RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Well, I' am happy to announce that my Zero has learned to fly.

Maiden flight was yesterday. Weather was beautiful for flying, and only two models on field.
After days and days of checking and again checking, we went on the field, did range test,
tune up a little bit low and high needle, and my friend and test pilot Coka (Predrag Pantic)
took plane to sky. Very short run before take of, and in flight it was sharp on turns, but
flies beautiful with 50-60% throttle. Prop was 18/6 and it was not good in air as at ground level.
For second flight I have change it for 18/8 and it was much better. Motor has 7500-7600 revs (1500 less
than with 18/6) but flies phenomenal. Enough power for take of and for warbird style flying.
After second take off, i was able to fly my biggest and most challenging plane that I had.
Feeling was beautiful.

As we were too much excited, none of us took photos of plane in the air, so you can see it on the ground.
Hope I will post video of maiden tomorrow, and all setup changes that I have made so you can have
some valuable starting data for your maiden flights.

Best regards to all

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Congradulations on the sucessful maiden. Glad it went well. What cg did you finally use?

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

These are the retracts I got to use in my Zero.[link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLG410#quickSupport]E-Flite 85 degree electric retracts[/link]. They will support up to a 15lbs airplane. I haven't built the plane yet BTW.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo...FLG410-450.jpg

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

:D:D:D:D:D:D:DVery happy for you!!

Now I'm just waiting for the video!!

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Thank you.

Well, this is it. A little recapitulation.

Wingspan 1800mm
Length 1525mm
Wing Loading 84~87 dm/2
Airfoil Naca 2415
Wing Area 57 dm/2

Motor Zenoah 26sc
Tank 500 ml
Graupner Sonic 18/6 prop

Radio Control Optima 9 ch
11 servos
Air retracts
Split flaps
...

Weight with empty tank is 8.4 kg (18.5 pound)

No matter that it has big retracts, heavy motor.. I had to put almost 300 gr of lead under the cowl to make CG at 130 mm from leading edge
(middle as you told me that on 'your models it is from 120-140 mm)

That is it. Here is short video, hope soon it will be more of it in better quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umRTEb21LTs

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

I watched the video. Looks like your plane flys great even at 18.5 pounds. Mine is only 16 lbs, but partly from mounting batteries forward under the cowling. Now I'm paying for it as 10 months later both batteries are not holding enough charge and need replacing. Probably too much heat and vibration. When I replace them I'll try ducting some cooling air on them. Maybe that will help. Otherwise plane is flying great.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Good job Misha, There is nothing like the feeling of seeing your hard work pay off with a truely beautiful plane on it's successful 1st flight!!!:D

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Hers is a short video of my completed CMP 120 Zero, it has a DLE30 and weights in at 15lbs 2oz, with ESM KI-84 air retracts and two air tanks and Robart hardwear. Beefed up the LG area first flight hit a little hard due to the dead stick landing. But the plane preformed Very Well.. Oh the flame out was caused by a bad engine battery.. Problem fixed will fly this weekenf again.. Can't wait..


http://youtu.be/_l_f9Y8cA7I

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

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RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

I was flying the Zero the other day and had an "arrival" landing. Not real bad but out field is not real smooth this time of the year. Retracts have been a problem. Had Robart 700RS air up spring down. But often they wouldn't lock down. I would land and then on roll out one or the other would fold. Took out, checked installation, took them apart, put back together. Polished and lubed. The extention spring just didn't have enough power to consistantly lock down. Finally replaced with some spring air retracts which I had left over from another (now dead) airplane. But they were bored for a 3/8" robo strut. I had 7/16" Robart struts. So I drilled out the block. It only took off 1/32"from each side. Worked fine. But it left the metal very thin. It broke on the last landing. I then called Down and Locked about getting my 700 Robarts converted to electric. Robarts are strong, robo strut ready and with electric conversion, dependable. But cost was $350 plus shipping. Ouch. Then I discovered Wing Span electric retracts. $174 for a pair. Not cheap but less than Down and Locked and better than the E-Flight electrics because these are robo strut ready. I ordered right away and should have them in a few days. I'll report on their installation and operation.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

I hope that there is no real damage on your plane. Please report us everything regarding new retracts. Hope you will be soon in the air again.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Yeah I want to hear about the Wingspan retracts too.
I have a set of E-Flite electric retracts and a set of struts. I never considered the E-Flite retracts probably won't carry the weight of the struts and wheels.
The Wingspan retracts were developed to accept .5" struts and carry the weight of them.
I'll be real interested to see what kind of performance you get with WS retracts. They look very promising.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

No damage to the plane at all except the right retract. I'll report on the Wing Span Retracts when I get them. They sound like a solution to cronic retract problems. The Spring Airs worked great but were not designed for a 7/16" strut or 16 lb airplane, so I'm not suprised it failed after I drilled it out for the bigger strut.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

I am so bummed and disappointed...


