You'll easily do that... I used TWIN 1500mah NiCad, FIVE cell batts.... and alum tubes. If you did carbon, and carbon gear, carbon spinner, and li-on batts, you could probably hit 16.5 or 6. Post back here on your progress; I'd like to see what others do.

I do not want to hack your thread, but I will post a few "build progress" pics... Yeah, I initially thought 18 lbs all up would be normal, and that 17 would be my goal. It sounds now, that a few of you guys are getting near 16.5 now. Maybe I should shoot for low 16#'s. One thing that is going to hurt me is the header and canister exhaust. My field is cracking down hard on standard mufflers..

I wouldn't consider your posting "hacking" at all!!! This is a thread about the 30 Extra 260.... I don't care where the info comes from, I like to see everyone's stuff, and I'm sure we all would agree on that. The GP Ultimate thread has been going for over a year, with LOTS of contributions.... I think it's great to have everyone's stuff on a given model in one or two threads for ease of locating info.

I sure don't mind - hopefully no one else would object!

I think I am going to use Hitec 5645's on ailerons and elevators and a 5955TG on the rudder in the pull/pull setup... Ordering srvos now. I have flown several 30% planes with this with a lot of luck on 6 volts...

I will be very interested in seeing your cannister installation, I will have to run one as well. I'm also considering a full length pipe . Adding extra weight is always painful, I am hoping to keep the AUW under 16.5 lbs

I used a KS header with a 25 mm drop... no flex. I am pretty sure. Maybe it is 0 mm drop. I bought a slick canister hanger/mount from TBM as well. I will use a KS 86 canister. I trial fitted all this and it looks great. A regular front exit canister will not work in this 260 because of the gear mount..
http://troybuiltmodels.com/Mufflers.htm#plate

I am starting to wrap up my build of this plane and have a few more things to finish up. Anyone know a good way to trim the cowl for a DA50 with a Pitts muffler? I am trying to avoid butchering it up to get it to fit over the exhaust stacks. Is it ok to trim an inch or so off the stacks? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I trimmed the stacks so I did not have to chainsaw the cowl..

Just about finished today. Still need to mount the switches and batteries and a few details. The AUW came in at 15 lbs 8 oz with all the gear. I did use a CF landing gear, 16 oz tank and a CA aluminum tailwheel. My final weight might vary if I add a pilot and change the spinner to fiberglass or CF. The instruction manual is OK but not awesome. If you have built some ARFs then you should not have any issues. There is an error in how mount the elevator servos. The manual shows to mount them on the side of the fuse. They actually go in the elevator halves. The gear is a follows

DA50
Pitts Muffler
3" standoffs
Rudder HT 5955
Elevator HT 5985 x2
Ailerons HT5945 x2
Tail wheel Chief Aircraft billet aluminum
Fromeco Relion Batts 2400 mah x2
MPI switches with regs x2
Slimline fuel filler
Mezjlik 23x8 CF prop
Dubro 16 oz tank
Dubro aileron setup
SWB 1.25" servo arm x2
Airwild 1.5" servo arm x2
Stock spinner
Stockwing tube
Stock stab tube

Here's my weights sheet .... http://www.rcaerobats.net/AM_EXTRA/ExtraWeights.htm
Nearly TWO POUNDS difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????

UN-believable.........but LUCKY YOU!!!!!!!!!

It will be AWESOME at 15 - anything, for sure!

Attached is a "logo pic" of my custom Brillelli logos on the wing from http://www.badbradgraphics.com
Pretty good looking logo enlarged!!

Dart

I am ready to order my canister set up , Can you verify the drop of header you used?. You were not sure if it was 0 or 25mm. I'd like to use a non flex header and the Ks86 like you did. Any chance that you could post a picture of your installation?

Email Bill Hatcher, he is the one who told me what to get and it fits...
[email protected]

Finally got the maiden flight in today. Things went great. Lots of nice comments at the club field. The plane really flies nice and looks good. I set it up just a little tail heavy and will need to adjust it this week. Harriers, rolling circles, flats spins, KE spins were all good. I hope to shoot some video next weekend. Here are a couple of pics.

Good for you!!!! That's great to hear, hope mine does as well. It is done, balanced, ready to go... just need the time and the wx to come together!

