The Crack

What no crasher! To busy flying? He needs all the practice he can get if he doesn't want his arse whooped by the mighty Chalster AGAIN!!!!

Fus Moulding and other bits

Had a spare day so started work on a Fus, ballast tube, joiner boxes and joiner. As you can see from the photos there is a number of diffent mould part required to make these parts. parts will be moulded in the new oven at approx 150 degrees C for one hour. All Part made from pre peg. Trying a new layup for the fus using large amount of UD.

Harry

Is that 45 degree bias UD carbon I see? and if so what is it for.

Oven looks the dogs... Just the job. Who gave you that Idea?....

Make sure it all says FUN and I will look forward to seeing the results soon.

Up to temperature and off we go!

Last night I added the internal fans to the oven, they were wired to run continuously and made a massive difference, the oven got to temperature much quicker and stayed there for longer when the lights went off.
The oven was tested at 30 degrees then ramped up to 50 degrees, which took no effort really, there is plenty of room for higher temperatures for the future if needed.
Perfect!!!.... the plan is to make a tailplane this weekend to test every process, as some of the building techniques are slightly different to before. Check all the equipment at each stage is functioning as it should, then head down and get on with knocking some of these beauties out!!

R&G is here

The last awaited delivery from R&G is finally here!!

At Last We Are Ready!!

At last the oven is now ready, first tried and a steady increase in temperature from 14 degrees C to 25 degrees in about 20 minutes.

here some photos from back in the day when i had some free time......... You know you want one.

Progress

Hey Guys, 95g Carbon cloth has landed from Carbon Vertrieb, Beautiful
:-)
Balsa is great too =p

Update

Hey Guys - hope all is well.

Just a little update, spent the whole day getting ready for the light box/oven of which the materials should arrive tomorrow followed by a trip out to Maplin. The working table has been re-sized to 2444 x 1900mm so the light box can fit perfectly over the the top with the moulds laid out width ways.
I've taken the stick switches off my MC24 and replaced them with two conventional 3 position switches, so it's back to flying with the thumbs!
That's all for now, word out!

New Vacuum System

GREAT NEWS.... the new way of vacuum bagging has successfully completed its trial and first time too. Plastics sheet folded around the mould and sealed with sealant, non silicone of course!

Once connected to the vacuum pump it achieved full vacuum, there was a very slight leak but this was due to my efforts when joining the bag together.

Materials Are Arriving :-)

Good news, the materials are starting to arrive, I took delivery of the balsa today. Fantastic quality all light and cut from the same block so very consistent, would highly recommend Balsa Cabin to anyone, fast efficient personable service.

Just waiting for the R&G order and the carbon cloth from Carbon-Vertrieb.

That's all for now.

Duo Discus

Duo Discus

I have added a very short video of me flying the Duo Discus with Steve Poz filming from the back seat. If any of you guys fancy a bit of this next year please let me know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpH_B5EJFcM

Latest News

Hey guys

Materials all ordered, just waiting now for the postman.

R&G order placed for epoxy/hardener, release agent, peel ply etc.

95g Carbon cloth ordered from new Carbon-Weber supplier.

Balsa ordered form balsa cabin.

I now have a quote for the Kingspan foil lined insulation for the oven/light box, just need wiring diagram and we are away!


Test tailplane should be out of the moulds in the next two weeks! Watch this space!!

Ten four rubber ducky monkey nuts!

Over and out!

Latest News

Here are the photos as promised, first preveiw of the new workshop and the wing and tailplane moulds polished.

Just need to polish some more, light box/oven to construct and we are away!

If you are getting some balsa do not forget the the stuff for the shear web

dudes

I would just go with 1/16th to start with.

Get waxing them moulds.

Wax.......... on Wax off...................

Update from the Zenith factory Northants

The new workshop is almost complete just the spray booth and light box to complete.
Materials will be ordered end of this week, the first wet lay up model should be ready to mould late November.
25g glass cloth, 93g carbon, 1/16 balsa, 50g glass cloth.
Photos to be posted this weekend of the progress so far.
Over and out

Harry

Hi Guys
Crasher is in the building !!!!!!!!
I will be getting the wing templates back from the lazer cutters this week, all being well for Friday as Harry and i will be going for a knock ?
We will also be picking up some Balsa if we have time its only .55p per sheet which is pretty good do we want to use 1/16 or 1/32 ? or a bit of both Mike need your input
I have my Needle
She looks very interesting and fast big Flaps and the model looks quite nice to
Take it easy all
Crasher

Welcome to project zenith.

Welcome to project Zenith

Welcome to the Zenith Blog....

On this site you will keep upto date with the Zenith project and all stuff about F3B.

Below the all Carbon pre-preg 'Zenith' and it's creator/designer Mr Mike Challinor.

The Zenith Design