Guillows Zero RC Conversion Step by Step Underpowered

[@davidquerry8869]

Bummer on ending up under powered. But, I am looking forward to plan "B".

[@TimMcKay56]

David: Hey, these things happen. I have the motor, waiting for the lipo. Will clearly be a bit heavier, but I think the wing is enough to keep it up at a faster airspeed. Tim

[@QueenofHuronia]

Wow! That old Adams Actuator Pulse single channel brings back some memories! That's what I learned on! Built on old kit called the Lightning Bug. Covered with Aerogloss clear dope over the old silver-aluminum tissue paper. Had a Cox.010 in it, but I modified it to take a bigger fuel tank, and she would fly for close to 10 minutes at a time. Once I was skilled at flying it I moved onto Guillows Comet and Stirling kits modifying them as needed for the old gear. Thanks for the memories!

[@TimMcKay56]

QH: Great recap, thanks for sharing! Tim

[@bddbhdhdhdbs6408]

Awww your dog is adorable! Thanks again for the great video. Because of your channel I just got myself the giant scale hellcat!

[@TimMcKay56]

BH: Rudy does enjoy a cameo appearance from time to time 😁 Hey, best of luck with your Hellcat project. It is a very nice kit to build and fly. Tim

[@jimpuff8409]

Tim , hope all is well with you. I love your videos. I would just like to ask you if you could sometime show a video of covering the plane. I have an Ercoupe that I’ve had for years and was never covered. If maybe down the road you did a video on the proper way of covering, I would love to see that. Take care. And please keep your videos coming 😊

[@TimMcKay56]

Jim: Thanks for checking in! Here is a video I did on covering small RC models, i.e. keeping it light. Tim kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXvZh5yhYsudnK8

[@davidmtaylor973]

I'm a guillows Air plane builder I think they are in great detail in the planes in the building ..your videos will be a great help to rc some of my planes thanks for the videos

[@TimMcKay56]

David: Thank you very much! Tim

[@Vesalempinen]

Thank you Tim for this great demonstration / tutorial. I have old Guillows Mitsubishi Zero kit From the 80's in pristine condition that I am thinking to construct as R/C model. Your insights & experience are highly valued.❤

[@TimMcKay56]

Thanks for checking in! Be sure to see my follow up video on the Zero, using a larger motor. Tim kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5-raKiso7WajJI

[@youknoweverything7643]

And to the newbies into making guillows rc conversions and nervous or worried that you won't be able to do it go for it. They are cheap and a great way to teach you to scratch build balsa planes from kits. They are great light weight fun little park fliers and cheap to buy a kit compared to expensive 100-200 dollar balsa kits and the electronics are very inexpensive as well. The hard part is just making sure you have every piece nice and square that you add in for the rc conversion and making sure you have everything nice and square is the most important part but not to hard to do it right. And thank you for doing this as a 3 channel plane makes it that much easier if a conversion for people who is doing a conversion for first time. And guillows planes can be super scale looking they make good scale realistic plst form knmd😮

[@TimMcKay56]

All good, thanks for checking in! Tim

[@colinjohnson5515]

I’m loving this nostalgia trip watching you open up the Guillows plans! I assembled 4 or 5 of these when I was in middle school and high school in the 90s. I dreamt of converting them to RC knowing it was just not possible in 1995. I’m going to have to fulfill that dream now!

[@TimMcKay56]

Colin: Guillow models are a lot of fun, best of luck with your build! Tim

[@duacot6633]

The info you share on your builds is invaluable. Thanks for sharing!

[@TimMcKay56]

DC: Glad you like them! Tim

[@stanpotter7764]

Thank you SO much for these videos! You are so clear and concise. I'm planning on doing my 1st conversion soon and trying to decide between the Zero and Dauntless. I will be referencing your videos often! Great work, sir! 👍

[@TimMcKay56]

Stan: Good luck with your conversion! I'd go with the Dauntless first as it is a larger aircraft and you can use the exact same motor and controls as I did on my Guillows Hellcat video. Or, just build the Hellcat, flies great. Tim

[@stanpotter7764]

@@TimMcKay56 Thank you, I was leaning towards the Dauntless since it's easier and this is my first conversion, the Hellcat would be great too!

