Composite-ARF Extra 260
02-26-2006, 09:54 PM
#1
Composite-ARF Extra 260
I'm going to post pictures of the "build" as I put the gear in my Composite-ARF Extra 260.
[link=http://www.composite-arf-world.com/compositearfworld/httpdocs/index.htm]Composite-ARF Sales Rep, Bob Shapiro[/link], hooked me up with one of the first two of the "Yellow Kiwi" scheme Extra 260's to enter the United States. Only two in the country, and the Cirkus Crew gets the pleasure of getting one. Thanks Bob!!
The first attachment below is a picture of the scheme from the factory.
This plane is getting all new equipment. This will be my competition plane for the 2006 IMAC season, so the equipment being chosen is based on this criteria:
Performance
Reliability
Customer Service
Based on my criteria, I've chosen these suppliers for the major components:
[link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/]JR/Horizon[/link]
[link=http://www.desertaircraft.com/]Desert Aircraft[/link]
[link=http://www.smart-fly.com/]Smart-Fly[/link]
[link=http://www.fromeco.org/]Fromeco[/link]
I'll also be using accessories from:
[link=http://www.rcblimpproductions.com/]R/C Blimp Productions[/link]
[link=http://www.swbmfg.com/]SWB[/link]
[link=http://www.wrightrc.com/]WrightRC.com[/link]
As we go through this "build", please don't laugh too much. I haven't built any planes since 1999. My workshop is in the middle of the floor in my son's play room. My workbench is an old antique stool. You can see a picture of my workshop and workbench in the second picture attached below.
I've definitely got some things that I plan to do that isn't standard. I'll be sure and point those out as we go. If I successfully convert metric measurements to inches, I'll let you know what works. I'll also let you know what I run into that doesn't work.
Wish me luck!!
Dean Bird
2005 Tucson Shootout Intermediate Class Champion
2005 IMAC Southwest Region Intermediate Class Champion
[link=http://www.composite-arf-world.com/compositearfworld/httpdocs/index.htm]Composite-ARF Sales Rep, Bob Shapiro[/link], hooked me up with one of the first two of the "Yellow Kiwi" scheme Extra 260's to enter the United States. Only two in the country, and the Cirkus Crew gets the pleasure of getting one. Thanks Bob!!
The first attachment below is a picture of the scheme from the factory.
This plane is getting all new equipment. This will be my competition plane for the 2006 IMAC season, so the equipment being chosen is based on this criteria:
Performance
Reliability
Customer Service
Based on my criteria, I've chosen these suppliers for the major components:
[link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/]JR/Horizon[/link]
[link=http://www.desertaircraft.com/]Desert Aircraft[/link]
[link=http://www.smart-fly.com/]Smart-Fly[/link]
[link=http://www.fromeco.org/]Fromeco[/link]
I'll also be using accessories from:
[link=http://www.rcblimpproductions.com/]R/C Blimp Productions[/link]
[link=http://www.swbmfg.com/]SWB[/link]
[link=http://www.wrightrc.com/]WrightRC.com[/link]
As we go through this "build", please don't laugh too much. I haven't built any planes since 1999. My workshop is in the middle of the floor in my son's play room. My workbench is an old antique stool. You can see a picture of my workshop and workbench in the second picture attached below.
I've definitely got some things that I plan to do that isn't standard. I'll be sure and point those out as we go. If I successfully convert metric measurements to inches, I'll let you know what works. I'll also let you know what I run into that doesn't work.
Wish me luck!!
Dean Bird
2005 Tucson Shootout Intermediate Class Champion
2005 IMAC Southwest Region Intermediate Class Champion
02-26-2006, 10:02 PM
#3
RE: Composite-ARF Extra 260
Alright, let's get started.
The first thing I always do for all my Composite-ARF planes is paint the landing gear to match the planes. On the 2.6m Extra's I also bought some white 33% wheel pants to go on them. The 3.0m Extra 330S got yellow wheel pants instead of the standard red. You can see all my Composite-ARF planes below.
