Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Fella's i have a Great Planes Extra 330L under construction. The build to date as been tagged on to an old thread in the 3D forum. I feel like i am "stepping" on the originators thread. I have a long ways to go to finish this plane so i thought it would be more appropriate to start a new thread and in the Kit Building forum that is really more suited to this particular Extra. This is an older kit that Great Planes discontinued several years ago. Wingspan is 100.5" power for this one will be a Zenoah GT-80. If you would like to review what has been posted it is here http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_349558/mpage_3/tm.htm
Today the right wing panel was slid on to the wing tube for the first time. Even the pooch didn't mind me taking up her space temporarily.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Made some decent progress on the left wing panel this weekend.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

This is going to be one nice plane!

After a lot of looking around I finally found one of these last spring. I would really like to build it, but my 7C 72fm radio would not do it justice. I am always running out of channels even on my smaller planes. So after a radio update a year or two from now, there will be a GP Extra on my build table. In the mean time, I've had the plans out several times studing them, and I keep the manual beside the golden throne, so I just about have it memorized.

I have searched this plane on here before and don't think I have ever found a build thread on it. These build threads take a lot of the builders time to do, but I would like to see all the pictures you can stand to post.

Keep up the good work.

Pat

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Oldscaleguy,

I'm watching your build with great interest as I have one of these kits to build also. I'm about two months out on starting mine. I'm working on a Super Decathlon now but should finish it in about a month. I plan to do a plans build on a wild thing but, that should be pretty fast. There's not much to them. After that, I plan to start my 330L. If you will allow and still have this thread going I may add mine here with yours. I'm subctibing to this thread so I can keep up with your build.
From what I have read in other threads, you may want to enlarge the elevators if you fly any 3D. I look forward to your build.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Thanks fella's. Sure join in with your build as well. The more the merrier.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

I've just started working on mine again and I noticed that the wing jig for the trailing edge looks like a banana at one end. The joint is straight, one of the pieces is curved. Was your jig like that?

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Sorry to hear that, mine is straight. Can you make another one?

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

I will make another one if you can confirm the following measurements:

1" at the wide end

3/8" at the narrow end

47 7/8" in length

I don't know if your firewall is drilled yet, but the spinner is mis-drawn on the fuse side view. The spinner is not symmetrical with respect to the thrust line. They point out that the spinner rides high in some reviews, but they never explained why. You would have to lower the engine about 1/8", or get a slightly smaller spinner.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Your dimensions are correct. My firewall is drilled, i had not heard of an alignment issue. If needed, i can plug the holes and move them down, not what i would like to do of course but will if needed. Thanks for the heads up.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Your plans may be correct, but mine are not. The thrust line doesn't pass through the center of the spinner backplate, and the spinner itself is incorrectly drawn which helps to hide things. Thanks for the measurements.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

You are absolutely right. The instruction book calls for the engine centerline to be at 2 11/16 from the top of the firewall when actually it is 2 9/16. It is 2 11/16 from the top of the access cover. Needless to say i am not too happy about this but will move the holes accordingly when the cowl is fitted.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Took a vacation day yesterday and made some good progress. The left wing panel is now as far along as the right and was able to slide them both on the wing tube with the square fuse structure last evening. Might have gotten a little farther yesterday but a very nice afternoon required a trip to the flying field for six fun filled flights.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Subscribing. Big fan of this plane here! I've got a kit sitting here waiting for the right time. I've contemplated several engines... would like the ZDZ 80, I almost bought a BME 110.. dont' know yet. When its right it will come along.. I've got some more saving to do though.. I am gathering components though.. got the wheels, fuel-tank, it just takes time.

Looks like an awesome start here too. Glad you moved it to your own thread... work of this sort deserves its own forum.. keep up the good work...can't wait to see how this unfolds.. :)

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Fully understand it takes time to accumulate all of the equipment. I still have some gathering of some servos and other items to do. The Zenoah GT-80 is something i already owned before this project started. I would really like to have a 100 cc class engine for it but can't swing that at the moment.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

A couple of minor changes regarding the ailerons. Added 1/4 X 3/8 spruce blocks for the servos and changed the control horn mounting plates by replacing the 1/8 small light ply plate to a full rib width 1/8 (5) ply plate with the stock light ply plate on top. Just some added insurance.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

I notice you left the plugs in your wing-ribs. I'm wondering how you secure your wiring within the wing, or route/access it? Also, correct me if I'm wrong.. as its been a while since I studied my manual on this ship.. I believe it has the option of one or two aileron servos... and how many will you be using?(if I'm not mistaken on that option that is)...

I ran across some really nice cardboard type tubes that house the wiring extremely well.. Dons Hobby still carries that stuff I do believe.. but it weighs nothing.. and they're easy easy to install.. I can post a pic of a recent install/use if you like.. just for a reference.. I've got a build thread going over on RCGroups on a Dazzler.. little fun flyer.. and these tubes once again proved perfect for aileron wire. :)

Your build is looking great though.. and yes it does take time.. takes time to gather money.. takes time to gather materials.. and once that's done... takes alot more time to build.. I can't think of a whole lot that I like to do more though.. and it keeps me out of trouble... well.. most of the time. :)

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

I left the ribs in just for added support more for handling and transporting. There is a weight penalty but IMHO it is worth the slight added weight. You are right there is a 2 servo option, which i am using. In each rib i have cut a small rectangular hole for the servo connector to pass through at the root of the wing where it is fully sheeted there is a paper tube i picked up at Toledo a few years ago probably simular to the one you are describing. I will post a better picture soon.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Looking good. I'm going to "borrow" the servo mounting block idea. I'm plugging along on the right wing at the moment.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Well good. Please add some pictures of your progress.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Oh cool!! Another one! Pics Pics! :)

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

As promised, here are some pics that show the rectangular holes cut in the ribs for the servo connectors and the small paper tube at the root of the wing panel for the connectors to pass through where the wing is fully sheeted. The aileron sheeting is close to finished. I am kicking the tires on making my own Y harnesses. Anyone ever try that?

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Made some decent progress today. Both wing panels are ready for the ailerons to be separated from the main wing. Probably will not get to do much until next weekend. This working for a living is for the birds, darn bills.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Wing panels and horizontal stab tubes are now drilled and tapped, very happy with the way things are aligning, straight and true so far. Now it is time to add some shape to that square looking fuse.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Side formers and stringers added. It is starting to look more like a fuselage than a freight train. One word of caution is to check all of the parts inventory before starting. (Hind sight is a wonderful thing). There were 2 pieces of 1/4 square balsa and 1 piece of 1/8 X 1/4 basswood missing from the kit. Not a big deal at all because i had some 1/4 square and was able to rip a piece of 1/8 X 3/8 basswood down to 1/4. However, if i had not had these it would have been a show stopper until i could get them. There is no LHS in this area.

RE: Great Planes Extra 330L Build
 

Sheeting added today to the side formers. Not too difficult but was time consuming was at it for about 8 hours today (well, i did take a little time to work on a scratch built foamy). :)