Thruster87

Predicted Performance Points: 120 hp @ 3300 rpm 110 hp @ 3000 rpm 100 hp @ 2750 rpm 93 hp @ 2551 rpm 90 hp @ 2475 rpm 80 hp @ 2200 rpm

I asked the question from Zenith as to the pros and cons of reversing the u/c leaf .Recieved the following reply; Moving the main wheels forward will make the aircraft more pron to falling on its tail when using the cabin access step to climb on the wing. The reason you may want to move the main wheels as far as possible and (within reason so you can still use the step) is to reduce the weight on the nose wheel. Less weight on the nose wheel shorter take off distance. Cheers T87

Happy to report the safe arrival of my 601xl kit today but the garage to build it in,is still a few weeks away from completion. Cheers T87

Hi Ianrat my kit is due to arrive at Port Botany on the 6th April.Not sure how long after that I can pick it up or the procedures /hoops to go thru. Cheers T87

I got a used test kit from a mate who works in a coal mine. So there are commercial kits out there. Cheers T87

Interesting mod for the 601XL nose gear Thrust Bearing of Nose Gear The nose gear turns easily if thrust bearings are used. These are small sleeve bearings from Aircraft Spruce with 1/4 inch ID. One drills a hole through the nose gear tube and installs the bearings, one in front and one in back of the tube, with an AN4 bolt and nylon stop nut. Care must be taken when tightening the nut so that the tube does not become distorted. Sealer must be used with the bolt and nut to prevent moisture from entering the tube. In addition, one must create a support surface for the two bearings. The support surfaces are a bit indented so that the bearings require a bit of force to move from the straight-ahead position. We have found that without such indentation, the rudder gradually moves off-center in flight. Ball bearings instead of sleeve bearings must not be used since the shocks imposed on the bearings during touchdown destroy ball bearings. [ATTACH]5436.vB[/ATTACH] Cheers T87

Starting to feel a bit of overload due to all these new developments.I'm not keen on spending so much time looking/uploading at all these different sites etc Just give me a couple of useful forums and I'm happy.Cheers T87

The aircraft is a c47 ex RAAF which is now owned by HARS. Cheers T87

A perfect day [saturday]to go for a quick fly [from IRA] [ATTACH]5397.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]5398.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]5399.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]5400.vB[/ATTACH]up victor 1 and a over the Harbour Bridge. Cheers T87

Kill the wabbit kill the wabbit, It's wabbit season.Just buried our rabbit in the back yard.Came home the other day and our rabbit was OK but 2hrs later rigor motis had set in. T87

Yes it is a yellow paste. We still use it on sheet metal repairs on our vintage aircraft at Hars.It's basically a anti-corrosion jointing compound for dissimilar metals. As long as you take the proper precautions it's OK no better or worse then a lot of other materials used in the aviation industry.Cheers T87 TD06.01 Duralac Jointing Compound __________________________________________________________ …inhibits electrolytic corrosion of dissimilar metals Description Duralac is an anti-corrosive jointing compound for use between joints of dissimilar metals. Form Duralac Jointing Compound is a yellow paste prepared from an elastic varnish medium of low moisture permeability, a corrosion inhibiting material barium chromate and an inert filler. It conforms to specification D.T.D. 369B. Properties Barium chromate is only very slightly soluble in water and hence is not leached out of the joint even in the presence of a considerable flow of water. It is however readily decomposed by acids with the liberation of chromic acid so that it is brought into action only in the presence of corrosive influences. It is tough and flexible, absorbs little water and is resilient to seawater. Shelf life is two years from date of despatch. Store below 20°C. Uses Duralac is indispensable for the sealing of joints between dissimilar metals of all types including magnesium and its alloys. It is also valuable for the protection of metals in contact with wood, synthetic resin compositions, leather, rubber, fabrics etc. When the components of a structure are of different materials, it is essential that the points or faces of contact should be treated with corrosion inhibiting materials because in the presence of electrolytes considerable differences of potential arise, not only where different metals are in contact, but also where components of the same metal under different stresses are in contact: for example as between the aluminium alloy plates or extrusions and rivets or bolts used in building up the structure, in industrial areas where structures are exposed, in flue ducts and acidic vapours. In close proximity to the sea where a salt laden atmosphere will be met with, structures will need the maximum attention to prevent corrosion due to the electrolytic cells set up by the salt laden moisture deposited upon the structure. Application Duralac is supplied ready for use and must not be thinned. It is best applied by brush. When Duralac is applied to metal or other surfaces the volatile solvent evaporates and the compound sets to the touch, but remains tacky for a considerable period. It is important that the joint should be closed while Duralac is still tacky – so that it is in such a condition that it will flow sufficiently under pressure to close the gaps in the joint. It will harden somewhat if a thin film is left exposed to the atmosphere for a long period and this will prevent the making of a close joint. Availability Duralac is available in the following packaging: Supplied in 250ml, 500 ml, 1 litre, and 5 litre tins. Also supplied in tubes. Technical Data Technical staff are available to advise upon Duralac applications and special requirements. 100 Gms/m2 coverage. July 2006

