Zenith (oz14022)

About this Plan

Zenith. Free flight power floatplane model.

Quote: "Zenith, by Sal Taibi. The old free flight master turns out a ship that won a second in ROW, first Class A in Dallas Nats. Takes .09 displacement engines.

The Zenith represents my first successful free flight design since leaving Indiana and moving to the Utopia of model flying, the land of balmy breezes and round the year flying, Southern California.

I had long been impressed by the large size of the free flight models flown on the West Coast, and along with some additional personal experience gained before I left Indiana, I've come to the conclusion that the size of the airplane did not determine the angle and rapidity of climb as much as the total weight of the model. I figured that if a model could be kept light in weight it could climb right along with the smaller model and, properly adjusted, could certainly outglide it. The light wing loading of the Zenith, approx four ounces per square foot, gives the model a beautiful floating glide with excellent tendencies to pick up thermals low to the ground.

The design experimentation began with an AA model. All rudder and airfoil changes were made on this model and when it seemed that the airplane could take all the power available with no bad power characteristics and could fly well in a high wind, the plans were scaled up to suit the Arden .099. You can substitute any appropriate .09.

The effort was well rewarded when I took the Zenith to contests. On July 8, 1951 the Zenith being flown in an all-classes-combined, ROW meet at San Dimas, Calif, placed first with a total of 12:41 on a very cloudy, overcast day. Two weeks later at the Nationals at Dallas, Texas it placed second in ROW and the following day the Zenith made a total of 27:44 to win first place in class A.

Obtain the full-size drawing, then study the plans and familiarize yourself with the construction. It is very important that the wood be of fairly light stock, quarter grained if possible. This will help to keep the weight down. The original weighed ten and one quarter ounces.

Cement three pieces of 3/32 x 2 in soft balsa together for each side of the fuselage. While these are drying cut out all the fuselage bulkheads; you will find that the bulkhead Nos.1 and 7 are undercut on the lower sides for the added fuselage stiffeners at the front and rear of the fuselage. Bulkhead No.7 is 1/16 mahogany plywood. Do not use balsa on No.7, as this bulkhead acts as the pivot for the stabilizer leading edge when the tail pops up. Cut out the fuselage sides, sand and then odd the fuselage stiffeners at the front and rear..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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