would you like for me to post?

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

BY all means post away !

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

I used just plain ole Testors Model Master Enamel - Aluminum. The water wash up acrylic isn't opaque enough. You might need to thin it down a little so it will flow better. You can go back over the thin areas later if you need to. Paint is applied with various sized brushes in the random patterns you see. Kind of like a big, giant plastic model! Draw out some panel lines on the wings from a good set of basic 3-view drawings. Start with the major lines and features. I like a extra-fine sharpie marker and several sized rulers and straight edges for this or you can buy an overpriced pen for model airplane use. If you have several smaller repetitive patterns to make, create a template so they will be consistant is size and shape. Get some charcoal pencils from the art store or somewhere like Hobby Lobby (crafts store). Rub into the panel lines with different heaviness and smudge out with Q-tips or fingers. Some are available in black and different color greys. Do a little at first, more if you want. Try to put in some also into angles on the fuselage and wings, not just straight lines. This brings out the depth of the panel lines. Just be creative and have fun. Remember this is a war-hardened flying machine, abused and imperfect by a long shot. These aircraft didn't always get the TLC that they should have, especially since pilots and ground crew were becoming scarce and hard to come by at times. You can also cut out some accent panels like thin styrene plastic patterns and glue on for aluminum repair patches. They can be in aluminum color or even a slightly different shade of green. Try out some of your ideas on practice swatches first if you have any confidence issues. Make it look beat up without overdoing it. Take your time and don't try to do it all at one sitting, come back to it several times.

You can do a great job, I'm sure! Best of Luck.;)

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Ok seems I'll give it a go ! I'll post pic when I'm done thanks for the 411
, well I did go and take the markings off the cowl I'm happier with the look now, what do you guys think ?

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Pic

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Yep, Better!

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

I assume after weathering I should hit it with a coat of lustercoat flat clear ? to seal everything, just gotta work up enough nerve to get started. LOL

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

You can, but I never did with mine. I flew with gas and didn't have all the exhaust oil residue like you would find with glow. I guess it depends on what powers your bird. Remember, you are making a clean airplane look dirty and worn. I think it adds character to just just let things be dirty. The paint will just add weight if you ask me.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Yeah but I am running glow a thunder tiger 120 to be exact, post #4 if you want to see pic , I have had the engine NIB for some time and it was a perfect fit in the cowl no cutting except for the exhaust if i ever do another one of this size I would probably go with a DLE30

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

I would use flat clearcoat to flatten any silver paint used for weathering and to protect all of your costum weathering work.
Not too good to have a semi-gloss/satin finished ARF with glossy silver specks all over.....
Matter of fact, I'd use satin clear for the cowl and flat for the rest.;)

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

OK, then. Flat coat away!