Started getting everything together for beginning the Zero build and found that none of the engines I had planned to use will fit nicely. Both the Saito 325R5 and the ASP 400Rwould require major carving up of the cowl as would the Saito 170R3, so there went my visions of a really great sound.
So then I pulled out the twin engines...No luck there either both the FA130t and the FS160 Gemini again require big holes in the sides of the cowl that I really don't want to deal with...much less see.

I guess I should have done more checking before loading up on so many more motors over the last few years. I'll keep a couple for the FW190 and unload the rest. I guess I though that since the 190 cowl would take them all with ease the Zero would be the same.

Just a big hit to my anticipation and expectations...A single just in no way compares to a radial in there after hearing and seeing it there in my head for so long.[&o]

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Bean, Sorry to hear of your mishap, but glad to hear it wasn't terrible.

I've been hearing and seeing really good words on the WingSpan E-tracts. Just ordered a set of *85's for this project and a pair of actuators for another plane's retrofit. I'm hoping they live up to the hype!;)

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

I got the retracts and got them installed. I was using an old 17ch radio and 4.8V battery while installing running them up and down and seemed to work ok. Then took out all the air system stuff and plugged in Y connection and extensions. Then in worked twice and the slowed and smelled and felt hot and quit. Used 6V battery and Futaba 2.4 receiver. They are on the way back. They looked strong and didn't have too much slop. They would be great if they worked. On the way back tomorrow.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

!!!!! [X(] :D

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Well, that's not good.[X(]
Did you smoke both of them or just one?

(aside; "There has only been a limited amount of smoke installed in this electronic device. Do not, under any circumstance, allow any of the smoke to escape said device. Should any smoke be allowed to exit the device, operability will be degraded or the device may cease to function altogether. Smoke can not be reinstalled except at the factory and is not a user replacable part.")

I thought I had a set of these on the way but apparently the order didn't process and my paypal was not charged.....may give these a bit more time in the field before attempting another order.[&o]

Please keep us posted.

(I get the feeling maybe I'm not really supposed to start this one(Zero) yet after all. First all of my engine options fizzle, then the E-tract options seem less than hoped for.........Maybe the FW-190 shouldn't have been bumped in the que after all:eek:)

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Well that didn't take long. Disappointing...................

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Hey Frets if you want a nice engine sound maybe the Saito 200Ti, I have one in a ESM Hurricane But would sound great in the Zero & if any cutting was required it would only be a little on the underside.
Engine sounds great esp on a half throttle pass.
Steff.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Some kinds of electric retracts, have problem if you try to open them and than close them without waiting to finish cycle.
Than it can fail. Also maybe they have to work on 4.8V?

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

I have looked at that over the weekend. Thanks for the suggestion. Do they do well inverted?

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Yes they run great inverted, mine needs the low needle leaned off a little after more flight time, they are set very rich from factory, but she hasn't missed a beat, very easy to start & has alot of torque, my Hurricane comes in over the 20lb mark & with a 18X10 xoar wood it pulls it around with a fair amount of speed, verticle performance is good to.
I,m sure your,ve seen one of my vid,s with the 200.
Steff.

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

The lastest vid of the Hurricane in case you havn't seen one !!;).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2IbwAzic74

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
 

Thanks for info and vid Steff.

Well, that about clinches it then, I'm now officially in the market for an FA-200Ti.
I run just about exclusively Saitos and most of them inverted. I was a little curious as to the 200Ti's performance inverted with just a single needle carby since the multi cyls on single carbys sometimes tend to load up on one cyl sometimes...especially the radials. Thanks for clearing that up. Are you running any OB glow booster for low rpm?