Here's my PROs and CONs for this model:

Dave Patrick's Extra 330 with Moki 2.10
(flew over 40 flights; sold to Chris at our field)

PROs:
Decent sport plane.
Decent torque roller if you rock the CG way back.
Excellent parts fit.
Quick and easy assembly.

Engine Selection:
The engine choice was underpowered for 3D. A 50cc gasser would probably be better. UPDATE #1: Flew Chris's DP 330 with the Taurus 3.2... nice motor. It ran real smooth on the first flight. UPDATE #2: The Taurus is breaking in now and has very respectable vertical pull. A few flame-outs and some rough running at times... but it's starting to get better. If the weight is comparable... I think the DA-50 will be the ticket come spring time for planes this size, though. :-)

CONs:

Inaccurately advertised for most of 2001 as an 11-12 lb, 1.20 glow engine, 3D plane. The all up weight is going to average 14.5 lbs with a YS-1.20 (and will have very disappointing performance) or average 16 lbs with an appropriate gasser. UPDATE #1: DPM changed the website to read 12-13.5 lbs (still inaccurately advertised, however). UPDATE #2: DPM changed the weight again to 13-14.5 lbs (close, but no cigar).

A hard to arrive at recommended CG that is incorrect anyway... to add insult to injury DPM offers a totally unacceptable workaround to arrive at this undesirable CG location. Do not run six cables and six controls horns on the back of your plane. Bring the CG in between 6-7" instead.

There is something in the design that just keeps it from flying right when flying 3D. Maybe the main wing not being scale, maybe the horizontal stab not being scale. I don't know, but something.

Poor quality hardware (especially the pushrods) that will fail if used.

Basically just too heavy.

Right now I just have the H9 33% CAP, the Kangke 1.20 size CAP, and the H9 Taylorcraft. But, my plan is to pick up two 40%ers this week. :-)

I wrote you on the DownOnTheDeck discussion forum. :-)

It is now called 3D TALK.

The "Cons" on the Patrick listed above are age old. Yep, DP under-advertised the all up weight of the plane. All the AFR mfgrs do. Same with engine size range. They all underestimate

Look at the specs and you'll know it's not a 120 size plane. It has a 78" wing and over 1200 square inches of wing area. It is NOT a 120 size plane. I fly mine on the BME 44 engine. Even with a 3lb gasser in the front, I STILL carry 4 oz of ballast in the nose. All up weight is 15.5 lbs using carbon fiber landing gear. The plane flies GREAT.

I have my setup, some info and some pics at http://www.devino.org/mark/airplanepics/dp330l.htm

Mine is an ARC that I covered and rigged. I only used the Patrick wheels and some of the control horn hardware.

-Cheech

Oh, it's a decent sport plane... as far as that goes. Just that no one is going to win Basic with the thing. And, forget about Freestyle. Show me some video of some harrier rolling circles and I'll believe yours is better than the ones I've owned/flown.

In the final analysis... there are alot of 1/4 scale planes that fly much better... and they cost less. When you put 40-50 flights on it you'll come around.

Joe,

I just picked up a used DP Extra 330L ... do you know the where the 6-7" CG is measured from.....??? Is it from the leading edge of the wing measured at the fuse...???

Thanks

Larry
[email protected]

can someone post please what ultra coat is used to cover the plane, i need to do some patching, thank.

KGood luck...I never did get the right covering...colors never matched.

The yellow covering material is Ultracote Peal Yellow.
There is a dark pearl yellow, and bright pearl yellow; I think
it is the bright pearl yellow.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HANU842