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Scale Free Flight Forum => Peanut Scale => Topic started by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 20, 2026, 10:06 PM

Title: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 20, 2026, 10:06 PM
This is my first topic in this forum. Currently Im building Zlín Z-50 M in peanut scale. Im decided reposted this project to this site, if it's not a problem. Im building model based Lubomír Koutný plan with some modifications.
This picture shows which marking I chose:
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 20, 2026, 10:40 PM
The first off all fuselage and tail. Medium hard balsa for fuselage and light but strong balsa for tail..
Canopy made from thin plastic film
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 20, 2026, 11:51 PM
Building of wing and details of canopy, spinner and tail.
Elevator is covered by japenese tissue.
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: OZPAF on Mar 21, 2026, 01:23 AM
Very nice build.

John

Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 21, 2026, 12:38 PM
Rudder covered by japanese tissue.
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 21, 2026, 04:09 PM
The wing will be covered as two halves. For this reason, it was a good idea to additionally strengthen the root rib so that it would not collapse under the tension of the covering.
All additional adjustments are harder and take longer for me.
I made a template for the ribs from the drawing, then a plywood template according to which I cut the ribs. I fitted and glued them with CA and then sanded and polished them. Hopefully it will hold its shape!
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 21, 2026, 04:18 PM
I split the wings in half and made holes in fuselage for spars..
Now she has wings!!
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Squirrelnet on Mar 21, 2026, 09:45 PM
Really nice build Jiri, enjoying following this one
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 21, 2026, 10:20 PM
Quote from: Squirrelnet on Mar 21, 2026, 09:45 PMReally nice build Jiri, enjoying following this one
Thank you very much!👍🏻
Small detail on front of fuselage. It's only on the port side...

Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 22, 2026, 03:02 PM
Only small progress..
I don't know how to write it in English correctly.
Rubber hinge or holder? 🙈
It's 1,5 mm bamboo stick.
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: dputt7 on Mar 22, 2026, 03:57 PM
Nice work, The rear mount for the rubber is called lots of things but I just call it "the rubber peg".
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: TheLurker on Mar 22, 2026, 10:38 PM
Quote from: dputt7 on Mar 22, 2026, 03:57 PMNice work, The rear mount for the rubber is called lots of things but I just call it "the rubber peg".
Agree, lovely work and another common name is "motor peg".
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: OZPAF on Mar 23, 2026, 12:35 AM
Hi Jiri. Koutny's plans have always impressed me and your work is very good - what modifications did you make?

John
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 24, 2026, 04:08 PM
Quote from: Squirrelnet on Mar 21, 2026, 09:45 PMReally nice build Jiri, enjoying following this one
Thank you very much for your kind words!
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 24, 2026, 04:12 PM
Quote from: OZPAF on Mar 23, 2026, 12:35 AMHi Jiri. Koutny's plans have always impressed me and your work is very good - what modifications did you make?

John
Thank you John.
I made many modifications...
Airfoil, dimensions by the real pictures, mainly wing incidence
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 24, 2026, 04:17 PM
Time for small details...
Zlin has three louvres.
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Prosper on Mar 24, 2026, 06:22 PM
Hullo Jiri, can you tell us how you made those beautiful louvres?

Stephen. P.S. I say "motor peg".
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 24, 2026, 09:09 PM
Thank you very much ...

Hard, thicker paper that is varnished. The paper is cut at the louver location and then the louver is shaped with a thicker needle. Thats all.
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: ramses on Mar 25, 2026, 01:15 PM
Beautiful build and Zlin Jiri!

Cheers, Ramses
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Prosper on Mar 25, 2026, 07:37 PM
Many thanks for the explanation Jiri.

Stephen.
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 25, 2026, 07:52 PM
Quote from: ramses on Mar 25, 2026, 01:15 PMBeautiful build and Zlin Jiri!

Cheers, Ramses
Thank you very much Ramses..
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 25, 2026, 07:57 PM
Covering by Japenese tissue.
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 25, 2026, 07:58 PM
Continue...
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: g_kandylakis on Mar 25, 2026, 08:25 PM
Hi Jiri,

nice build, looks pretty light.

What type of tissue is the covering? Looks quite transparent so I imagine quite light.

Model target weight?

George
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: TheLurker on Mar 25, 2026, 10:14 PM
Quote from: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 24, 2026, 09:09 PMThank you very much ...

