Well after a number of weeks of inactivity, Iam back in business on the Extra build.

Been chipping away at it about an hour or 2 a night for the last couple days. Got the rudder completely done including the counterbalance which was carved from a solid block. Also have the rudder post for the fuse ready to go in, but need to first fiberglass in the tail wheel backing block since Iwill lose access to that area once the rudder post is installed. Iused thicker stock than they called for on the leading edge of the rudder so Icould have a steeper bevel and therefore more throw, Ilike a ton of rudder. Went up from 1/4" to 5/8" on that. It's the first mod I've made, however minimal.

Also picked out an engine. My local shop, sadly, is shutting it's doors, everything was 50% off. Of the four engines he had left, one of them was the ST2300, which was on my short list. Got it for $70 brandnew with muffler. Can't beat that. I'm aware of it's quirks and I've had a ST4500 in the past, along with numerous other ST's .90 and smaller, so I'm confident I can have it running fine. Plus, I mocked it up quickly and it seems to fit entirely in the cowl, including muffler, without requiring any cutouts. Huge plus.

Also picked up a sweet tru-turn spinner for about $10, kevlar pull-pull's, and a bunch of other hardware. Only thing still remaining to buy are the servos and battery. Probably going to do Hitec 5475's on all surfaces, with a 5645 on the rudder and a mini digital on the throttle. I am also considering a smoke system, however Iwant to see how the plane balances first. If Ineed nose weight I'll add a smoke pump, tank and battery so at least the ballast will be functional.

Mocked the plane up with the completed rudder and elevators. Looks nice. Measured the wing at 64" tip to tip, and the length overall is 53" from the nose of the cowl to the tip of the rudder. About 56" including spinner.

I'll post up some more pics when I take them. I think Iam going to get to the tailwheel block and rudder post tonight, and maybe start glassing in formers in the forward part of the fuse.

Also been thinking about covering / finishing. Ithink for the sake of color matching, Imight cover all of the balsa surfaces white with ultrakote, as well as paint the fuselage and cowl white, then paint on the trim on both the fuse and the ultrakote surfaces. I've had good luck with this in the past as long as the ultrakote is scuffed up slightly before painting.