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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Mike Quinn on September 14, 2024, 02:58:07 PM

Title: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Mike Quinn on September 14, 2024, 02:58:07 PM
Hello

Started building a Pizzaz to replace the ‘hand me down 3rd hand’ one I acquired.  The original plan has a foam wing and slightly more taper but I’m following the basic layout of the one I had.

Not built a full depth, sliced rib model before so feel free to comment.  OS 46LA powered. 

Cheers

Mike
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Motorman on September 14, 2024, 06:56:26 PM
Nice sturdy push rod you got there. Looks like the bellcrank travel is limited.
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Mike Quinn on September 14, 2024, 11:39:02 PM
Hi

Yeah, I robbed some of the parts from the original.  The pushrod is an arrow shaft.  Lighter than it looks 😀.  The travel is way more than it will need.  Probably 60 degrees or more.  Just looks tight in photo.

Lol, had more photos but lost the will to live trying to add them due to size restrictions,

Will have another look later.

I’ll put some weights as I go as not sure if I’m going too heavy here or there.  I’m making this one out of largely ‘odds and sods’ balsa … some of which came from the ‘waste’ off a 1/5 Slingsbury Petrel RC laser cut glider kit as you can see from the STB TE piece.  Balsa is too expensive to waste these days 😕

Cheers

PS this is what the finished model looks like before the ground got in the way.  Not pretty but good enough for learning on.  Had been messing with 2K base/clear finishing on Oracover film.
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Dave Hull on September 15, 2024, 12:08:01 AM
Interesting. The wing construction pictured seems to be a hybrid of Detroiter and Egg Crate. And the plans appear to show foam D-tube. Lots of variety and ideas here....
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Mike Quinn on September 15, 2024, 12:15:00 AM
Hi Dave.

It seemed pretty strong, the wing was probably salvageable after the crash but I decided to cut it up into pieces to see how the guy had put it together.  It will be sheeted on the LE so kind of a D box of sorts, with cap strips and some TE sheeting.

I’ve built many RC and Freeflight models but not too many CL models and only one 46 sized model so some of this is slightly unfamiliar territory.  Lol, I used to be able to predict how much one of my FF comp models would come out to within 10 or 15g but this is virgin territory so to speak.

And I suck at flying CL too 😂
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Mike Quinn on September 15, 2024, 08:02:41 AM
Hi

Basic structure done.  Flipped it over in the jig half way through.

Mike
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: john e. holliday on September 15, 2024, 03:02:58 PM
Looking good.   Nothing like good construction phoios. D>K
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Jim Svitko on September 15, 2024, 03:20:22 PM
Nice jig and building table.  They are necessary items for a straight wing.  Good work there.

I have gone to fully sheeted foam wings now.  I will take a bit of weight penalty since I can get a wing done in far less time, and less worry about it coming out straight. 
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Jim Svitko on September 15, 2024, 03:30:23 PM
From what I can see on those plans, the stab looks to be "flat" (no airfoil shape), with the leading edge simply rounded off.  I built planes with such stabs and they flew well enough.  But when I went to giving the stab some airfoil, tracking was much better.  The plane was more stable around neutral, and corners were more precise.  Less bounce (overshooting).  Anyone else with the same experience regarding airfoiled stabs?

None of that might matter to you but it is something to consider if you have not gone that far in construction yet.

Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Ken Culbertson on September 15, 2024, 06:00:53 PM
From what I can see on those plans, the stab looks to be "flat" (no airfoil shape), with the leading edge simply rounded off.  I built planes with such stabs and they flew well enough.  But when I went to giving the stab some airfoil, tracking was much better.  The plane was more stable around neutral, and corners were more precise.  Less bounce (overshooting).  Anyone else with the same experience regarding airfoiled stabs?

None of that might matter to you but it is something to consider if you have not gone that far in construction yet.


With a sharp LE! I use a piece of .025 wire glued to the centerline then sand down to it.  IMHO airfoiled is best.

Ken
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Mike Quinn on September 27, 2024, 11:52:05 PM
Bit more progress

Not sure if bellcrank mount is a bit over the too but should be strong enough hopefully.  I had to glue paper between the ribs to stop the leadout binding on the ribs.  Works a treat but not sure what other people do.

The 1/8” steel wire comes in handy to help sand in the TE shape before gluing on rear sheeting.

Cheers

Mike
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Mike Quinn on September 29, 2024, 02:21:21 PM
Hi

Wing just about done.  Tips/adjustable lead outs and last bit of CS sheeting to add.  Had to add a false TE as I dropped the ball on the TE thickness.

Weight at this point, 52”, without pushrod, tips, tip weight box, adj lead outs or flaps is 250g.  Heavier than I wanted but I did just use ‘odds and sods’ scrap balsa and 8Ib RC model wood.  The TE sheeting was closer to 10Ib.