[@TimMcKay56]

No worries, good luck! Tim

[@AndyDeMontana]

Tim, this would be an ideal platform for the 2S 180 size components. I've built a number of Classic Pattern planes this size as well as a few original designs as you can see most of them on Outerzone. The 3-4oz warbird really needs the extra oomph that the 2S setup provides. I have standardized on the UMX Cessna components as the AS3X in them is more configurable (it is basically a micro AR636), the BEC will handle the higher draw of the rotary servos, and the ESC was designed for higher-current motors.

[@TimMcKay56]

MH: Great info! Can you shoot my your email address in case I have further questions? In YT search, just type Tim McKay Channel, my email is in about. 😃 Tim

[@chilarai1]

Looking forward to the next vid. I have a couple of Guillows WW2 kits stashed away that I'd like to get busy on this winter. Thanks for a great vid as usual by the way.

[@TimMcKay56]

Chilarai: Many thanks! Tim

[@markpatterson4917]

Great Job on the build lovely plane. I think you could have got it to fly on that motor. You've developed the classic power flyers bad habit pulling up in when really you should do the opposite to regain airspeed. I know its counter intuitive and your approach does work if you have plenty of power. I grew up with slope soarers (to long ago over 30yrs) so can identify the problem. In the glider world if you push down it goes down very fast but if you keep pulling up it will still go down. I recommend something like Bixler and resist the power once up in the air and gliding practice. Failing that use your existing planes and practice dead stick landings. I really like like your conversions. I'm working on something a little larger at present a 76 inch lancaster bomber estimating and 2yrs at my current progress to get it in the air. Great build vid.

[@TimMcKay56]

Mark: After 8 Guillow conversions, I can find out real quick after hand launch how the model will behave in the air. With the WW2 birds, there is just no sufficient control authority to fly at the lower airspeeds. I can get away with this for the Cubs, but the fighters need a bit of airspeed and ailerons for initial roll control. Do see the follow up video on the Zero with the larger motor, as well as my Hellcat video. Tim

[@cdabg]

The formers in the section from the wing to the tail could be lightened considerably (cut a larger hole in the center). Also the stringers could also be lightened (not the 1/16" ones) which would save a considerable amount of weight also. Keep up the good work, I really, really enjoy your videos.

[@TimMcKay56]

CD: Very useful tips, thanks! Tim

[@TheJungleboy2123]

Great video! I really enjoy all your Guillow's conversion videos. Have you considered trying motor/esc setup from the turbo timber as a potential re-power? The brushless EFLUM6960 motor with the EFLA6421BL receiver/esc/servos? I haven't done the math on the power&weight increases but the form factor is much more similar to what you're running now compared to running a separate motor, esc, receiver, and servos. It might requite a lot less modification to the airframe.

[@TimMcKay56]

Dan: That is some very useful information, thanks for sharing. I looked up on the Horizon Hobby website, as well. Looks like the motor should provide sufficient power. Tim

[@bradleygrigsby5884]

Very nice build. Would love to see you do some Dumas RC conversions. I know the Freeflight Dumas planes fly way better than Guillows.

[@TimMcKay56]

Bradley: Great idea, let me work on this! Tim

[@colinjohnson5515]

Learning so much and they have a Fieseler 156 Storch! I’d love to build a biplane like a Sopwith Pup

[@paynecharlie4087]

For anyone interested,nylon reinforced tape makes good hinges for model airplanes.

[@TimMcKay56]

Great point, thanks! Tim

[@happiness369]

That's a great informative video.. nice bird Mr. Tim

[@TimMcKay56]

KK: Glad you enjoyed it! Tim

[@rominmcgowan2093]

Tim McKay I appreciate your videos. I'm going through a lot right now so I think me and my wife are gonna try to build this little minimum rc Cessna L-19. Maybe watch more of your videos for help. ( Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained) These days I need advice from someone wise not young N dumb as I once was.

