New Ritewing Z3 S build info thread

[ritewing]

Start here guys, I will mod fluff if necessary .
Please let the info flow for a bit, I will add info too.


Here is a few more awesome build threads if you want to check them out too


http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread....-III-Build-Log


http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2227266


http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread....406#post562406

[gobigdale]

I am going to claim this spot. Will be fairly detailed. I am taking a lot of build pics.

Opening the box!


First thing I did was cut off the nubs and sand the edges:


Next I started working on the spars and slots. I separated out the CF from the fiberglass tube and measured the lengths and cut them:


Next up I sanded tubes and slots:


Bottom sleeves are cut, on to the top:


Time to tack them in with some CA. This was a bit of a challenge making sure that sleeves and tubes were aligned:




Next up I worked on the motor mount. First I taped up the holes to make sure no GG seeped into them:


Spread out a little bit of GG and squirted once with some water. stirred it up and then just left a thin layer on the foam. Did the same thing to to top piece of foam that goes on top of the motor mount. Sandwiched them all together and held in place until it dried:




Next up is installing the thin fiberglass spars on the top and bottom of the fuse. Cut them to size and tacked the front 4" down first with CA and kicker. Once it setup I worked my way backward doing 6" at a time until I reached the motor mount Notice that the spars were installed before gorilla glue was applied to the main spar tubes:





Now I did the spars for the wing (top and bottom). Cut to size and install the same way with CA and kicker:

[Scotttu]

Chris you still sending me one of these?


Looks good!! I'll be getting one sooner or later!


Dale - Want to Maiden the Z2 this weekend, you available?

[gobigdale]

Tapping off the main spar slots so that GG does not get everywhere:



Mixing up the GG and Elmers white glue. 95% GG, 5% Elmers. NO WATER. I used the bottom of a water bottle to do my mixing.


Glue doing its thing. Maybe I used a little bit too much It is really expanding.

[gobigdale]

I waited about 25 minutes to allow the GG mixture to setup before I started trim it off. By the time I got to the last wing, it was getting more difficult to trim.




Did a light sanding to make it level with the bottom of the wing.


Fit it all back together with the spars and everything fits! I finally have a big wing that I can break down and travel with. AWESOME!


First coat of Patch N Paint to smooth out the spars:



Time to set it aside for now and let it dry.

[ritewing]

Ok Guys here is the initial trim point for maiden.
Out at the Z you hold the strait edge over the balsa and you can see the apx 3 to 4 mm gap, you can go 5 if you want to be safe, it will need down trim once up.


Then below you see my low rates are about 1/4 of throw from neutral to up and down , ail can be 1/2 to 5/8 from neutral
High elevator is apx 1/2 inch or so up and down from neutral.
Set throttle to about 75% and throw it Ronnie style or my baseball throw, into wind will always help.
Throw it more up than out on your first few times till you get it diald, don't be a pussy on your first launches till you get it down.
I use the higher rates for launch and land, then flip down once at speed.


Beautiful bro, you got it down!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIhhxbgRayE

[vstanman]

Beautiful! Sub!

[Ian Davidson]

VERY tidy !!

[gobigdale]

Got to help Scott maiden my old Z2 this morning, man what a sweet flyer that thing is. Made me even more excited about getting the Z3 finished!

Today I have done a done of sanding and paint n patch work. Getting close to having a plane that is smooth and where you can't see that spars where put in. Here are some pics of todays progress:



Here I am masking out what I want my finished elevons to look like. Taped them to the wing and blocked out the shape with tape.



Traced out the other side and cut:




Now it is time to test fit the servos. I cut the tabs of and rough sanded the outside that will touch foam. This should allow the glue to stick better on them. I did not glue them yet, will do that after paint.


Here I melted a channel for my servo wire to run through. It is a short distance to the edge so no need to cut slot for wire in top of wing.



Since I was melting foam, I decided to do all the holes through the fuse for wire runs. I really need to get a better foam cutter/melter...




Time for some paint

[EvanVH]

Nice build Dale!


Evan