2.6m Extra 330L (flown in 2003)
2.6m Extra 330L (flown in 2004)
3.0m Extra 330S (expertly built by Darcy Wingo. Flown in 2005)
3.0m Extra 260 (the one we're building)
The first thing I always do for all my Composite-ARF planes is paint the landing gear to match the planes. On the 2.6m Extra's I also bought some white 33% wheel pants to go on them. The 3.0m Extra 330S got yellow wheel pants instead of the standard red. You can see all my Composite-ARF planes below.
2.6m Extra 330L (flown in 2003)
2.6m Extra 330L (flown in 2004)
3.0m Extra 330S (expertly built by Darcy Wingo. Flown in 2005)
3.0m Extra 260 (the one we're building)
02-26-2006, 10:12 PM
#4
RE: Composite-ARF Extra 260
Now that the gear is painted, the first step in the manual is to mount the gear. The landing gear plate already has the blind nuts installed, so all we have to do is drill the gear and bolt them on.
The is the photo from the manual with the measurements for drilling the holes.
I measured back from the front edge 19/32". I measured 1 9/16" from the curve in the gear leg for the outside hole. This measurement isn't critical because the gear leg extends out from the fuselasge before it curves down and there is space between the two legs when both are installed. The critical measurement is the distance between the two holes on the same leg. I measured 5 3/16" from the curve for the inside hole. If my math is correct, that puts the distance between the centers at 3 5/8". Drill the holes at 1/4" and we're done.
When I tried to bolt them on, I had to remove a little material at the front of the hole for the landing gear. You can see the round shape at the leading edge of the gear in the second picture below. Once that little bit of material was removed, the holes lined up perfectly. You can see the gear in the third picture below.
The gear is bolted on through the bottom of the fuse. The holes are already drilled in the bottom of the fuse to install the bolts through the gear. You can see the gear bolted on in the fourth picture below.
Fifteen minutes and we've already got main landing gear!!!
The is the photo from the manual with the measurements for drilling the holes.
I measured back from the front edge 19/32". I measured 1 9/16" from the curve in the gear leg for the outside hole. This measurement isn't critical because the gear leg extends out from the fuselasge before it curves down and there is space between the two legs when both are installed. The critical measurement is the distance between the two holes on the same leg. I measured 5 3/16" from the curve for the inside hole. If my math is correct, that puts the distance between the centers at 3 5/8". Drill the holes at 1/4" and we're done.
When I tried to bolt them on, I had to remove a little material at the front of the hole for the landing gear. You can see the round shape at the leading edge of the gear in the second picture below. Once that little bit of material was removed, the holes lined up perfectly. You can see the gear in the third picture below.
The gear is bolted on through the bottom of the fuse. The holes are already drilled in the bottom of the fuse to install the bolts through the gear. You can see the gear bolted on in the fourth picture below.
Fifteen minutes and we've already got main landing gear!!!
02-26-2006, 10:41 PM
#5
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RE: Composite-ARF Extra 260
Hello Dean!
Glad to see that you started. I also painted my gear to match the plane. I took the rudder to the local paint store last Thursday so thay could use their camera to match the paint. I have painted mine white and beleive me there is nothing on the shelf that matches Comp ARF White, thats why I went thru the local Dupont store and had a single stage enamel mixed. I also smoothed the wheel pants so that I can paint red to match the red vinyl on the plane. The other thing I did was take some 3M mild rubbing compound to the plane and what a difference... I will have pics of my plane as soon as my new digital camera arrives.
Sorry I hijacked your thread! I will post info on the Giant Scale forum in the future.