Hard, thicker paper that is varnished. The paper is cut at the louver location and then the louver is shaped with a thicker needle. Thats all.
Oh, how I wish I'd known about this technique a month ago.  Oh well, live and learn.  Stephen's right, they're little works of art.
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 25, 2026, 11:31 PM
Quote from: g_kandylakis on Mar 25, 2026, 08:25 PMHi Jiri,

nice build, looks pretty light.

What type of tissue is the covering? Looks quite transparent so I imagine quite light.

Model target weight?

George
Thank you very much George. It's fiber japanese tissue 6g/sqm. Very light but with many holes... it's necessary to fill it.
Target weight: 10g
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 25, 2026, 11:37 PM
Covered wings ...
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 25, 2026, 11:40 PM
Small detail on the nose:air vent. Made from scrap of balsa.
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 25, 2026, 11:42 PM
Fuel cap...😁
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: pb_guy on Mar 26, 2026, 05:02 AM
Beautiful work Jiri!
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: OZPAF on Mar 27, 2026, 02:15 AM
Could you provide more information on the airfoil and incidence changes?

John
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 27, 2026, 08:33 PM
Quote from: OZPAF on Mar 27, 2026, 02:15 AMCould you provide more information on the airfoil and incidence changes?

John
I increased incidence to 3 degrees instead of 1.
I decreased high of airfoil on the end of the wing...
I hope that its clear..😀
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 27, 2026, 08:49 PM
Fitting the wings to the fuselage. Inside the fuselage, the spars are joined and the balsa pieces are overlapped.
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 27, 2026, 08:53 PM
Closing the lower part of the fuselage. The pilot tried out the new machine for the first time. 😂
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 27, 2026, 08:57 PM
Next job is Zlin big fillets. First of all I made paper templates. I spent many time with this job...😠
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 27, 2026, 09:00 PM
Followed by the production of balsa fillets and fitting to the fuse,👍🏻
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 27, 2026, 09:02 PM
The same job from the bottom side...
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 27, 2026, 09:08 PM
Significant for this aircraft are its typical wing stamping. These are on both the upper and lower sides of the wing. The stamping are equipped with both flaps and ailerons.
 I made it from small strips of tissue...
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Lastwoodsman on Mar 28, 2026, 01:37 AM
Hi Jiri!   Excellent build and great pics!    8)

Lastwoodsman
Richard
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: OZPAF on Mar 28, 2026, 02:08 AM
Thanks for the information on the incidence and airfoil changes, Jiri.

I think your pilot would be proud  :)  - it's a very impressive build.

John
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 28, 2026, 08:39 PM
I tried to assemble Zlín for the first time on my table!😁✌🏻
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 28, 2026, 08:42 PM
The balancing surfaces on the elevator and wing are made of paper.
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Mar 28, 2026, 09:00 PM
Propeller made from 1,5 mm balsa and bamboo sticks.
Exhaust pipes are made from al tubes..
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Anyun on Mar 28, 2026, 11:59 PM
Beautiful structure and covering! It looks very lightweight.
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: dputt7 on Mar 29, 2026, 02:52 AM
Envious of your build skills, great work!
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Apr 04, 2026, 11:40 AM
Next issue is painting. Its always difficult for me. I chose challenging marking.
Hope that all will be running well.
I started with tail. Silver color is very ackward...
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Apr 04, 2026, 11:45 AM
Very special are shapes in the elevator and wings. Masking is high level for me!
Bottom side is blue and top side is red color.
Nose block in red and fin in blue! 😁
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Apr 04, 2026, 11:49 AM
I assembled it again...😁
Small shading in nose block..

Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Apr 04, 2026, 11:53 AM
Next job will be painting fuselage and wings by silver.
It's necessary prepare tissue bed very carefully.
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: OZPAF on Apr 05, 2026, 03:37 AM
It looks very light Jiri and that looks like very sharp masking.

John
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Apr 06, 2026, 10:44 AM
Wings after masking and airbrushing...
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Tim Horne on Apr 06, 2026, 02:01 PM
Very smart Jiri! How are you doing the masking for those curved shapes?
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Apr 06, 2026, 05:16 PM
Thank you very much Tim.
It's from Tamyia sheets.
Shapes are cut by thin plastic sheet, which I can sand to smooth shape.
I don't know if it's clear now 😁
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Tim Horne on Apr 06, 2026, 08:38 PM
Clear!
I thought it probably would be Tamiya sheets; asking just in case it was something different.
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: Jiri Pavlicek on Apr 07, 2026, 07:44 PM
Time to top deck and front of fuselage painting...
A little bit masking again !
Title: Re: Zlín Z-50 M
Post by: dputt7 on Apr 08, 2026, 06:04 PM
Nicely done.