Ziroli Beech D18

[Mike Lee]

I'm considering building one of these. It's been on my build list for many a year. You don't see too many of them about, so i'm wondering if there is a reason why. I've seen a build thread on another forum so the build should not be too difficult.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has flown one.

Cheers.

Mike Lee.
LMA 2329

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Mike--yes i have owned and flown one of these for several years,and recently flown one for Dave Tappin around the shows untill recently[it was up for sale in the recent newsletter],they do fly well--the Zenoah 38 s are a good match---nothing at all to say against the model---DAVE

[Mike Lee]

Thanks Dave.

[stephen spittle]

Mike

Does this mean you are finaly getting a van !!!

[Mike Lee]

I've measured my car. It will fit. Just!

[stephen spittle]

Go on you know you want one

[Phil Clark]

Mike

We have one on the go for a customer........been on hold for the past 6-7 months, but we're about to get back to it right through to completion.......let me know if there is anything you need to know.

Phil

[Mike Lee]

Ok. Thanks Phil. I was wondering what had happened to the one you were building. I do have some questions. I will send you an email.

Mike.

[Ken Bones]

Mike , dont be shy mate, we would all like to know what the questions are about the propposed Beech build,and the awnsers!
It is of interset to me at least.

Bonzey

[david clarke]

I,m intrested as well Ken,thinking of building one after the stuka.

Dave.

[Phil Clark]

Mike's e-mail.........

Hi Phil,

I was looking at your build thread on RCScaleBuilder.
Where did you get the undercarriage from? They don't look like Robarts.
Did Belair cut the kit? was it OK? I usually cut my own. But it saves time to get it cut.
There's a lot of material at the back. Do you anticipate prblems with C of G? I hate adding Lead.
Cheers.
Mike.

....and my reply.

Hi Mike

The retract are Sierra (made specifically for the model)....MUCH better than the Robarts, I wouldn’t touch Robart gear with a barge pole, VERY weak. The tail wheel is actually a Sierra ‘Corsair’ retractable/steerable unit......MUCH more scale in appearance & is also sprung.

Belair did the cutting....quality was good, only errors matched the plan (which isn’t the best). The holes for the tube joiners in the wings don’t line up parallel so these need adjusting, then there are the usual errors with stringer positions in the formers....again, need adjusting here & there to get them all nice & straight. Other than that, it was pretty good from memory.

Nose weight......I don’t think so. The back end is bulky but quite light. The two 38’s are quite heavy up front plus there are acres of room for batteries & RX’s right up in the nose. Either way, 2-3lb of ballast on a model that’s going to weight 50/55lb is no issue what so ever........better to have the CG in the right place than be tail heavy but 2-3lb lighter!!!

Hope that helps...........

Cheers

Phil

[stewart clifford]

Someone sell him the Beech plan quickly, at the field last week he said if it wasn't the Beech it would be a DC3(yawn) Sorry to all the DC3 fan club but when you see one at an airshow you know it's time to go to the toilet.

[Mike Lee]

Plan came in the post yesterday Stewart. Can't wait to get started.
Need more beer vouchers for Retracts, engines etc.
Mike.

[stewart clifford]

Nice one Mike, get Belair to cut he kit, it will save you loads of time and will be spot and you'll have it allready to fly in time for Rougham.