Zlin50 by Seagull

This model is about to come out,really fancy it,tried to sell some models on E bay before Christmas, not very successfull the only one I sold the guy never paid or collected it.If I dont get a mosel Im bidding on on e bay I might buy this one.

This model just came up the list.I have been bidding on a Seagull Porter P6,on E bay,had the bid until earlier today.Patiently waiting with a bid of £155 in the bidding box eager to pounce and snap it up at the last half minute,when someone stuck a bid of £175 up.sadly watched as it finished at £195.It was electric and complete so still excellant value against new price

Looked around at Blackbushe for an engine but no luck.Bought a Wots Wot with an OS91 2 stroke in it and worst ways I could maybe put my SC 61 in it and use the OS in the Zlin.The engine Im bidding on has 1hr 30 mins to go and is going up steadily as I write report back on whether I bought it or not later

Whilst watching the engine on E bay climb ever higher I checked out the price of a new one through Galaxy,there price £77.As the one on E bay went on over £50 I decided to see if I could negotiate for a New one instead,so didnt buy the one on E bay.I telephoned Galaxy Monday Morning.As I already had the silencer from them thay sold me one without silencer for £60,should receive it today.

Well its all a bit strange,the engine arrived but the silencer I has already purchased was wrong so they are sending the one that was in the box,it should arrive tomorrow but the weather isnt looking promising.Today was a perfect day,but my aeriel has been broken for quite some time on my 2.4 transmitter but could always be positioned correctly.Last night when I checked it it couldnt be positioned so I have a new one in stock and so its having the aerial and a couple of switches replaced.I am convinced I had a spare receiver for the Wots wot,but since the cleaning lady has been tidying (Grrrrr) I cannot find anything.

Well lads at last Ive found suitable bolts from a bolt shop 4 miles away.They were 10mm longer in stainless Steel,and with wahers and spring washers £3 for 10.On the way back to work I decided to shorten the silencer by half an inch also.Its on with the alloy sleeve in the middle so my mechanic did it on his small lathe .Went flyinf for the first time in 5 weeks.Came out of work ,no wind ,still had the models in the car so arrived home at 9pm.After tea fitted the silencer and it fits perfectly with about eigth of an inch spare.Now have to finish fitting the cowl and we are ready.

Fitted the Cowl tonight went really well and fits a lot better than expected.The New Engine is in fact shorter than the old engine,and i had already fitted the cowl.to the old engine.It had to go back about 5mm but seems a really good fit.Ive put a long extension on the needle valve adjuster because its at the bottom and angles out,but right in line with the prop,bit scary.Just the C of G to do now and we are ready.Im using the original Zlin receiver so all the throws are programmed in as before.Just need to check out the weather a plan the maiden

This Morning ,the sun was shining and the wind was low.I checked everything was in order at work and loaded up and headed for the field,I was early enough to drive in and unload before the others arrived.I decided to run some fuel through the new engine and tune it up.The engine started quickly at was soon ticking over nicely.I didnt seem to havr put a lot of fuel in when I filled it for the first time but I have a new strong pump so decided it was probably that.Having run and tuned the engine,we checked and adjusted the elevator .throttle and rudder,all about spot on.I then had a club mate hold the model vertically,nose down to fit the wing on.I had to get a knife and pierce the covering as I had set the ailerons up with a battery and receiver.Then a slight disaster.As I climbed over the tool box back to the model my dodgy legs had me lose balance trip over the box and the leading foot came down wiping the under carriage right off my new zlin,oh how we laughed,tears in my eyes,its mended now!!!.I then investigated the tank,and discovered I somehow managed to fit it upside down.I gently ran a new craft knife round the glued edge of the tank rear mounting sheet,managed to unstick it and move it sufficiently back to allow the tank to be put in the right way up.So its already again

Lastweekend was ideal for the Zlin to have its maiden and it all went very well.I warmed up with an old Wot 4 that flew brilliantlly,so with a collegue standing with me for advise we flew the Zlin and its as gorgeuos to fly as the first one.Sunday was as good and the morning was spent in competition flying a funfly day.I entered with the Fun Cub and it came second in the electric section.This was followed by my warming up again with the Wot 4,but it was a pig.I dont know what changed but it took 3 attempts to take off and as I gave it full power as it rose it did a sharp left turn flying into the trees flat out.With a bang and a crash it disapeared.Pride and confidence laying in pieces I trudged across to the crash site..I had to get a beating stick to get through dense undergrowth mainly stinging nettles to the wrecksge.When I arrived to collect the remains I was astonished to find a complete model ,a broken prop ,and a dent in the wing.The wing mount needed to be glued back but that was all.I was very hesitant about flying the Zlin but decided to have a go,. The flight was brilliant..The Wot 4 is mended but its first 2 flights were perfection,so Im confused as to why it misbehaved the next day.

Hi Lads yes it was charged up and the correct model selected.It went from bad to worse.I decided to have an early couple of hours last Sunday and get home for 1pm to watch the British GP.So I was going to have 2 flights with the Wot 4 ,then the Nemesis,Then the Zlin.It was a disaster.After a couple of attempts to take off I managed to get it away.I turned left and it was handling badly so I went right ,then left again but it wasnt reacting well at all it then spiralled down about 300 yards away.I Trudged over to the area which was 5 feet thistle,stinging nettlas and grass,At ground level it was thick weeds that wrapped round your feet.And I struggled for 2 hours without success or help..Sweating,Thirsty and totally knackered,I loaded up went home and had lunch and watched the GP.Rested and ready to tackle anything,I returned and dpent 3 more hours of torcher searching without success.If I get sorted at work early enough today Ill try again tonight

Found my model.I think the elevator hinges had gone.It had landed in the next field over,equally overgrown and dreadful to get through.I wore wellies and had a stick and staff so was able to get through after a fashion,hot work.We had takrn photos with a model and pinpointed a possible siting.After struggling through the area and finding nothing,I went to the hedgerow to try and look through some landmarks we had pinpointed.About 20 feet further up the hedgerow was furthr back and easier to get to.As I approached I could see a cave in the hedge.At the cave entrance was the wing and there is a strem under the hedgerow.On the bank the otjherside my fuselage was leaning nose dow but only the spinner was submerged.Because it was under the hedgerow it had been well protected from the weather and everything was good and dry.I had already decided to retire the old Wot,and ordered a Seagull Swift 40 a 63Inch Trainer just out.Ill use the gear from the Wot which is a newish SC 53 2 stroke and new servos.The only thing I couldnt find was the U/C.The new model should arrive Wednesday,so Ill start a build thread when it arrives.I didnt want another Wot as there multiplying like Rabbits at our club.When I boughtThe Swift,Gary told me the factory where the ARTF Wot is built suffered in the Tsunami,and they wont be available until Xmas

Zlin Yesterday

And Taking Off

Puss Moth Takes off

Puss Moth Landing