I’ll save my 4-6Ib stash for when I can avoid flying into the ground so often.  LL~

Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Mike Quinn on March 28, 2025, 01:05:36 PM
Hi

Nothing exciting but on with profile fuselage.

Was very flexible behind TE but stiffened it up for an extra 9g by cutting some 0.8mm carbon sheet, tapering from 18mm to 6mm.

Carbon cutting jig is a ChrisEdge BMFA (UK) design from the FreeFlight Forum reports.  Originally for making Carbon wings (cutting spars), for FF comp power models.

Works really well for all sort of cutting strip.  Can use a barrel micrometer for precision cutting.

Anyway, overkill for a Pizzaz  ;D





Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Mike Quinn on March 28, 2025, 01:08:51 PM
Need to carve/sand a little channel on top and epoxy strip in then will cap with 1/4 soft.

Mike
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Chuck Fabo on March 28, 2025, 07:01:33 PM
Nice build … thanks for sharing!

Kind regards, Chuck
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Mike Quinn on March 31, 2025, 08:39:27 AM
Hi

Just need the flaps now. 

Its not 100% accurate compared to the Pizzaz pdf I downloaded recently.  I took the 3rd hand Pizzaz I crashed as a template.

Mike
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Dave Hull on April 01, 2025, 02:30:16 AM
Love to see 'em "in the bones."

Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Mike Quinn on April 06, 2025, 11:48:29 PM
Hi

Basic structure done.  On to the hinges, bit of sanding and controls.

Mike
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Steve Helmick on April 09, 2025, 11:43:05 PM
Found the carbon strip cutter interesting! Thank you for posting those pics. Your Pizzaz should work well. G'day and H^^ Steve
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: wwwarbird on April 10, 2025, 07:44:45 PM

 Nice work!  y1
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Mike Quinn on April 11, 2025, 12:06:05 AM
Found the carbon strip cutter interesting! Thank you for posting those pics. Your Pizzaz should work well. G'day and H^^ Steve

Hi Steve … yeah, its a bit overkill for stripping longerons out of 1/8 but they are super accurate 😂

The flat aluminium bar is adjustable both ends and there is a block where a micrometer can be inserted to agjust the spacing at each end.  Superb for precision cuts on say 0.8mm carbon sheet for tapered spars on say an F1A or F1C.  Chris Edge published a number of pretty useful jigs in the BMFA forums reports.

https://youtu.be/HlebNsRY5vQ?si=pqXAlv1WaXPxQQee

Mike


Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: M Spencer on June 11, 2025, 06:59:26 PM
Heres the other bit .

(https://scontent.fmel12-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/503680267_10163852162409874_7860375656391457323_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=24ef35&_nc_ohc=Ntb9TAakbHAQ7kNvwGbnTEW&_nc_oc=AdkNY9mLxQAcjn4s5D7t8EIb4KSz22EZl9SwxVhA3N5C4Dg2MYpqCYlpn-LVcPybZfw&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fmel12-1.fna&_nc_gid=WSfs4Cjp_SGGG2RGSsZ4SA&oh=00_AfNFYZrpkClFbKVygljRLZkJRGTFRg1WPa226IReL7yPHw&oe=684FFD7D)

A 4 x 2 planed down to 1/2 inch , and hollowed out !  S?P Stolen from the kiwi facebook ' control line nz ' .

Gibsons seafang version , in a bit of a blow , with the FOAM WING , bowed about 5 inch + in consecutive loops , down low . A radius curve . Thus a bit of center section in a foam one wouldnt be amiss .
They were building these outta 4Lb balsa & monocoteish cove . No dope . at 45 ounce .
( Whereas the big Spit.  was unflexed . But built like a assault weapon . Somewhat more competant . And nottas blown about . THOUGH say 15 mph the LA 46 pizza was smooth & competant .
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Brent Williams on June 11, 2025, 10:08:43 PM
The crew down in NZ are doing cool stuff this year with the Pizzazzathon over on FB.  Fun to see their enthusiasm for this plane.
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Mike Quinn on June 12, 2025, 07:17:43 AM
Hi

Quick update.  Just about getting there.  Covered in yellow Oracover (I bought a job lot so enough for a couple of models). 

Fuselage covered in medium Jap and Nitrate. 

Dulling the Oracover with scouring/brillo pads before spraying with Klasskote (black checks) and ink lines like the one I crashed above above.  Will clear with 2K.

Bonus pic, my Dick Sarpolus Challenger which is at the same point.  Will spray this with Oracolor 2K but similar to the original DickS scheme … or as close as i can get with the colours I have.  Pity can’t get Oracover/Oracolor in Citrus yellow like the original.


Mike
Title: Re: Pizzaz with sliced ribs
Post by: Mike Quinn on June 12, 2025, 07:23:11 AM
Dick Saroplus Challenger with Cardinal fuse and wing.

Lol, i don’t intend to get caught short without a model to practice with again. 😂