Thanks,
Perry
Glad to see that you started. I also painted my gear to match the plane. I took the rudder to the local paint store last Thursday so thay could use their camera to match the paint. I have painted mine white and beleive me there is nothing on the shelf that matches Comp ARF White, thats why I went thru the local Dupont store and had a single stage enamel mixed. I also smoothed the wheel pants so that I can paint red to match the red vinyl on the plane. The other thing I did was take some 3M mild rubbing compound to the plane and what a difference... I will have pics of my plane as soon as my new digital camera arrives.
Sorry I hijacked your thread! I will post info on the Giant Scale forum in the future.
Thanks,
Perry
02-26-2006, 11:17 PM
#6
RE: Composite-ARF Extra 260
ORIGINAL: PTS
Hello Dean!
Glad to see that you started. I also painted my gear to match the plane. I took the rudder to the local paint store last Thursday so thay could use their camera to match the paint. I have painted mine white and beleive me there is nothing on the shelf that matches Comp ARF White, thats why I went thru the local Dupont store and had a single stage enamel mixed.
Thanks,
Perry
Hello Dean!
Glad to see that you started. I also painted my gear to match the plane. I took the rudder to the local paint store last Thursday so thay could use their camera to match the paint. I have painted mine white and beleive me there is nothing on the shelf that matches Comp ARF White, thats why I went thru the local Dupont store and had a single stage enamel mixed.
Thanks,
Perry
You make a good point about the paint. I just used the Monokote spray can "White Primer, TOPR 7527" primer and "Jet White, TOPR 7505" paint for my first two planes with white gear.
Both of my yellow sets of gear were painted with the Composite-ARF yellow touch-up paint over the same Monokote spray can primer.
http://www.composite-arf.com/ar/Product?970006
You have to order hardener to go with these paints.
http://www.composite-arf.com/ar/Product?970012
After mixing, it's thinned with some automotive "urethane reducer" and sprayed on. Tony "quist" Quist was generous and sprayed the yellow for me. I did the spray can primer in my "spray booth" out by the gargabe can.
The Monokote spray can white and the Composite-ARF yellow touch-up paint both looked great.
I'll keep an eye on your thread for some pictures!!
Take care,
Dean
02-27-2006, 07:38 AM
#7
RE: Composite-ARF Extra 260
The next step is to mount the wheel pants. I didn't follow the method in the instruction manual. They drill a large hole in the outside of the wheel pant and then use a bolt as an axle.
I mounted the wheel pant so it's separate from the axle and wheel. It makes maintenace easier, I can to take the wheel pants off if I'm trailering the plane, and there's no hole in the outside of the wheel pants.
Before the gear legs were painted, I checked the fit of the leg into the recess in the wheel pant. I used a Dremel drum sander to make it slightly narrower and rounded the edges that go inside the recess in the wheel pant.
I mounted a Dubro 3/16" x 2" Axle in each leg. You can see the axle mounted in the first picture below. Notice the orientation of the hex nut. The wheels will be mounted using 3/16" wheel collars.
Next I cut a slot to allow the wheel pant to slide down the axle, and a hex shape to allow the wheel pant to go around the hex nut of the axle. You can see the cutout in the wheel pant in the second picture below. Now the gear leg should fit right in the recess in the wheel pant.
Now I glued a little piece of 1/8" plywood inside the wheel pant. Set the wheel pant back in place and drill two holes through the gear leg and through the wheel pant for 4-40 socket head screws. Take the wheel pant off and drill the holes in the wheel pant a little larger to accept a 4-40 blind nut. Install the blind nuts and put a little thick CA to keep them in place. You can see the installed blind nuts in the third picture below.
That's it. Set the wheel pant in place and bolt it on through the gear leg. It took me about 45 minutes to do both wheel pants.
I mounted the wheel pant so it's separate from the axle and wheel. It makes maintenace easier, I can to take the wheel pants off if I'm trailering the plane, and there's no hole in the outside of the wheel pants.
Before the gear legs were painted, I checked the fit of the leg into the recess in the wheel pant. I used a Dremel drum sander to make it slightly narrower and rounded the edges that go inside the recess in the wheel pant.
