Zenith (oz16466)

About this Plan

Scientific Zenith. Free flight towline glider / rubber cabin model. Wingspan 33.25 in.

Planfile includes full build instructions.

Quote: "Do not start the construction of the model until you have studied the plans, instructions, and photos carefully, and you are thoroughly familiar with the proper procedure. In this way, time can be saved by avoiding unnecessary mistakes. Use a Scientific Model Knife, or a razor blade broken to a pointed tip to cut out the printed parts. Use two or three strokes to cut out the thicker pieces. Use a metal rule when you have straight lines to follow, and the pieces will fit together perfectly, making strong, neat joints. Pin the plan to a drawing board or table top and work over this.

The fuselage is made square and the top bulkheads are added later. Lay transparent waxed paper over the plan before you cement the vertical members of the sides in place. Make two identical fuselage sides and then join them together with crossbraces as shown on the top view. Put pins on the sides of the wood to hold the pieces in position until the cement has thoroughly dried. When the two sides are finished you are ready to join them with the crosspieces. The first ones to go in place are the ones which would go under the leading and trailing edges of the wing. To do this, lay one fusel-age side flat and cement the crosspieces in place. Hold them a few seconds until the cement starts to set and they will stand by themselves. However, before the cement has a chance to dry permanently, check them with a square so they will dry accurately. The other side is then cemented to these pieces. Again check for square-ness and check the ends so one side will not be longer than the other. Taper the rear ends as shown and cement them together. When the cement has dried the remaining crosspieces are inserted. Notice that the lower cross-pieces of the nose are shorter than the top.

The bulkheads B-1 to B-9 may new be cemented in place. Bend and cement the wing hooks to B-4 and B-7 and add the 1/16 sq stringers. Cement F-1, 2 & 3 in place. Bend the launching hook and cement it in place. Cement strips of 3/32 sq underneath F-1 & 2 where they meet B-4. Roughly carve the nose block to shape and cement it to the front. When the cement has dried, use rough and then fine sandpaper to finish it off to the contour of the nose. Round off a piece of 1/16 sq to fit between B-3 & 4. Cover it with blue tissue and cement it in place. It will be easier and neater to put the windshield on after the fuselage is covered, so put it aside until later..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "Steve, Mary, Here's Scientific's "Zenith", a 33.25" span gull-wing towline glider with option for rubber power. Plan is dated 1941, I didn't see a designer cited. Scanned from an original kit; the kit has wartime materials and the cardboard parts sheets were faded and difficult to scan cleanly. Pictures of the box and kit contents are attached, note that the kit came with wheels, thrust button, hook wire and a flat prop blank for the rubber power option. Thanks again for all you do to keep these plans available, Mike Kelly"

Supplementary file notes

Printwood.

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction