Anyone got any scoop on these? Any flying out there?
<edited to correct scale number.... oops.... >

They are a good flyer and reasonably light weight. A buddy of mine has one and it flies really well.

Well, have to assume no one else that reads RCU has done one of these - search came up empty... so I ordered mine, and it's arriving next Friday.

I'll be doing it with a Brillelli 60, JR digitals, and will post the build here.... in size, wing area, and target weight, it seems real close to the TOC and BME 30% Yak, and mine is a sweetheart of an airplane combo.

If anyone knows of a build thread, or other info on this bird, let's hear it!

(Pic attached is Garrett Morrison, borrowed from Aviation Models website until I post MINE!!!)

Hi AeroBob, I didn't thing they were available yet as their website said TBA. I even emailed them as to an eta, cost, etc twice and never got a response. If you don't mind, can you tell me what it cost. Thanks in advance,


Steve S.

I ordered mine through Chief Aviation - $639.95, free shipping, and added in a couple of Xoar 23 x 8's (they just got in a new shipment! [sm=thumbup.gif] )

SOMETHING was shipped, as the lady I talked with yesterday said "I'll get it out today", then last evening got UPS Shipment Tracking links.... so.... "something" is coming. We'll see what shows up on the 22nd, I guess!

Did you happen to look in the airplane reviews section of RCU? Might want to look at Build and set up tips as well.

Yah... nuthin' there, but thanks.

Bob,

I am hoping you will do a build review. I have been looking at this exact model for the past month or so and am very interested in getting one. It would be my first 30% and I will need lots of advice/info on servos volt reg (if needed ) etc. Also curious on how Chief is to work with. Take lots of pictures please!

http://www.rcuniverse.com/product_gu...fm?kit_id=4523

I found that one. Is there a review in there i am missing?

No review that I could find. An individual users' ratings and comment. I have NO idea what will arrive in it's box Friday, but I will be doing pics, and a writeup on my website to boot. Mine will be the third 30% bird I've done, so I'm hopeful that trashed-out illiterate instructions won't be too awful for me to overcome.

I will do PLENTY of pics and share the how-to's that I know about, such as they are.
I just like doing these.... and love 30% size birds.

Chief Aviation has ALWAYS been first rate, and I've been dealing with them for several years, many purchases.

Thanks for doing the build..Ive been looking for a nice 50cc Extra and I love the scheme on this one!

I have one new in box, to be built this winter... anybody built one? Seems maybe nobody wants this plane for some reason... and....the 260 is supposed to be a hot plane right now..

COnfirmed mine is on a truck and will be here Friday..... so then the fun begins....

The title must be wrong... It is a 30%...

Corrected, and thank you for noticing. Wouldn't want to have to lop off 4" off each wing just because.....

Hahah. Nope... the plane is just gorgeous..... You will like the finish of the cowl and wheel pants. They have mass production of the painting down. And it matches better than most body shops match paint!

GOT IT! Beautiful work, feels pretty light. Seems straight, too. Covering needs the normal "reshrink", "tack down", but it's good stuff. Cool things - firewall gets installed based on your motor, but engine box top is already angled so the right thrust can be built in. Hardware seems real complete, and pretty good looking stuff. Canopy is clear (or very CLOSE to clear) so a instrument panel and pilot can be done. Colors are real good. Cowling mounts to the fuse from a plywood ring mounted to the cowl, and screws go in from the front edge. Includes a reallly nice spinner, and what looks to be GOOD WHEELS!!!

The BAD - ain't no freakin' instructions. Zip. Nada. Nuthin. I wonder what I do about THAT ????????? NOTHING on their website, either....

Will do some pics and weigh parts tomorrow.

BTW - stab servos mount INTERNAL, through the root rib, and install on the 3rd rib outboard with arm sticking below stab. This should make geometry easier to setup. Will post as that goes.

Overall - they've done some stuff better than their 30% Yak which I had ONE year ago! Great to see manufacturers sharpening up.

Yes... indeed. I wont complain, but Aviation Models is going through a huge change and these planes are nearly $200 cheaper than what you and I paid... Thats the way the world works though. As for the directions, you can nearly follow the directions for the Yak... Go to :
www.troybuiltmodels.com and they have them in adobe...

http://troybuiltmodels.com/AMex260-30manual.pdf

Thanks for the pointer to the manual. It helps....

Today, got the elevators hinged, control horns installed, JR 8411's mounted with Airwild MLP 1.25" arms.... Very tricky installation of servos into the pre-cut rib cutout, with arm sticking out of bottom of stab, but it means geometry will be good. Hoping 8411's will do it; 8611's would not fit. Will do some pics tomorrow.

As to quality - hinge slots and supplied hinges are VERY nice; fitup perfectly, with a little cleanup of the knuckle area, they were ready for Gorilla glue, which ALSO worked just dandy.

The firewall comes UN-installed, so that the builder can get the standoff/engine spacing he needs; nice touch.
The fuse is also COMPLETELY 'canister-ready', although I won't be using them, I'd bet it will be a GREAT place for a smoke tank!!

More tomorrow - this is going really well so far!!

I have their Yak and the cannister tunnel extends back past the wingtube. If you mount a 20 or even 24 oz fuel tank in the cannister tunnel you can get it right on the center of gravity. Thats what I would do! I have my smoke tank up on top the of cannister tunnel just infront of the wing tube.

I also cut the square out of the bottom of the fuse where the tank mounts and added clear ultrakote so I can check my fuel level while hovering. You can cut a small hoole in the back of the cannister tunnel with a dremel to check fuel level or you can just pump untill you see gas running out of the vent like. Thats what I did and even with the DA 50 all the way up front it still took about 5-10 flips to get it to pop with the choke on. Plumbing was simple!

I would put the tank in the cannister tunnel!

a 24 ounce tank came with the yak so I just used that. Its stupid to think that when you add a bigger tank you are adding more weight. In truth, you are only adding grams because you dont have to fill the talk up all the way. I can fly for a good 18 minutes this way and still have a bunch left over. It is also super easy to hover down in front of myself and check fuel level, I love that

I am going to try and get a chrome blue DA Vinyl and some vinyl blue Fromeco graphix to go with the blue paint I put on the Cowl.

I'd like to get an update on the 260 if possible. Do you have the final weight.?

Do you have any pics?