Greetings chaps,
Here are the first pictures of the extant tailgroup of the provisionally designated Z-3 Superflitzer, a slightly enlarged Flitzer Z-21 derivative for the 'fuller figured' among pilots, which also has a deal of charisma along more aggressive and fighter-like lines - for would-be gunfighters and air combat afficionados.
It provides a deeper fuselage, whose front-end will easily accommodate the greater depth of a Continental A65 or C85 installation, while maintaining the correct thrustline and bullet cowling design of the marque. Wing area is provisionally 118'sq. with a span of 19' and a length of 15', so it's only 12" greater in wingspan and some 2" longer than a standard Z-21. By comparison the Stummelflitzer has a 17.5' (upper) span and is a few inches shorter in length, while the Meteor and Goblin are respectively shorter all round, with the Goblin being the smallest, spanning 16'10" and measuring but 13' in length.
It would feature the standard USA 35B airfoil, common to all Fitzer derivatives except the SK26, which uses an 80% (slimmed down) USA 35B section. Most of the Z-21 laser-cut metal will fit the projected Z-3, but the design is by no means a 'definite' as yet, with so many other variants to conclude and so many exciting prototypes already under way.
Best wishes,
Lynn
Subject: Re: [Flitzer-Builders] Projected Superflitzer
From: Benoit de Mulder
Date: Wed, July 9, 2003
To: Flitzer-Builders@yahoogroups.com
What will be the difference with a Z-2 built as single seat?
Simple question : I'm 6ft6 , 235lbs , which model fit the best for me :)
Thanks
Benoit
Hi Benoit,
The reason for contemplating the Z-3 is precisely that many enquiries have been received over the years from would-be Flitzer builders whose weight would have limited the fuel endurance of the standard Z-21 Flitzer, not to say spoiled its otherwise sprightly all-round performance.
As a second string to the Z-21, should the performance of the prototype been disappointing in some way, an initial study for the Z-21A was for a 'big winged' Flitzer, with a wider fuselage. The immediate success of the standard 97'sq. wing model, however, overshadowed the thinking behind the enlarged model, and the '21A' designation was retained merely for the slightly wider fuselage (24") of the standard model, retaining the original wing.
Over time, I felt that there was perhaps resistance in some quarters towards the basic VW at 1834cc, and various motors, such as the Corvair and the smaller Continentals have been suggested as alteratives, neither of which will fit even a modified Z-21 without quite drastic surgery, and impacting on fuel capacity, and even then wing area would need to be addressed if the wing loading was to be similar to that of the Z-21.
The two-seat variant, the Z-2, had been considered by one builder as a single-seat option, providing a bigger all-round aeroplane, but is is a significantly more complicated design, and there seemed little point in re-hashing it yet again for a single-place option: so that individual has now commenced construction of a Type S Stummeflitzer. Furthermore, the construction of the Z-2 is still in its early stages, so general distribution of plans for this model will be some way off.
Probably the projected Z-3 Superflitzer (provisional designation) would be ideal in your case, as it conforms very closely indeed with the geometry and mass distribution of the Z-21, and this machine would be optimised for the Continental A65, C85 etc. However, no more than initial roughs have been drafted for this variant, and like all the other experimental types, distribution of plans for unproved prototypes carry a weighty onus on the supplier and the builder in this litigious times.
One a brighter note, if the type does proceed, it will require a minimum number of drawings to accompany the basic Z-21 build set, which is in lieu of a manual, due to the relative simplicity of the design, and will use a large number of Z-21 laser-cut metal components, with a few Type S components in critical areas.
Best wishes,
Lynn Williams
December 2, 2004
...At the beginning of this year, following a request from the USA, and from a Flitzer enthusiast in the UK, for a slightly bigger Z-Type, in which the very reliable and powerful Corvair flat-six engine could be installed, I began to draft the Flitzer Z-3 Falke. This design has a wingspan of 19'4", increased wing chords, bigger cross-sectional primary components, such as spar and longeron sizing, but differs most from all other Flitzers in terms of the internal fuel capacity offered, having two upperwing root tanks of 5 Imp. gals capacity each, and a main fusleage tank of at least 10 Imp. gals. The cockpit is 24" wide, like that of the Z-21A, while the fuselage is even deeper with ample leg room, although the Z-21A, with the 24" cockpit width, will also effectively cater for almost any size occupant. (NB. The both basic Z-21/Z-21A designs will comfortably cater for the long-legged, unless the firewall position is moved aft to accommodate 'special' engine configurations, with extensive ancillaries on the backplates.
At present there are two completed Z-3 sheets, covering all details of ribs, wing panels, wing root tank construction, etc. The original rectilinear Z-1 S fin and rudder is well suited to the Z-3, and will be formally re-drawn for that model, while an experimental tailplane originally built for the Z-1 prototype, having an additional 10% surface area and deeper spars than the Z-1, will form the basis of the Z-3 horizontal tail, but will be simplified, to make it structurally conform to the later Z-21 tail, but with a continuous leading edge - that on the Z-21 is divided, and slots in between the upper longerons.
