Zeta Ultra-Z Blaze pusher jet - Phoenix R/C simulator - SupermotoXL Designs

Details: Published: 15 June 2023

dev dhc6 xl 94

About

So were back again with another of my simulator R/C project for 2023! Honestly not in the mood for any project this because got busy having fun with VR but i got to push my lazy ass to keep my RC hobby enthusiasm going even though i've aged through time...a bit of wrinkle on my forehead. I haven't been posting my projects for a while but today i have a surprise! Here's a park flier model that fill me lots of curiosity yet interest me; a simple delta wing style jet: 'ZETA ULTRA-Z BLAZE'. I decided to create this because its the most troublesome model to 'hand launched' and probably some random days bad luck would happen (touch wood) but dev dhc6 xl 94 hope not. Fortunately in real life i've maiden it well without problem and manage to return home in one pieces and clean foam. The irony was every hand launch routine on this plane is a gambling game i have to play. On other side of the coin some owner of Ultra-Z Blaze have misfortune getting nose dive on first day of maiden as i've found out more through forum and Youtube videos highly likely turn out to be dubious factory setup and manual instruction that still vague/questionable to this day. This is the only R/C plane model that has weird most upwards maximum elevator up trim to keep it level as instructed by manufacturer at final say...almost not enough room to pull a basic up loop in the air. That's why i decided to build this model virtually for Phoenix R/C simulator for a fail safe test run so new owner can get some 'feel' of this plane on PC simulator before flying the real one. This 'ZETA ULTRA-Z BLAZE' park flyer model can be fitted with single or twin 64mm EDF fan or a pusher prop configuration and runs on common 3s 2200mah 40C li-po battery pack....sweet!

FYI; I got this kit at end year 2022 as surplus from local R/C buddies when buying their models in bulk via boot sale. Hand assembled and maiden it without a problem on the first day. However it was a challenging to hand launched it as it known to nose dive due to iffy flight control throw setup during early instruction manual. For any first time owner of this model its a gamble to maiden it on its first day, there are lots of Youtube video feature first catastrophe maiden flight...all ended up trashed nose first. Pro tips; get your buddy to hand launched it for you so you could easily do a first time radio trimming by hand. Overall my advise for all your first time dev dhc6 xl 94 builder; trust the 'updated' manufacturer manual book even tough it raises some eyebrows. For my thrusts setup i run it as pusher prop configuration with 3s 2200mah 40C, 20A ESC, 2208N 2100KV brushless outrunner motor and APC style 5x6 propeller (Noted: In Phoenix R/C Simulator model i bump up the motor KV/RPM for more thrust).

I'm not really impressed nor excited flying this model because it feels so 'limited' and lack of agility. It feels i'm flying a dart rather than being a basic fun jet. Most of my park jets can do aerobatics, flips and loops but the 'Zeta Ultra-Z Blaze' felt stiff on all sides and prefer to keep flying on almost straight lines. As a veteran flyer i feel this plane is a bit 'boring'.... no wonder there's not much fans filling the forum discussion groups on this plane model on the internet. Fortunately this kit is cheap enough not to feel regrets owning one but as for me i just love the aesthetic looks of this jet once its aiborne in the air, looks sleek! Definitely a keeper if you like the jet styling flying on straight line on budget propulsion system. I custom painted my own livery on this model and it looks good than plastering supplied stickers. After a long thought i've decide to make one into simulator to avoid future dents and scratches on my new Ultra-Z Blaze. Now let's build it!

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The build

First stage of the build; a simple orthographic style photograph of several view point of the 'Zeta Ultra-Z Blaze' are taken to create outline layout for 3D modeling tracing work. There are about 3x main trace panel; top, side and bottom of orthographic photography dev dhc6 xl 94 which will be aligned in all axis inside 3D modeling work space. Again like previous 3d modeling work all object meshes will be build inside ancient Z-MODELER 3d tool.

