hi guys
So I'm building a Z3 and a few questions have come up so thought I would post them up and turn it into a bit of a build video too.
1) I will be laminating the entire plane. I have never bothered to paint my planes before- but I have some ooracover lying around and figure I may as well use this. It seems a quick way of making the plane look nicer. I intend to ooracover both wings and maybe some of the fuselage and then laminate over the top.
the ooracover appears to stick to the foam fairly well. Im not sure how well the laminate will stick to the oracover- any ideas? I could put a base layer of spray glue down first, or after the ooracover. I did this with an EPP wing. But not sure if it's necassary for this?
2) there are channels on the bottom of each wing for lighting. I have used one to channel the reciever to the outside. As the wings come off- the fewer components I have on the end of the wing the better as it means plugging everything in each time. I'm not sure if it's worth routing the video tx on the other wing? I suppose it may be even if it means more wiring hassle......
3) the Drak uses Velcro to attach the wings. The z3 used rubber band things. Any preferences? As the Velcro is the latest solution by Chris I assume it's probably the best method?
Any thoughts would be great thanks.
Hi,
For 1) I'd say the lam will stick very well to the oracover without any spray glue, the lam film has it's own thin layer of heat activated glue and It's goijng to love sticking to the smooth oracover, you might find air bubbles if you don't get it down flat as you go but a pin to pop any 'blisters' will fix that.
2) On my Z3 I've got all my gear on the main centre fuselage section and filled the wing slots, whish I'd put strip leds in them now but too late.
3) I've a Z3 and a Drak, the 'O' rings work fine but then I leave my Z3 fully assembled, likewise the velcro on the Drak also works fine and I do take the wings off for transporting.
PK :)
I've built a couple of wings now, and I've always laminated first, and then used profilm on top of the lam. The laminate seems to stick better to EPP (and EPO like the Z3) and the profilm goes on nicely to the laminate. It holds up really well, plus it is easy to change colourschemes if you want to at a later date.
Profilm = oracover, same stuff...
I'll be doing the same with my Drak (and Z3 when I get round to building it), although I may push the boat out and use printed vinyl instead...
Cheers
Andy
Interesting- so one person thinks under the lam the other thinks over the lam.
I would prefer under the lam as it will be tidy and harder to peel. I guess I could put a thin layer of spray glue under the orafilm so it's definitely stuck down well. Then the laminate will stick well over the top?
Maybe just try a scrap bit of the orafilm direct onto the foam somewhere not too obvious, if it sticks well and not easy to peel off then your sorted.
If it doesn't stick well then laminate first, but I think it will stick fine if you get the temp right.
PK :)
on my mini zephyr I lammed it and stuck the solarfilm over that. stuck really well.
/Steve
Thanks guys. I tested a bit and it stuck pretty well tbh. I'm going to wait for the lam to arrive and then try that and see which sticks best. If it's equal then the solar film is going down first for sure so it keeps its shine and stays clean.
how many of you guys fit the wing tips to their z3? I would imagine they reduce the stall speed a little?
seems like it would make it a fair bit less portable unless you made them removeable?
I fitted mine as protection and that's all, stops the tips getting stuffed on rough landing, they work well.
Another question please guys- how many of you fly your z3 with the cortex wing tip things? They look a pita to fit and if I want them detachable even harder. Does it make a real difference to low speed lift? Any other benefits?
Thanks- nearly done with the build- aiming for a maiden on Sunday!
You could mount them using captive nuts and nylon screws I was going to do this on my mini z but ended up gluing them. You can get the captive nuts and nylon screws that fit them from a model shop usually used for wing bolts on balsa planes...
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As it happens I bought some just a few hours ago. The z3 uses them for hatches so I just bought a few extra.
But they won't arrive in time for the maiden. The whole point of the z3 is its ability to collapse so I either glue them on with a weak glue just for the maiden, or I take the chance and maiden without them- and fit them in a week or so....
I glued mine on tight. They are so small that they really didn't cause any problem when it comes to breaking the wings down.
I've heard the Z3 will fly without them but for a maiden I'd be inclined to leave them on. The more yaw stability you have on launch the better!
BTW if you want to remove em to fit some captive nuts later, use a small light bead of hot glue. (over the laminated end piece)
Should come off relatively easily.
Ah thanks man. Will ft them and hopefully maiden this weekend weather permitting.
I will launch- my friend is flying it as he's much much better LOS than me. It's quite intimidating with that massive motor on it.
Good luck mate just give it full beans and a good throw :)
Just a note hot glue comes off really easily if you use surgical spirit to work it off.
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