[@TimMcKay56]

Romin: Best of luck with the Bird Dog. As always, keep you model light and warp free. Tim

[@castlive7716]

Tim, thank you for another great video! Howard

[@TimMcKay56]

Howard: Appreciate it! Tim

[@timtheplaneman]

Sorry if you've answered this already Tim, but working on my Sopwith Camel, I'm stuck on how to paint the plastic. The acrylic paint I usually use just doesn't do the job, even if I sand it first. I hesitate to use acrylic. Any suggestions very much appreciated.

[@TimMcKay56]

I have had good luck with several coats of latex paint on plastic. Tim

[@SergeiMosin]

I kinda want to take a guillow's kit and build it into a diorama wherein you can flip a switch and the aircraft will go through its preflight check, but finding a PCB board to control that would be... alarmingly expensive. That being said, what would you recommend for engines to fit inside the smaller guillows kits, that are also able to be throttled semi realistically (going to probably rig up a dial on the display pedestal for it) bearing in mind that weight is not an issue since it's not going to be designed for flight?

[@TimMcKay56]

Sergei: Any small electric motor should work fine. Try the Suppo A1504 brushless motor from www.AltitudeHobbies.com, using this now on my updated Zero. Tim

[@youknoweverything7643]

I love micro balsa planes and thank you for these videos how to make guillows kits into RC planes instead of free flight. It's kinda work intensive but not to bad and you make the process pretty easy and the guillows kits are easy on the pocket book to build cause my local hobby shop sells them for 24-35 Dollars per kit and that's the laser cut ones for a die cut one they are only 12-17 dollars but i do have a die cut one and it's been hell getting the parts cut out and I had four split just cause how cheap the kit wood is so now I just traced the two sheets of balsa kit wood parts with tracing paper with out cutting the parts out and then made templates but transferring my tracing from the tracing paper onto a sheet of good balsa wood and cut my parts out my self and now if k crash it I can re trace the broke parts and fix it lol. But die cuts are so much harder to get parts cut out if using box wood it comes with

[@TimMcKay56]

Sounds like you have a plan! Tim

[@georgemalesky9462]

Thanks!

[@TimMcKay56]

GM: Hey, much appreciated!! Tim

[@windsurfer3329]

Great video. Is this an IPS brushed motor, and a single cell battery? What kind of esc did you use? Happy holidays.

[@TimMcKay56]

WS: Yes, a brushless motor and single cell lipo. ESC was built into the receiver/servo brick. Tim

[@claudio743]

What kind of foil do you use for covering? Or just you paint the tissue?

[@TimMcKay56]

For foil I use either aluminum monokote trim or silver HVAC sealing tape (Home Depot). See my video on silver covering of my Boeing L-15. Tim

[@GKCcisco]

Hey I just found a guillows rufe. I would like to build it brushless & for water use with floats. Is the lite coat water proof ?

[@TimMcKay56]

The covering is waterproof. But water always seeps in, consider using sealant for the float balsa wood. Tim

[@GKCcisco]

@@TimMcKay56 I will try this method thank you I & appreciate your videos!

[@dan6581]

I know you will get it to fly A1--your the guy that can do it

[@TimMcKay56]

Dan: Appreciate the vote of confidence! Tim

[@windsurfer3329]

I was mentioning if you have used the IPS motor earlier because I built the same airplane with a gear drive IPS. First, I hand-launched it to make sure it flew straight, then I engaged the prop, and it flew fine. Your plane climbs up first (tail heavy??), stalls and comes back down with a speed less than its stall speed. Perhaps it is not balanced according to its projected center of gravity (or the one in the plan is wrong).