I mounted a Dubro 3/16" x 2" Axle in each leg. You can see the axle mounted in the first picture below. Notice the orientation of the hex nut. The wheels will be mounted using 3/16" wheel collars.
Next I cut a slot to allow the wheel pant to slide down the axle, and a hex shape to allow the wheel pant to go around the hex nut of the axle. You can see the cutout in the wheel pant in the second picture below. Now the gear leg should fit right in the recess in the wheel pant.
Now I glued a little piece of 1/8" plywood inside the wheel pant. Set the wheel pant back in place and drill two holes through the gear leg and through the wheel pant for 4-40 socket head screws. Take the wheel pant off and drill the holes in the wheel pant a little larger to accept a 4-40 blind nut. Install the blind nuts and put a little thick CA to keep them in place. You can see the installed blind nuts in the third picture below.
That's it. Set the wheel pant in place and bolt it on through the gear leg. It took me about 45 minutes to do both wheel pants.
02-27-2006, 12:18 PM
#9
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RE: Composite-ARF Extra 260
Hi Dean,
I hope you don't mind if I add some photos and captions to your thread..
Here's a photo of my wheelpants..I used the stock hardware and didn't secure the wheel pant to the gear..I know you have to remove wheelpants to avoid damage while in transit...
The second photo is of my rudder tray assembly. it is a 10$ tray off of Ebay with a leftover airwild arm added to it..I was all set to throw in a tray from one of my 3meters ..I checked the rudder horns on the 260 to find it is 1" wider than the 3m, so I need the 5' airwild arm to maintain correct geometry..The stock tray is lighter but I like to remove the assembly for maintainance occasionally.this setup has 3 5995Hitecs.. I spent a few hours matching these perfectly with no buzzing at center or endpoint..I can run these on a their own channel on the 14mz or I can use 1 channel and run all 3 off of 1 port on the Emcotec..Thinking ahead for the future owner..(I had them, so I used them ,the 5955 's I like better) Between the timing of the movement with the 5" arm and these 3 servos, this plane should snap really awesome!! I'm mounting the tray far forward , which will allow me to run a 3.8oz. carbon spinner, It also keeps a large weight mass component close to the CG and axis of rotation.. I'm really amazed at how much room I have in the fuse especially since I'm not going to run canisters or pipes!!
More in a few minutes after the camera battery recharges....
I already have the cowl done except for exhaust holes and the wing servo assy's are done.. The main hold up is waiting for UPS to bring the SWB motor mount..(the Easy way)...
Dave
I hope you don't mind if I add some photos and captions to your thread..
Here's a photo of my wheelpants..I used the stock hardware and didn't secure the wheel pant to the gear..I know you have to remove wheelpants to avoid damage while in transit...
The second photo is of my rudder tray assembly. it is a 10$ tray off of Ebay with a leftover airwild arm added to it..I was all set to throw in a tray from one of my 3meters ..I checked the rudder horns on the 260 to find it is 1" wider than the 3m, so I need the 5' airwild arm to maintain correct geometry..The stock tray is lighter but I like to remove the assembly for maintainance occasionally.this setup has 3 5995Hitecs.. I spent a few hours matching these perfectly with no buzzing at center or endpoint..I can run these on a their own channel on the 14mz or I can use 1 channel and run all 3 off of 1 port on the Emcotec..Thinking ahead for the future owner..(I had them, so I used them ,the 5955 's I like better) Between the timing of the movement with the 5" arm and these 3 servos, this plane should snap really awesome!! I'm mounting the tray far forward , which will allow me to run a 3.8oz. carbon spinner, It also keeps a large weight mass component close to the CG and axis of rotation.. I'm really amazed at how much room I have in the fuse especially since I'm not going to run canisters or pipes!!
More in a few minutes after the camera battery recharges....
