ORIGINAL: Mr67Stang
Thanks for the input. I really do not care for the looks of the Giles series of planes myself. How can you tell if it's a "Fly-Models" or a CMP model? Also is your advice geared towards the CMP line because the performance or quality of the plane or something else? You seem to be the most experienced modler with NP's products so I do apreciate your comments when I am concidering putting my money down. If it comes down to it though I will likely find another source if this Extra 260 is just not worth it. Because I really want a 260 for the mid wing design and general good looks. If you like the fully sheeted models I have a 1/4 scale Hanger 9 Matt Chapman Cap 232-fat heavy pig-with an Evolution 35cc gasoline engine I'll likely be unloading
The planes listed as "Nitroplanes" planes are the fly-models aircraft.
I wouldn't say that there is anything overtly wrong with them, though may be better than others.
However I like the way the CMP ARFs are put together and some of the included hardware can be quite good.
e.g. the Giles comes with Carbon fiber pushrods, CF landing gear, Aluminum Bell Crank for the Pull-Pull rudder, pin hinges which are pre-cut and drilled. etc.
The CMP Extra looks fantastic and a club member had one... unfortunately this plane was lost during a maiden. It is a very heavy plane though.
The plane was not correctly set up and he ended snapping a wing off during an uncontrolled full power dive while attempting to trim it out... ugh.
I don't have direct experience with the one you are looking at but I do have the Goodrich Extra 300.
I just started building it, and my first thought was that I would be replacing some hardware, clear coating the covering after getting rid of some wrinkles and re-inforcing where ever possible.
I don't think that what you are looking at is "bad" though, I just don't have that model.... it does look better than my Goodrich though.
It's quite possible that the gear and the pushrods are CF given the picture.
It looks like a nice light plane.