This time the model is easy to work on because it requires less amount of polygonal count which is almost half the amount of poly than previous sim models i used to build last years. 3D meshes values are; Vertices: 4119 and Faces: 5052 which all already include with collision (_col*) meshes low enough for low end PC or laptop processor to run smoothly on simulator Next phase some texturing works. 3D UV mapping is extremely easy and straight forward since the model parts are very 'direct' and open without any hidden nooks and crevices to slot the texture on 3d model surfaces.

At final phase, i'm using 'PHOENIX BUILDER' to apply all functional mechanics such as model physics, flight control surfaces, thrust unit and etc on to the completed 3D meshes of Ultra-Z Blaze model to be compile and make it work inside Phoenix R/C Simulator. Overall the build took just under 5 hours tops.

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Real world 'ZETA ULTRA-Z BLAZE':

3D construction:

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Texturing works and decaling:

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Applying control surface and parameters:

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Final production in R/C Phoenix:

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Below are the virtual stock attributes value on 'Zeta Ultra-Z Blaze' in Phoenix R/C, i setup the aircraft as 'Park flyer' type in simulator:

Actual wingspan: 790mm
Flying weight: 0.58kg
Thrust configuration: Pusher prop.
Motor unit: 2208N 2100KV brushless outrunner (On my real model setup but different on simulator)
Propeller blade count: 2 blade 5x6
Flight control surface: Elevon (Elevator + Elevator mix)
Main wing airfoil type: MH 32
Side fuselage airfoil type: NACA 0015
Launch & landing method: Hand launch + Belly landing (No landing gear)

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Flight characteristic

For starter its a hand launched dev dhc6 xl 94 model, it requires 100% of full thrusts and up elevator ready to counter any unexpected nose dive which is true during my first maiden flight with real world model. Once in the air it flies straight like a dart on rails once you do some up trim, by default i purposely did a small nose heavy effect which is what the model will do in real life. On aileron roll its very twitchy yet responsive unless you have 'EXPO' setup to 45% or putting it to low rate servo throw. However its very lack of elevator authority even at 100% 'EPA' setup. Pulling a big aerobatic loop can be a bit challenging as it response quite slow on full elevator pull. In real world the 'Ultra-Z Blaze' seems to perform poorly on elevator control even at max 120% EPA or full rate. So if you've flown delta wings before this one will be half of your expectation on agility side. You'll need full thrust power on the motor/ dev dhc6 xl 94 prop to get all the maneuverability to work including executing loop and turns. It takes huge radius to turn around via 'bank-n-yank' maneuver. Fortunately it doesn't stall easily but rather do a slow gradual glide down to ground level if losses thrusts.

When it comes to landing surprisingly its has a good gliding performance once the throttle is cut off and very controlled nose dive if you keep your thumbs on the elevator stick all the time. Doesn't sink easily but with good elevator control you can glide to land and very in smooth manner without stalling thanks to its delta wing configuration. Overall impression; if you're into aerobatics and agility don't put much high expectation on this plane; it handles like a dart, does fast if you wanted to be but not as agile as any of my real world electric R/C 'pusher' jet plane. Not my favorite but i like the looks once its up in the air.

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Summary

Did i enjoy flying the 'ZETA ULTRA-Z BLAZE'?..hmmm...not so much. Both in real world and in simulator i don't feel the thrill and excitement flying this model because dev dhc6 xl 94 its less agile than what i used to enjoyed like the 'Hobby King/Art-Tech Pitts Special' or the 'ZETA Wing Wing Z-84.' Both real and simulated form i can spin and flip around easily full stick....i'm a stick basher so that how i like to fly it. For those beginners and intermediate level who wants a docile pusher jet to cruise around normally, wanted extra simulated challenges and going fast at linear control would probably love this 'ZETA ULTRA-Z BLAZE' model without bells and whistle.

Overall the Ultra-Z Blaze is a good looking budget park flyer pusher jet to train yourself how to fly one before moving to full fledge expensive EDF jet or model alike. As for me i just love the looks of this model once airborne and the mechanical simplicity having just two servos and pusher thrust unit ready to toss by hand and fly. If you're good at flying this model in simulator then should 'OK' enough to get the real kit and go outdoors enjoying flying this model. Make sure you learn how to hand toss the model properly or seek help from your RC buddy for your first maiden 'trim' flight. Good luck.

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