Just wanted to be the first to post here and get things moving.Will you be using Duralac? Cheers T87

Hi Ian, I know 3 kits have arrived in OZ this month and mine is due early next month and these are for current members.It would be nice to have a builders log/question/etc on a separate heading under Zenith,but as you say you need the numbers. I notice Ianrat has started his construction log under Kit Building so maybe it will suffice Cheers T87

Howdy Ian, Is it not about time we had a seperate Zenith Section PLEASEEEEEEE ? The numbers are growing. Cheers T87

VpCI™-373Description: VpCI™-373 is a water-based wash primer. VpCI™-373 is used for bonding other primers and coatings such as VpCI™-386 to a variety of metal substrates. I'll go with the Alodine then a primer. The 386 primer is a very good product and worth considering. Cheers T87

Cortec VCI 373 to my understanding is NOT a corrosion prevention coating such as alodine is, but a surface adhesion coating so that other primers/coatings bond to it. Cheers T87

Which corrosion prevention coating system are you going to use? and on what parts? I'm looking at the following :Aluprep,Alodine and Akzo 2-part epoxy primer for interior parts [self etching primers should not be used on alodine treated surfaces as it removes the coating]Powder coating engine mount ? Exterior alodine,primer ,Acrylic ? Cheers T87

Hi Ianrat, How much did the freight end up costing. Cheers T87

Approx 27000 people came to see this event.So a good day for HARS and Shellharbour Council which looked after the traffic, security etc.Next year it should be bigger then ever Cheers T87 [got to fly in the Drover for the first time and a lovely craft it is]]

[Water got in, so I had to unwrap everything and get rid of the brown paper.] Any idea if this occurred during transit on the high seas or at OZ container terminal.I'm waiting to get my kit soon but the garage is not ready yet, so will leave it in the packing box if it appears DRY Cheers T87

Watching Top Gear launch a rocket the other night sparked a thought :idea:of why isn't anyone doing this sort of testing of RAA aircraft. Start your own TV series and make a Million Bucks!!!!!

I'm waiting for dispatch confirmation on my kit as well [should have left 1st week in Feb receive 1st week March] Cheers T87 [Case you LUCKY SO & SO]

[Soon A C150 may be the same as a DC3. you can pick them up for a song but your 100 hourlies will kick the crap out of you..] LOOKY HERE!!!!! the DC3/C47s are around 60yrs OLD and are still flying with VERY little corrosion on our two at HARS.They where made in a hurry during the war years but they where primed with zinc chromate and it has made all the difference. Cheers T87

Top this for a speeding ticket... Two British traffic patrol officers from North Berwick were involved in an unusual incident while checking for speeding motorists on the A1 Great North Road. One of the officers used a hand-held radar device to check the speed of a vehicle approaching over the crest of a hill, and was surprised when the speed was recorded at over 300 mph. Their radar suddenly stopped working and the officers were not able to reset it. Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had in fact latched on to a NATO Tornado fighter jet which was engaged in a low-flying exercise over the Border district, approaching from the North Sea. Back at police headquarters the chief constable fired off a stiff complaint to the RAF Liaison office. Back came the reply in true laconic RAF style: "Thank you for your message, which allows us to complete the file on this incident. You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Tornado had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked onto, your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it. Furthermore, an air- to-ground missile aboard the fully-armed aircraft had also automatically locked onto your equipment. Fortunately the pilot flying the Tornado recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile systems alert status, and was able to override the automated defense system before the missile was launched and your hostile radar installation was destroyed. "Good Day Sir".

Howdy codlocks, Yes I emailed them and got a prompt reply on the prices Cheers T87