Congrats on a good maiden!!!!!!!!!!

Two "maiden" flights today, and everything worked PERFECTLY. VERY good airframe, excellent Brillelli 60. CG right where "stock" is, and it is solid, steady, very agile, even on LOW rates. Elevator is SUPER sensitive, even with 35% expo on the low rate, so I may be a bit tail heavy, or just need more expo. Either way - it is FINE. Rolls very well, nice vertical presentation, yet will tumble if needed RIGHT noW!

All in all - a great couple of first flights, ready to do more.

I thought I remember someone else mention that they felt the recommended CG was a bit rearward in his flight report and the maiden was rather unnerving for him.

Progress has been slow on mine but I have really been impressed with the quality and the construction of the plane.

It does not sound like the weight of the plane presented any problems for you, I am still going to try to get mine a pound or so lighter if possible.

There are few things that will put a bigger smile on your face that a successful maiden flight. Good job!

Thanks.... interesting that a stock CG would feel "rearward", but it's easy to tweak and check.
You're right, too.... a good maiden is tough to beat...... (hyperbole intended )

Pics attached...

Put some time on the Extra yesterday.... after moving batteries forward about 5" to just behind the wing tube, mounted on top of the canister ply top. Made a big difference in handling, although it still pitches on k.e. a bit.
This is a very precise airplane, and really enjoyable to fly...although it comes in hotter than my Yak by a good bit. I figure that's just my throttle mismanagement, and I'll get the hang of it.

BIG "downside" issue, though - the Chinaluminum landing gear - as I found on my TOC Yak - must be made of aluminum-colored RUBBER. Mine just flexes, twists, and bends so easily that it reminds me of the OLD GP arfs with the thin Chinaluminum. So yes, it took out one of my 23 x 8 Xoar props, and NO, I am NOT happy about that. [:@]

Of course, if I could land better......

Graphtech has replacement gear for the GP Wagstaff (bow style) that probably will work, even though I'll have to narrow down the fuse mounting part because it's wider at the fuse than stock. Can't possibly hurt; the wheel pants already have huge cracks and repairs, so the maiden isn't to "fresh" anymore. At least on the landing gear.

So.... rechecking the wheels/pants after the spaghetti-bending of the landing gear. Of course, they nearly completely cracked through around the edge of the plywood plate on the inside of the pant on both of them. Not a surprise, I had not done my "usual" CF reinforcement around that.... now I have!

Interesting discovery during all of this - though not a "happy" one - the blind nuts provided in the stock hardware for the wheel pants, 6-32 for the ply plates. BROKE. Weird. The threaded portion pulled free/breaking from the flange!!!!!!!!!! [:-]

You can imagine my surprise, not to mention the REAL interesting challenge removing the wheel pants with those staying ON THE SCREWS!!!!!!! Sheesh.

Anyway - all better now - ready for the next round of gear-leg-bending-wheel-pant-stressing flights.

C'mon Graphtech!!!!!!!!!!!

Graphtech to the RESCUE!!!!!! Only $60, and I have BEAUTIFUL, stiff, and strong CF gear that look just GORGEOUS, and a BIG plus---I gained almost 2" prop clearance. Those who fly this bird knows that means a slower landing speed for three pointing.... love it!!!!

Installating the CF gear was not "easy", but neither was it a HORRIBLE experience. Just nasty CF dust....BTW - for those who choose this route (and I recommend it), you have to take about 1/4" off the rear of the CF gear across the width of the "fuse plate". That's it.

I reused the stock axles, my battered wheel pants, wheels, and collars, and the mounting hardware. So, all in all, this is just a "landing gear replacement".

Pics attached.

??

I saw two different wing area stats for this model in the internet. I measured mine and got 1349 sq"

I think you have to add the area of the fuse, and it gets above 1400. I haven't measured mine REAL closely, but it flies fine at whatever wing it has.

My figure does include the fuse area. Chief says 1400 and TroyBuilt says 1290. The low number had me concerned because my Cap in the avitar has 1275 @ 14.5 lbs. Wouldn't want 1290 at 18 lbs. Good to hear it flies well. Still have a ways to go on it.

Well.... it FOR SURE ain't 1400......