Guillows Laser Cut Zero Build

[scigs30]

I received my first 400 series kit and I must say I am impressed. The Zero came with balsa that weighed 8-11 lb/ft and that is were it should be for a kit this size. I have never asked for contest balsa from Guillows but 15-27lb/ft balsa? Some of the wood is a little discolored, but that is ok. Hopefully this is a good sign of these to come from Guillows. I don't expect them to redesign their kits, just add laser cut parts and quality wood. So far this is a fast build, the parts fit together perfect and I did not have to mess with the notches. You can see how smooth of a build this is by looking at the fuselage, I have not even sanded it yet. I am building it per the plans and will attempt to fly it as a rubber powered plane at first and if that does not work I will convert it over to electric. The kit comes with Silkspan but I will be using regular tissue, have not decided if I am going to paint it or not. The fuselage is pretty light as is but you could scalp the formers to make it lighter. Normally a fuselage this size is built from 3/32 balsa. The wing is were the weight comes from and I did not feel like redesigning it, so I am just going to build it per the plans. I was going to omit every other rib and 4 spars but that only saves 3.5 grams. I built this kit when I was younger and could not get it to fly with rubber power so I put a Cox engine on the front and she flew great. Should be a fun fast build.

[SteveM]

Wow, that looks very clean and straight. Glad to see part numbers, seems like most laser cut kits skip that step, probably to save a buck or two.

[Squishyp38]

WHAT?!?!
LASER CUT 400 SERIES!?!?
I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE 400 SERIES WAS LASER CUT!!!!
WHY DID NO ONE TELL MEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

[scigs30]

Well not bad, I received this kit yesterday and the major assemblies are done, and this is using white glue.

[SteveM]

WHY DID NO ONE TELL MEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

You weren't around back then: http://balsamodels.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1497

[scigs30]

This was a fast and easy build, much different than my Zero build back in the 80's. This is also much lighter coming in at 48 grams as shown. Next I will cover with tissue and still have to decided if I am going to paint or not. I am making the cowl screw on so I can convert the plane to electric if needed.

[flyboy55]

Nice! the wood looks great.

[B R Burns]

Congratulations, I look forward to being able to build as good,(if pos) as you, I think it is supperb. Barrie.

[scigs30]

This was a fun build and I ordered all the kits in this series. Total weight is 60 grams, should be a good performer.

[B R Burns]

How did you make such a good job of the wing fairings Barrie

[scigs30]

Here are a couple points about fillets
1. On the real plane they are not perfect.
2. It is hard if not impossible to make them a perfect fit since the fuselage and wing has some irregularities because of stringer locations. If the fuselage and wing was sheeted balsa and perfectly even, the fillets would come out almost perfect.
3. The fillet pattern on the plan was perfect since this kit was laser cut.
4. Use regular paper to make the fillets, tape in place first then add glue with small brush. When dried, brush on dope.

[sawingman]

Another beautiful airplane. I have admired all your builds and have learned a great deal from your postings. What method did you use on this build for the panel lines? Also, you mention using dope over regular paper for the wing fillets, if dope is not available is there another alternative?

[scigs30]

I used a Top Flite Panel Line Pen for the lines. I just brush regular airplane dope on the printer paper for the fillets to seal them.

[grinx76]

what did you use to bend the music wire landing gear?

[scigs30]

Pliars.....