GWS Zero mods (pics)

[Larry G]

Here are some pics of the canopy attachment I came up with for the GWS Zero. I didn't like the kit supplied velcro method, and the canopy did not fit well at the front. I glued a piece of blue Dow foam to the front of the windshield, and milled out a notch in the fuselage to fit it. I used the black plastic strip that came on the Zero's parts tree that is actually used on the Formosa canopy, and two rare earth magnets from Radio Shack.

The back is held in place by a CF rod glued to the fuselage that pokes throught a hole in the canopy, angled forward a tad just like the real Zero antenna. The antenna is not scale, but I didn't have any flat CF stock to work with, and I wanted it to be shorter to prevent breakage in a flip over landing.

[Larry G]

[Larry G]

Haven't flown it yet, going to maiden it tomorrow. The magnets seem pretty strong and full throttle blast doesn't move it at all.

I didn't want to spend a lot of time painting it in case the maiden flight is a disaster, but eventually it will be green over gray. These are temporary markings, and I even made the cowl out of a cream cheese tub to save the kit cowl until the Zeke proves air worthy.

Came it at 17oz AUW with Rhino 3 cell 1250 battery.

Wish me luck!

[Twmaster]

Hey that's a nifty idea Larry. I have a very well worn GWS Zeke and have always hated that velco massacre.

Awaiting your maiden!

[Larry G]

Originally Posted by Twmaster

Hey that's a nifty idea Larry. I have a very well worn GWS Zeke and have always hated that velco massacre.

Awaiting your maiden!

I have it balanced 52mm back from the Leading edge of the wing, manual says 48 to 55.

Where is yours set?

[Twmaster]

Mine is at 48MM. Also, mine has had extensive mods to the wing saddle to flatten out the wing incidence. Do you know which version of the Zero you have? There was a second version that dealt with the incidence issues. I have no idea how to tell them apart easily. Mine is a very very old plane. One of the first gen.

[Larry G]

Originally Posted by Twmaster

Mine is at 48MM. Also, mine has had extensive mods to the wing saddle to flatten out the wing incidence. Do you know which version of the Zero you have? There was a second version that dealt with the incidence issues. I have no idea how to tell them apart easily. Mine is a very very old plane. One of the first gen.

Not sure either. I bought it in 2008. The kit *box* looks pretty new, full color printing with lots of pictures. I figured I'd try it and see how it flies before changing the wing incidence.

[Larry G]

The Zero rolled off the ground real nice, elevator trim was very close so climbout was uneventful. Had to cut power back to about half pretty fast because it was climbing very quickly. A couple of down elevator trim clicks and it seemed to track well. Cruises a good speed at less than half throttle. Full throttle requires just a tad of down elevator to keep level, but it was no where near what I was expecting from reading threads on the wing incidence - maybe mine is the "new" kit?. Might be close to the proverbial "unlimited vertical", but I had to shut it down because it was getting tiny. The power plant is all Hobby City, KDA 22-10s motor, 25amp Turnigy ESC, and Rhino 3 cell 1250 20C lipo. 8x6E APC prop, about 16 amps wide open.

It seems to float well and lands easily. I did test it with a flip over one landing, and the antenna did not break off.

All in all the easiest maiden I've had. I've been helping a guy at the field learn to fly his Super Cub, maybe its good Kharma smiling on me.

[Twmaster]

Sweet. That's great news Larry.

Now get her looking like a proper warrior!

[Larry G]

Originally Posted by Twmaster

Sweet. That's great news Larry.

Now get her looking like a proper warrior!

Yeah, I gotta find my airbrush....... also going to bend up some exhaust pipes from aluminum tubing.

My Formosa gained a lot of weight from the brushed on paint. I used a semi-transparent color that needed a few coats to even out. I'm going to try to keep it thin on this one, lucky gray and dark green cover well.

[Sproket]

Good Job Larry ! Here it flys very good.

You can also dremel off the ends of that black canopy fastner so it doesnt stick out, unless that is your way to grip it to pull off.

[Larry G]

Originally Posted by Sproket

Good Job Larry ! Here it flys very good.

You can also dremel off the ends of that black canopy fastner so it doesnt stick out, unless that is your way to grip it to pull off.

I did leave a little sticking out to grab- could cut it down a bit more.

[Twmaster]

Don't get her too heavy Larry. The sweet spot for these is less than 16 ounces.

[FlyingMonkey]

Originally Posted by Twmaster

Mine is at 48MM. Also, mine has had extensive mods to the wing saddle to flatten out the wing incidence. Do you know which version of the Zero you have? There was a second version that dealt with the incidence issues. I have no idea how to tell them apart easily. Mine is a very very old plane. One of the first gen.

Wow!

I remember my excitement when these first came out. I followed the magazine reports closely. This was several years before I was able to fly. I had at the time been able to keep a GWS cub in the air pretty well, but that was it.

Then they offered the retracts, I was in awe.

I need to relive those days and see about picking one of these up for myself.