I already have the cowl done except for exhaust holes and the wing servo assy's are done.. The main hold up is waiting for UPS to bring the SWB motor mount..(the Easy way)...
Dave
02-27-2006, 12:44 PM
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RE: Composite-ARF Extra 260
Hi Dean,
Here's a photo of the completed wing servo assemblies...The servos are 5955's. I set the throw to exactly 45dgrees each way with 100% afr on the driving servo and match the slave servo to it.I also can run these on a separate channel for each servo on the 14MZ orI can run them on 1 channel and port on the Emcotec .(for future owner with 9Z or 10X) Next step is to make harnesses with the Multiplex plug assy's(Lots of soldering!)
I think I am going to drill a hole between the servos, install a rubber grommet and run the wires through that way..
Also,here's a photo fo the plane dummied up on my worktable..I might have this thing done for Bakersfield!!
I spent about 3 hours goofing around trying to fit a 157CS in there, but I didn't want to cut the cowl to make it fit..Looks like we're gonna be SALA powered!
Dave
Here's a photo of the completed wing servo assemblies...The servos are 5955's. I set the throw to exactly 45dgrees each way with 100% afr on the driving servo and match the slave servo to it.I also can run these on a separate channel for each servo on the 14MZ orI can run them on 1 channel and port on the Emcotec .(for future owner with 9Z or 10X) Next step is to make harnesses with the Multiplex plug assy's(Lots of soldering!)
I think I am going to drill a hole between the servos, install a rubber grommet and run the wires through that way..
Also,here's a photo fo the plane dummied up on my worktable..I might have this thing done for Bakersfield!!
I spent about 3 hours goofing around trying to fit a 157CS in there, but I didn't want to cut the cowl to make it fit..Looks like we're gonna be SALA powered!
Dave
02-27-2006, 12:51 PM
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RE: Composite-ARF Extra 260
Hey Dave!
Did you go all the way forward against the former? What did you use as the rudder tray mounting pads and how high? Looks like some sort of laminate. I just sent my DA-150 to Mark at SALA. I hear nothing but good about his mods... I have never used Multiplex Connectors before and am curious on how to properly solder/assemble these.
Thanks,
Perry
Did you go all the way forward against the former? What did you use as the rudder tray mounting pads and how high? Looks like some sort of laminate. I just sent my DA-150 to Mark at SALA. I hear nothing but good about his mods... I have never used Multiplex Connectors before and am curious on how to properly solder/assemble these.
Thanks,
Perry
02-27-2006, 01:11 PM
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RE: Composite-ARF Extra 260
Perry,
I'm about 3/8'" back from the gear former.on the front mount..(In case of a bad landing And subsequent repair,You want to have a little room to sand!) I take my stock tray, dummy it together,Check the height of the stock servo assy..The mounts are a couple of pieces of 1/2 ply glued together and then i cut the angle on my Bandsaw.(Needs a new blade , see how the wood got"warm"?) Do the best you can to keep the rudder cables at 90 Degrees to the hinge line of the rudder! This will keep the plane from porpoising in knife edge and doing little "wiggles" in rolling circles
The wing servo arms are Airwild MLP 1-1/2 on the driver and a I drilled a hole@1-1/4 to match the slave servo's 1-1/4arm..Balllinks with a H9 titanium 2-1/2' link connect the 2 servos..
I'll show the Multiplex connector deal in another post,but it's right there in the assy manual!
Dave
I'm about 3/8'" back from the gear former.on the front mount..(In case of a bad landing And subsequent repair,You want to have a little room to sand!) I take my stock tray, dummy it together,Check the height of the stock servo assy..The mounts are a couple of pieces of 1/2 ply glued together and then i cut the angle on my Bandsaw.(Needs a new blade , see how the wood got"warm"?) Do the best you can to keep the rudder cables at 90 Degrees to the hinge line of the rudder! This will keep the plane from porpoising in knife edge and doing little "wiggles" in rolling circles
The wing servo arms are Airwild MLP 1-1/2 on the driver and a I drilled a hole@1-1/4 to match the slave servo's 1-1/4arm..Balllinks with a H9 titanium 2-1/2' link connect the 2 servos..
