NitroPlanes .50 Zero

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   After a radio glitch destroyed my CMP .50 Zero, I bought another ARF.  This one is from NitroPlanes and is a "knockoff" of the little CMP Zero.  I decided to add a few goodies to this one.  Though it is just an ARF, it can be made to look pretty nice with a little extra work.

First off, I did away with the exterior aileron linkages and horns and installed rotary aileron drivers.  This is a nice touch to any plane and is not difficult to pull off.  An aileron servo is buried in each side of the wing and actuates a torque rod that works each aileron.  I make my own rotary aileron drivers but they can be purchased from www.irfmachineworks.com.  The torque rods actually exert more force on the aileron than a standard linkage, and the cool factor is, in my opinion, pretty nice.

Next, I brought the tail feather linkages inside the plane.  Once again, I didn't want rods and horns outside.  Per the instructions, the rudder is actuated using pull-pull cables.  I nixed this and copied Top Flite's approach by making an actuator lever that could be linked to a control rod.  I also used Top Flite's approach on the split elevator by using a torque rod to tie both elevator halves together.  The elevator rod is then connected to a pushrod inside the fuselage.

I put the RCV 60SP in and added an APC15.75x13 3-blade (bobbed to 14" dia.).  I'm just a sucker for big, 3-blade props!  I topped this off with a Zero profile spinner I made from bass wood discs epoxied together and sanded to shape on my drill press.  Spinners with the correct profile and cut for 3 blades are impossible to find for this size Zero.

I probably should have added weathering, but I'm itching to fly the plane.

Here are some pics. 

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LamarL Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List QCRCC Members Joined: 24 March 2009 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 69	Quote Reply Topic: NitroPlanes .50 Zero Posted: 19 June 2010 at 10:51am
	After a radio glitch destroyed my CMP .50 Zero, I bought another ARF. This one is from NitroPlanes and is a "knockoff" of the little CMP Zero. I decided to add a few goodies to this one. Though it is just an ARF, it can be made to look pretty nice with a little extra work. First off, I did away with the exterior aileron linkages and horns and installed rotary aileron drivers. This is a nice touch to any plane and is not difficult to pull off. An aileron servo is buried in each side of the wing and actuates a torque rod that works each aileron. I make my own rotary aileron drivers but they can be purchased from www.irfmachineworks.com. The torque rods actually exert more force on the aileron than a standard linkage, and the cool factor is, in my opinion, pretty nice. Next, I brought the tail feather linkages inside the plane. Once again, I didn't want rods and horns outside. Per the instructions, the rudder is actuated using pull-pull cables. I nixed this and copied Top Flite's approach by making an actuator lever that could be linked to a control rod. I also used Top Flite's approach on the split elevator by using a torque rod to tie both elevator halves together. The elevator rod is then connected to a pushrod inside the fuselage. I put the RCV 60SP in and added an APC15.75x13 3-blade (bobbed to 14" dia.). I'm just a sucker for big, 3-blade props! I topped this off with a Zero profile spinner I made from bass wood discs epoxied together and sanded to shape on my drill press. Spinners with the correct profile and cut for 3 blades are impossible to find for this size Zero. I probably should have added weathering, but I'm itching to fly the plane. Here are some pics.

LamarL Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List QCRCC Members Joined: 24 March 2009 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 69	Quote Reply Posted: 19 June 2010 at 10:57am
	Well, I meant to get 3 pics in there. Oh well, that one shows the hidden controls. Here's another pic.

LamarL Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List QCRCC Members Joined: 24 March 2009 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 69	Quote Reply Posted: 19 June 2010 at 10:58am
	One more.

ponyboy082662 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List QCRCC Members Joined: 31 January 2009 Location: florence Online Status: Offline Posts: 202	Quote Reply Posted: 19 June 2010 at 2:19pm
	That baby is sweet lamar...I wish you a great maiden with her !!!
	If you have time to look at the speedometer...your not going fast enough !!!

LamarL Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List QCRCC Members Joined: 24 March 2009 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 69	Quote Reply Posted: 19 June 2010 at 8:22pm
	Thanks, Eric. I just ordered a Futaba 2.4 Ghz FASST radio and receiver. I'm not taking any more chances. It's a heartbreak to see your plane roll over and go in, with nothing you can do to stop it. At the last meeting, some of the guys told me of their experiences with glitches at the field. It scared me into acting NOW. All I know is that was the first time I had experienced it and I didn't like the outcome! Hopefully the new system will take care of that problem for good.

ponyboy082662 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List QCRCC Members Joined: 31 January 2009 Location: florence Online Status: Offline Posts: 202	Quote Reply Posted: 19 June 2010 at 8:58pm
	You will love the computor style radio....it is so much more precise and has so many features. once you get everything like you want it...it will make you a better and more comfortable flyer....it did wonders for me.
	If you have time to look at the speedometer...your not going fast enough !!!

LamarL Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List QCRCC Members Joined: 24 March 2009 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 69	Quote Reply Posted: 19 June 2010 at 9:37pm
	That sounds great! My current radio is a Futaba programmable computer type and the 6EX 2.4Ghz has pretty much the same programming. I will feel much more comfortable knowing the spread spectrum is virtually glitch free. With some luck, I'll be flying again sometime next week. I've got to get Brian over to my place to work on his Corsair. He's interested in using rotary aileron drivers as well. I want him to get his bird finished so we can do some mock dog fights. His ARF is the same scale as mine, so that would look really sweat-a Corsair vs a Zeke. I think he has most of his parts in; just a matter of putting them all together.