[@TimMcKay56]

WS: Yes, I think the original Zero flights were tail heavy. Second attempt worked better! Tim

[@larzhillbot1443]

Every time i look Stevens aero is out of stock on the umx Bricks ? Love your build videos Huge thumbs up

[@TimMcKay56]

Larz: Maybe sent Stevens an email with your concerns. Tim

[@luckyduck3594]

Its always nice to support a US company even if its not a US made product, but if they are out of stock you can buy what looks to be the same exact brick on banggood. I have used them before without issue. usa.banggood.com/Oversky-MXL-RX62H-V2-RC-Airplane-Receiver-Integrated-with-Dual-Servo-for-Frsky-DSMX-DMS2-FUTABA-SFHSS-p-1332998.html?rmmds=search&ID=554812&cur_warehouse=CN

[@alexherrera3918]

Nice build and conversion. Do you have a recommendation kit for a 9 year old kid with no much patience? Perhaps that kit does not exist but i just wanted to ask you. He loves war planes. Thanks

[@TimMcKay56]

Alex: For a 9 year old, a Guillows Lancer is a great start as the instructions are step by step. Literally. For the fighters next, Guillows has some neat 16" span models. Tim

[@alexherrera3918]

@@TimMcKay56 Is the lancer a RC plane? thanks for the advice!!

[@carlheavener930]

on the sparrow, what should i for hinges ?

[@TimMcKay56]

Carl: Clear Scotch tape should be OK. Tim

[@Glicksman1]

That airplane is seriously tail heavy. Extending the nose a bit will help that. I think that it's probably not underpowered, but too heavy like most Guillows airplanes. There are many weight-saving methods for removing unnecessary wood from the airframe while not compromising strength and ways to make the wing more efficient. The strategic use of carbon fiber helps a lot as you know that every few grams count. A larger and heavier power system is not, in my opinion, the way to go unless you want it to fly like an F-16 or a powered stone. In addition to airframe weight reduction, perhaps a different propellor than what you're using now would work better. I hate to say it, but the colour is totally wrong. That brown doesn't look like any kind of colour used by the Japanese for aircraft in WWII, and if anything, closer to what might have been used by the Imperial Japanese Army which did not fly Zeros. The IJN used lighter and darker greys, various greens and grey/greens, even a kind of tan that is often mistaken for yellow, but not chocolate brown. As always a great build, and I wish you luck and happiness.

[@TimMcKay56]

GM: The Zero was one of my most challenging conversion. As I stated in this video, the kit just too heavy for the ParkZone system. Simply not enough power. Plus, rudder control was not going to work for lateral control, needed to go with ailerons. The short nose moment did not help with CG issues as well. Do take a moment to review the follow on video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5-raKiso7WajJI With a larger power system and bigger battery for CG help. the model flies about as well as it can, I think. Fully aware of no brown Zeros, I was just trying to save a buck and use a roll of covering that I had in the shop. Bottom line is I learned a lot, and this resulted in the great success of my Hellcat conversion. Tim

[@Glicksman1]

@@TimMcKay56 I saw the follow-up. I had commented on it previously. Well, the Zero actually looked pretty good in the air, if a bit on the fast side. However, I bet you didn't feel all that comfortable with it, no aerobatics, for instance, which with a Zero is a non-sequitur. That nose still looks awfully short even for scale. I still think a better flying model of it (one you confidently could roll and loop) could be made with the suggestions I previously mentioned. There's something so sexy about Japanese WWII models and their bright scarlet Hinomarus.

[@TimMcKay56]

The Zero flew quite well In follow on flights. Ailerons were the key. 😊. Tim

[@DoyleBlevins]

Your card did not show up again. I can video your video to show you if you like.

[@TimMcKay56]

Doyle: Doing a quick Google search, this seems to be a fairly common problem. Tied in to browser operating system, etc. Not sure how to proceed, as cards working fine here and on various friends' computers I see. I pasted in a typical comment from my search. Tim ______________________________________________ Hi. The cards I created both on older videos and new ones aren't showing up when viewed on computer browsers, but it does in the iOS app on my phone. I have no problem seeing cards on videos from other channels, but on my videos they doesn't show (it used to work earlier this year). I've tried Chrome, Opera and Safari on macOS. But I think there is some problem with my particular channel... Also, I can add cards and see them in KZbin studio / studio beta with no issues. How can this be resolved? Thanks!

[@jimmyhaley727]

not an engine,, it is a motor or powerplant,,, hehehheee

[@TimMcKay56]

👍🏻😊 Tim