Topic: Xigris

Hinging with Beli-Zell

June 14, 2011 – 12:05


I’ve been searching for something other than epoxy to glue pinned hinges with, and I think I found it at last. Beli-Zell, from Adhesions Technics in Germany works brilliantly, it’s strong, and easy to apply. I’ve always thought epoxy was wasteful and difficult to work with. Epoxy is not easy to get it in the hinge slot, and it’s runny until it cures. Most often you have to tape or oil the hinge pins to avoid them getting permanently stuck. It just takes a long time and is difficult to get right with epoxy.

I’ve experimented with Beli-Zell before, using a file to roughen the surface area of the hinges so that the Beli-Zell glue would adhere better. I used normal Beli-Zell, the green tube which is an expanding polyurethane glue. A lot of hingepins got glued stuck, but no hinges came off. Semi-successful at best.


Two types of Beli-Zell: The white one is perfect as a hinge glue

This time I’ve tested both the green (clear/yellow glue) and the orange (white glue) tube. The Beli-Zell white (20 min) tube is simply something completely different. Using Du-Bro pinned hinges, I glued one with each type of Beli-Zell to a balsa trailing edge. The next day, I tried to remove them. I was able to, using great force, to pull the clear Beli-Zell hinge out. Looking at the hinge, I saw the glue had only partially adhered to the surface. White Beli-Zell was another story. It was stuck, and no amount of force would remove it. I cut away the wood to inspect the hinge, only to find that it was totally merged with the wood. A blob of glue from each tube confirmed that the white Beli-Zell is in fact more elastic, In the picture, the white blob is still slightly rubbery, while the clear glue is stiff and brittle. And best of all – the white Beli-Zell does not expand into the hinge pin. It’s just a a tiny bit to thick, so it doesn’t come in contact with the pin at all. What’s more, the tip of the glue tube fits the hinge slot – two licks of glue in the slot, push the hinge in, and wait for it to set – done! No mess, and no working with old knife blades and epoxy. I just hinged the entire Xigris this way using white Beli-Zell, and it was all done in one evening. I’m never going back.

By Jon Gunnar Wold | Posted in equipment | Other topics , , | Comments (0)

Xigris C1 build progress

April 6, 2011 – 12:26


Here’s a quick update on how the Xigris is doing.

– Wings are almost done, just final sanding around the root now that the root ribs are installed. Covering is next.
– One central bolt will hold the wing, with the incidence adjuster as anti-rotation pin in the back and one pin in front.
– The kit comes together very smartly, part fit is excellent and apart from the wing root ribs I’ll end up using all of the included parts.

Here’s the gallery with all pictures to date:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aerowold/sets/72157626024138550/

By Jon Gunnar Wold | Posted in My planes | Comments (0)

Xigris C1 build

February 11, 2011 – 14:48


The Xigris, my first 2×2 electric is underway.

Equipment:
– Plettenberg Evo
– Kontronik Jive 100 HV
– Futaba FASST
– 9650 x 2 in stab
– 9154 x 2 ailerons
– BLS154 rudder

Follow the build here

By Jon Gunnar Wold | Posted in electric, equipment, My planes | Other topics , | Comments (0)

Ligier Gitanes Xigris

November 21, 2010 – 09:02

gitanes_girl-in-smoke
I was very depressed when I crashed my Laser. And when I’m down I go shopping. After a few text messages on the eve of the crash I was up one ZN line Xigris kit, a Plettenberg 30-10 outrunner and a Kontronik Jive 80 controller. Turns out it pays off to spread the word when you’re in the market for a new plane. Chances are somebody has a surplus kit or last years model standing around.

I’ve always had a soft spot for formula 1, and the 1970-80s brand cars in particular. Cigarettes and oil brands dominated in those days and are beautifully retro to look at now more than 30 years on. You remember Tyrell, Elf, Marlboro, Rothmans and the incredible all-black and gold striped John Player Special cars don’t you?

l_1982-swiss-switzerland-grand-prix-dijon-prenois-poster

In honor of the early 1980s liveries that have stuck in my head since childhood I’ve decided to make a very special paint job for the Xigris. I’ve tried to emulate the look of the 1982 season Ligier Gitanes look. Gitanes is a French sigarette brand, quite appropriate for the French made and French-sounding Xigris, don’t you think? At least it will be quite original and eye catching. (The 3-view is not of a Xigris, but it’s close enough)

xigris-design

By Jon Gunnar Wold | Posted in electric, My planes | Comments (0)