Large Model Association Forum

Currently at the final painting stage of a Nick Ziroli Beechacraft D-18. This is a cusomer project but is now FOR SALE following a change of plan & relocaton of work abroad by the owner. Model is to be offered complete & ready to test fly. Anyone interested, please feel free to contact me on 0191 3883815, or e-mail phil@fighteraces.co.uk

1/5 scale, 114" span, 2 x ZG38's, Sierra gear all round, 2 x Spectrum AR-9100 Rx's, Futaba servos (mostly digital) & 5,000Mah 6v Intelect Nimh cells. All items are brand new for this model. We're finishing it in the colours of a D-18 currently operated by the 'Comemorative Airforce' over in the US.

A few recent photos.....more to follow as we near final completion......

Paint..............

Fuselage showing the basic paint sequence ostarting with the underside US Insignia White followed by masking for the Intermediate Blue with foam 'soft tape' (a 1/2" cylindrical foam tape that is only sticky on one side that is used to produce the faded edge).....then the same procedure for the upper surface Sea Blue.

The principle behind the use of 'soft tape'.....................

Wing 'Stars & Bars' followed.......paint masks from Flightline Graphics as usual........& as expected, excellent results (thanks Nigel )

A 'wash' has also been applied in these photos..........

Close ups following the wash. This was applied once again with WBC paint by adding a little medium grey pigment to a pot of water. Applied in smooth strokes to the surface with a soft sponge then force dried with a heat gun until 'just' touch dry. The surface was then immediately worked with a well worn 600 grade fabric flatting pad (used wet)........this removes most of the wash, just leaving residue collected in panel lines and around the rivets........breaks up the surface nicely giving a slightly dirty appearance to the bottom, but a slightly 'bleached' effect on top.

Almost there now.......all paintwork complete and wash applied as per the wings.

Main & tail gear are all from Sierra.........plumbed up to an Ultra Precision sequence valve & four 1" travel rams for the main gear doors.

Radio install complete........6 satellite RX's fitted in total to the twin AR-9100 Powersafe RX's.....3 per RX. Two in the fuz sides at the TE of the wing, 2 in the tail next to the tail gear assemble, and 1 in the rear of each engine nacelle behind the retracts. All 6 are position in different orientations do give best signal diversity.

The 2 x 6v 5,000Mah 'Intelect' NiMh cells are packed in foam right in the nose......these basically slide in a ply tunnel so can be pushed forwards/backwards depending on how the CG works out.

Under the removable nose cone are the 2 switches, 2 Spectrum 'Flight Logs', 2 charge points & the gear filler valve.

Engine install is all standard stuff.....2 x ZG83's with 90 degree carb bends & trumpets.

All together....................

1st engine runs took place this morning.........still some messing about to do to get rpm's sync'd throughout the whole range, but an encouraging start.

The D-18 project is now complete & was delivered to it's owner last Friday.

Once the CG check was done, 2lb of weight was required in the nose to bring the CG to the position stated on the plan, this gave us a final AUW of dead on 53lb.

Here's a few final 'walkround' photos.........

Phil

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