I'll show the Multiplex connector deal in another post,but it's right there in the assy manual!
Dave
02-27-2006, 01:35 PM
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RE: Composite-ARF Extra 260
Darcy,
My SX was done the same way!! I just wish that Multiplex had a 9 pin connector ,So i could throw 3 servos in each wing and still"Plug and Play"!!! My SX had a plug+ an extra wire for each wing...
Yeah, i couldn't help myself...Dean has yellow ,Pery has all white,I might as well throw in my Turquoise!!!
Dave
My SX was done the same way!! I just wish that Multiplex had a 9 pin connector ,So i could throw 3 servos in each wing and still"Plug and Play"!!! My SX had a plug+ an extra wire for each wing...
Yeah, i couldn't help myself...Dean has yellow ,Pery has all white,I might as well throw in my Turquoise!!!
Dave
02-27-2006, 07:27 PM
#17
RE: Composite-ARF Extra 260
ORIGINAL: mu2driver
Dean what type of Catalist did you end up using for the paint?
Dean what type of Catalist did you end up using for the paint?
I ordered the Composite-ARF hardener to go with the touch-up paint.
http://www.composite-arf.com/ar/Product?970012
Later,
Dean
02-27-2006, 11:51 PM
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RE: Composite-ARF Extra 260
The wing servo arms are Airwild MLP 1-1/2 on the driver and a I drilled a hole@1-1/4 to match the slave servo's 1-1/4arm..Balllinks with a H9 titanium 2-1/2' link connect the 2 servos..
I have never used Airwild MLP Arms. Is the offset different on these compared to a SWB arm? The reason I ask is I do not want to remove any material on this plane to make either brand fit without interference. Maybe I am thinking to far ahead and maybe the manual explains this. Any thoughts?
Perry
02-28-2006, 07:28 AM
#22
RE: Composite-ARF Extra 260
The next step in the manual is to mount the tailwheel. I'm using the "Extra Large" Titanium Tailwheel from R/C Blimp Productions.
http://www.rcblimpproductions.com/tailwheels.html
The fuselage already has a plywood plate inside the fuselage where the tailwheel attachs. The first attachment below is the picture from the manual.
The only thing noteworthy in this step may be the placement of the four brackets. I put a pair of brackets on each end. You can see them in the second picture attached below. I figured all the loads are going to be at the ends of the wire, so that's where I installed the brackets.
http://www.rcblimpproductions.com/tailwheels.html
The fuselage already has a plywood plate inside the fuselage where the tailwheel attachs. The first attachment below is the picture from the manual.
The only thing noteworthy in this step may be the placement of the four brackets. I put a pair of brackets on each end. You can see them in the second picture attached below. I figured all the loads are going to be at the ends of the wire, so that's where I installed the brackets.
02-28-2006, 01:47 PM
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RE: Composite-ARF Extra 260
Dave,
What area on the cowling would you have to cut to fit the 157. I have a buddy getting his 260 in this week putting a 157 in his and I am going to have to help him put it together.
What area on the cowling would you have to cut to fit the 157. I have a buddy getting his 260 in this week putting a 157 in his and I am going to have to help him put it together.
02-28-2006, 09:19 PM
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RE: Composite-ARF Extra 260
FYI!!!
I e-mailed Frazer Briggs/PBG Composites and asked if the had a CF wing tube to fit the 260. I received a reply today! The part# PBG50T(50mmx1200). They referred me to Desert Aircraft.
Perry
I e-mailed Frazer Briggs/PBG Composites and asked if the had a CF wing tube to fit the 260. I received a reply today! The part# PBG50T(50mmx1200). They referred me to Desert Aircraft.
Perry