PK's Z3

[pk-surfing]

PK's Ritewing Z3

I was fortunate to get one of the first of the Z3's thanks to the hard work put in by Dogzilla but then work took over so the build went on hold for a few weeks.

It's finished now and ready for it's maiden flight if the weather is ok this coming weekend

Motor is Turnigy Aerodrive SK3 - 3542-1250kv
10x6 APC prop
Servos Hitec HS5485
Vector flight controller with air speed indicator
IRC 2.4 vtx
Turnigy Plush 60a esc at the moment but getting swapped for a YEP 80a esc

the plane was sprayed with PlastiDip white ruberised paint then the clear lam added, the spray paint gave a nice coating on the foam and the lam stuck to it very well.

I had been concerned that it wouldn't balance out with two 4S 3300 lipos up front (I have a few of these for my Z2) but once I had ther motor mounted as far back as I could and the prop on it all balanced spot on, however most likely will fly it using my 4S 5000 hard pack lipos.

I'm also going to turn the motor round and bring it in board on the mount as this will give better support and minimise the chance of motor vibration (prop is balance)


piccy of the underside (daughters writing on the tool box... from when she was 7 !)


couple of bead headed pins at the C of G point, easy to feel


Elevon horns and carbon fibre rods


ball joint connector at the servo's (Hitec HS5485)


Vtx in 3D printed holder


Vtx held in with strong grip velcor I had from somewhere


Short USB lead for easy connection to the Vector flight controller


Vector flight controller and current sensor etc


Receiver, air  speed sensor and the GPS/Magnetometer


Hardpack 4S 5000 lipo fits and balances the C of G just nice (use these on my DJ 550)


2no 4S 3300's fit but they have to be kept right back to get the C of G


and a piccy with all the hatches open

[Coyote]

That's very smart Paul, love the paint job :)

[bignose13]

Looks the mutz nutz mate

[Dizzy]

Lovely job love that paintwork a work of art in itself  :D

dizzy :)

[Ratty]

Looks great PK.

Pretty much the exact same set up as I am using. Let us know how the maiden goes and what flight times you get ect please.

[Billy_boy_2010]

Wow fantastic.

Out of interest- why have you chosen 1 x 5000 over two 3300s?

[Badlands]

Very well thought out build Paul.

Where did u get your carbon fibre pushrods from?

[pk-surfing]

Very well thought out build Paul.

Where did u get your carbon fibre pushrods from?

Found them on Ebay, this seller does 2mm and 3mm CF so I got a set of each to try and decided on the 2mm.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2mm-Push-Rods-Carbon-Fibre-4-Clevises-Couplers-/160819275275?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item257193660b

item number 160819275275 if that link doesn't work

Very stiff and it means I have the 3mm ones to use on a Z2 kit still in the box (spare for when I smash up my first one  :) )

PK  :)

[pk-surfing]

Wow fantastic.

Out of interest- why have you chosen 1 x 5000 over two 3300s?

Hi Billy,

Not decided for definite just yet but the single 5000 means I don't need to use a 'Y' connector and it's a bit lighter than the two 3300's so will probably use that for the maiden at least to keep it light for the first launch.

Benefit of the two 3300's is they fit nice and snug in the space so no sideways movement, and give me that bit extra capacity.

I still need to decide how to strap the lipos in and stop them moving forwards, I usually superglue a velcro strap across the battery bay as well as velcro on the lipos anf floor, job for tomorrow night.

PK  :)

[iPeel]

Benefit of the two 3300's is they fit nice and snug in the space so no sideways movement, and give me that bit extra capacity.

You also get lower current draw per battery when you open up the taps, battery C ratings are a bit like depth ratings on watches. I find on a 9x6 mine draws just under 60a on full power.

Nice build BTW, that coating's going to look great when the sun's reflecting on it!

[mark1975]

Looking very nice Paul..

[pk-surfing]

A couple more piccy's,

I've added some more bling on the wing, blue reflective film on the top side


And I've hot glued the camera menu button board up front in the front bay, theres a piece of aluminium angle with foam buffer epoxied to the underside of the ply battery plate and to the bottom of the bay to act as a stop when I'm putting the lipo in.


Just need to calibrate the Vector compass and a bit of decent weather and its going to get thrown skywards  :)

PK  :)

[Ratty]

Good luck with the maiden.  :D

[Billy_boy_2010]

Looks fantastic.

Out of interest- why haven't you chosen a greater distance between the Rx and video Tx.

Too tricky with the removable wings?
Close range plane only?

[mr_s81]

Loving the design on the top! Very nice plane, looks very purposeful!