As with all Flitzers, it is essential to have the basic Z-21 set of some 33+ drgs. in order to proceed, which form the constructional guide to all types. The cost of the additional sheets is based on the number of drawing required to complete the chosen variant, which in the case of the Z-3 is yet to be determined, but will not be more than eight additional sheets, in all probablity.
I attach an impression of how the Z-3 might look, along with the prototype Z-1 in flight, for comparison.
Gary Steadman has been flat out with a work project this last month or more, but I hope to hear from him soon.
I hope that above is helpful to you.
Best regards,
Lynn
February 8, 2005 - Note from the site owner:
There has been much discussion on the Flitzer Builders Yahoo group about the use of a Corvair automobile engine in the Z-3 Super Flitzer. Such an installation is currently under development. I have not had time to organize and present information on that subject here, yet (it's alot of info). However, I'd like to recommend that if you have an interest in the Corvair-powered Flitzer, please search the Group archives for posts about it. I think this will become a popular version and I'm very interested in it myself, having owned several Corvairs, including a 1962 Monza 900 coupe that I drove daily for about ten years.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Flitzer-Builders/
thanks,
Blake Palmer
Site Owner
February 8, 2006 - Update
I don't know whether Gary has all the drawings for the Z-3, but I can supply these. In any case to build any of the variants you would need the basic set as a 'build manual' for the series, so you've lost nothing by having these.
At present there are three main A1 sheets, covering the wing panels, fuel tanks, and ribs (drawn full size for the lower wing), all but the tipmost rib of the upper wing being drawn so far, fuselage, side-elevation and half-plan view, undercarriage and torqueshaft installation drawing. The fin, rudder and tailplane are also drawn on these sheets, but 1/2 scale and 1/4 scale detail drawings of the tailgroup will be issued in due course along with 1:1 detailing of the control system, etc. There is also a drawing of the updated engine mount double-shear plates, which replaces the firewall mounting for the engine truss. This is issued as Stummelflitzer drg. Z123/R for the time being, the plates being identical, although their vertical separation differs on the Z-3. A later sheet will be specifically drawn to show this installation on the Z-3, but the parts can be made in the interim.
I anticipate that there will be about six or seven sheets in total, completing the Z-3 set, with perhaps some additional weight and balance sheets, rigging data, etc., later on. Note that this aeroplane, like the later prototypes has yet to be stressed, and test flown. However it is essentially just a scaled-up Flitzer Z-21, with some improvements and additional endurance, so I don't anticipate handling problems.
I am uncertain whether Gary has enough data on this model to provide wood kits at present. Possibly your home grown timber would be a good proposition for this variant, with the increase in wing area, but one doesn't really want to compromise a really good performance at this stage.
I estimate that the full set would cost £60 (GBP) with another £5 or so for airmail. Only the initial three A1s and Z123/R are available or necessary, short term. Chris Bobka, of Minnesota, is a great enthusiast for the Z-3 in particular, and is currently doing an analysis of the machine. Another Flitzer builder is located in SA, Matt Ford, of Witkoppen 2068, Gauteng Province, who has a Z-21 set. I haven't heard from him in a while but you could try contacting him at PO Box 189 ( I seem to have lost his email address).
Best regards,
Lynn
February 24, 2006 - Rudder and Fin
Hello Z-3 builders,
This rough three-quarter view of the Z-3 fin and rudder structure may assist you in the short term. I will improve this drg. in due course and use it as part of the Z-3 drawing set.
It is a much better fin structure, though heavier, than that of the smaller Z-21, and had been intended as the Z-1S fin and rudder, until I reviewed the profile to harmonise with the longer nose of the then projected Praga installation.
It happened to fulfil the requirements of the more robust and heftier Z-3, so it was adopted along with the experimental (10% bigger) Z-21 tailplane. That stab. has itself now been revised to reflect the improvements and simplifications of the later (Type 2) Z-21 horizontal stab. and is now similar to that on the Z-2 Schwalbe.
Lynn
February 24, 2006 - Fin Details
Group,
For all would-be Z-3 builders here is some more detail for the fin structure, the fin brace wire lug which doubles as the washerplate for the top hinge, which has a single attachment bolt. The bottom double hinge bolts also attach the control horn onto the rudder spar.
Lynn
May 24, 2007 - Z-Type Double Shear Engine Mounting Plates for Z-3
Group,
Those building the Z-3 will have received a sample Z-1R drawing showing the engine mount plates which are common to the Z-3. Here is an incomplete drg which will be incorporated into the Z-3 sheets, which shows the disposition of the common double-shear fittings into the Z-3 forward fuselage, specifically the details of the longerons and doubles and the vertical dimension between the engine mount hole-centers which differs from the 'R' due to the shallower fuselage of the Stummelflitzers.
These fittings are also common to the Z-2 and F.2 Tiger, except that the lower undercarriage lugs are eliminated on the two latter aircraft types.
Best regards,
Lynn
