SZD Zefir II (oz10886)

 

SZD Zefir II (oz10886) by Keith Humber 1984 - plan thumbnail

About this Plan

SZD Zefir II. Radio control scale model sailplane.

Quote: "Designed as a true scale model, the Zefir 2 spans 140 inches and requires four function radio. SZD Zefir 2, by Keith Humber.

Poland's SZD Zefir 2 was a subject I have always wanted to model. It's one of those aircraft that looks right and is really quite simple to build. It's all straight lines other than the canopy pan, and I was able to use three pieces of block balsa in a U configuration for that. The prototype was really one of the last of the wooden sailplanes, about 1965 vintage, but even so has quite a bit of plastic used in its construction. It was very advanced technologically, using a tail brake chute and Fowler flaps plus a retractable undercarriage and prone pilot position which required the use of hydraulic control runs.

From the modellers' point of view the tail group is super, no split elevators on this one. I did, however, cheat slightly on the flaps. Instead of the Fowler type I fitted straightforward bottom hinged ones. I really couldn't see all the complication of the original so hence the simpler hinged type. Incidentally, they work as super air brakes on landing approach and finals. Which leads me to say, don't be put off by the tiny wing tip chord. My original hasn't as yet tipped stalled in the three years I have been flying her. (I shouldn't have written that, I know).

The model is a superb flying machine and will soar from light winds to heavy, ie 2 or 3 miles per hour up to 40, and will fly fast or, with a little flap, slow right down. Magic to watch, better to fly. So if you are looking for a new scale glider try this one. I think you will like her.

The control sur-faces are all scale in size and area with ribs, etc, in correct position to show through the fabric correctly. Wing section is near scale using the Annenburg system of tapered ribs. The wing panels are joined in midspan with a one piece centre section, which is of course not scale but the advantage of a stiff centre section plus simpler transportability outweigh the slight disadvantage from the scale point of view. The standard scale judging is from a 30ft circle anyway so I colour tape the wing joints which are not noticeable at that distance.

The R/C gear is installed under the wing, other than a flat pack nicad which hides under the pilot's legs. This leaves the cockpit clear for detailing to whatever degree you want. I used a Cindy type doll for my pilot but as she wasn't long enough (the model is approx 1/5 scale) some longer balsa legs and feet were fitted and worked quite well and filled the cockpit up nicely.

Construction. We'll concentrate on the awkward areas and not try to do a blow by blow account, as anyone likely to build Zefir 2 will have their own constructional methods anyway. I build the wings first and the points to watch are firstly the flap and aileron hinge joint..."

SZD Zefir, R/C Model World, December 1984.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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SZD Zefir II (oz10886) by Keith Humber 1984 - model pic

Datafile:
  • (oz10886)
    SZD Zefir II
    by Keith Humber
    from RC Model World
    December 1984 
    140in span
    Scale Glider R/C
    clean :)
    all formers complete :)
    got article :)
  • Submitted: 06/02/2019
    Filesize: 775KB
    Format: • PDFbitmap
    Credit*: Circlip, RFJ
    Downloads: 3067

ScaleType:
  • SZD-19_Zefir | help
    see Wikipedia | search Outerzone
    ------------
    Test link:
    search RCLibrary 3views (opens in new window)


    ScaleType: This (oz10886) is a scale plan. Where possible we link scale plans to Wikipedia, using a text string called ScaleType.

    If we got this right, you now have a couple of direct links (above) to 1. see the Wikipedia page, and 2. search Oz for more plans of this type. If we didn't, then see below.


    Notes:
    ScaleType is formed from the last part of the Wikipedia page address, which here is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SZD-19_Zefir
    Wikipedia page addresses may well change over time.
    For more obscure types, there currently will be no Wiki page found. We tag these cases as ScaleType = NotFound. These will change over time.
    Corrections? Use the correction form to tell us the new/better ScaleType link we should be using. Thanks.

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SZD Zefir II (oz10886) by Keith Humber 1984 - pic 008.jpg
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User comments

Hello, some pics here for the plan SZD Zefir II (oz10886), from the Czech Republic [pics 006-008]. Thank you,
Vit Pucher - 06/04/2020
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Notes

* Credit field

The Credit field in the Outerzone database is designed to recognise and credit the hard work done in scanning and digitally cleaning these vintage and old timer model aircraft plans to get them into a usable format. Currently, it is also used to credit people simply for uploading the plan to a forum on the internet. Which is not quite the same thing. This will change soon. Probably.

Scaling

This model plan (like all plans on Outerzone) is supposedly scaled correctly and supposedly will print out nicely at the right size. But that doesn't always happen. If you are about to start building a model plane using this free plan, you are strongly advised to check the scaling very, very carefully before cutting any balsa wood.

 

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