Okay folks. I want to start a new thread which is about the success experiences with the DP Extra. So far I'm actually shaking after reading about all of the aileron problems. I'm configuing mine with a Moki 1.8 turning a Moki 20x8 prop with single high torque metal gear servos and a 6v NiCd.

So, for you folks that have had success please tell us how you have configured the bird and how does it fly.

Please positive stories only...

Thanks in advance.

Mike

I bought one of these set up with a Brison 3.2 and hitec 5945 servos. I have only been able to fly the plane 3 times due to a crazy radio glitch problem, but I can tell I am really going to like this plane after I get the radio straightend out. The cg is pretty aft at 6 1/4 back but it seems to be pretty radical with the elevator inputs. Great plane so far and very pretty!!

I have a Extra 330l. I started out with a BME 50 and could not keep the canopy from cracking for the life of me. I also felt the airplane was heavy. I have sealed the hinge gaps and used ball links and aluminum servo arms all surfaces. I have since changed the engine to a OS BGX-1 and the canopy now stays put and intact. What a nice combination i was able to shed a pound of weight and it is as smooth as silk. I am running a 20x8 zinger with excellent vertical and a very light feel that I did not have with the gas combo. You should have the same results with the moki. I have since changed the gear to the troybuilt cf gear which seems to be stiffer. Have fun!!

I am flying the DP 330L with a OS 160FX. It flys great but could use a little more power. I will be changing to a Moki 1.8 with a 20x8 and then it will be perfect. Have fun it is a very good flying plane.

Flew my DP 330L yesterday. ZDZ 40, Mej 20x10, 8411's in the wings, 8231's in the elevators, 8411 on the rudder pull pull, carbon fiber spinner from pierre in canada, carbon fiber landing gear from troybuilt. 341's and 321's on the throttle and choke, 6900 rpm, 90+F and 50+% humidity.

first flight flaweless, i click of rt aile.
second flight hit the choke switch (i'll be moving that to an unaccessable part of the transmitter!!) and a dead stick into the weeds (thanks brian!!) no damage.

3rd flight beautiful, lands like a dream, brian says he really likes this combo, he's going to buy a zdz.

might need a little right thrust

added too much nose weight, will have to pull out some, still 5/34 or better.

titanium pro links for all pushrods, h9 cnc aluminum arms, sullivan steel control horns, rocket city links, dubro (mistake) clevises.

no flutter,

this plane is awesome, it rocks!!

joeEagle

Nice to hear some good reports....I knew they where out there!

Keep them coming. I like to hear about the equipment and setup.

Thanks for the info.

Mike

I probably have three dozen or more flights on my Patrick Extra . Power is a BME 44.

• BME 44 gas engine, C&H Ignition
• 20x10 Mezjlik prop
• Futaba PCM 1024 receiver
• Futaba 9303 servos on rudder and each aileron
• Futaba 9304 servos on each elevator half
• Troy Built Carbon Fiber Gear, was TnT 3/16" thick T6 aluminum gear that replaced stock.
• 24 oz tank in stock location
• ridiculously oversize NiCad batteries for flight and ignition. I may downsize to reduce weight. Flight batt'y is five cell.

I really like the plane and its flying characteristics. With the 44 I have plenty of power and the engine still keeps getting stronger. I can live with the wing attachment system on the plane, it's strong. But what REALLY BLOWS is the hatchless canopy . I know DP was saving weight when he put this together, but the floppy canopy system is inadequate. I have seen the canopy/hatch modifications and I WILL do that to mine after the flying season. I am wearing holes in my canopy right now.

-Cheech

Not to kill a mood, but mine shed both ailerons between 30 and 40 mph and I landed it inverted, with rudder and elevator, with no damage! I found out that it will fly with rudder and elevator. Now that's a happy story!! I'm doubling up the aileron servos and it should be OK. This arf flies like a dream and lands like a trainer.

JW

Hey, what size servos on the "aileron quick disconnect" bird? hardware? im curious

and cheech..i DID finally fly the plane, see, it only took me 9 months to finish the machine!!

joeEagle, from shoe factory

You flew it? WOW! A few days ago yours had not been flown yet. Must have flown it this weekend? Flies nice, eh?

Brian J. flew it on wednesday. 3 flights...all great including the deadstick where i engaged the choke at about 100 feet downwind, then just screamed and handed the box to brian..like a total wuss.

he liked the zdz setup, and also like the super quiet muffler that i bought from germany. he said he is going to keep his extra and put the zdz on it. it flys "big" as he says. motor a little rich but it has less than 1 gallon thru it.

no damage when it went into the weeds

took off, flew again. no problems

i also have the wings secured with a 4-40 screw into the wing at the end of the wing tube thru a dowel keyed into the rib and on top of the wing tube, then i put a "donut" which was a 1.125 dowel drilled out so it looks like a donut, then glued this inside the wing tube so that the 4-40 screw would have something to bite into after it went thru the dowel, the phenolic wing tube, the metal wing tube and then the inner dowel hollowed out like a donut.

i am going to relocate the position of my choke switch on my transmitter, it was the tallest switch so i hit it by accident but im sure it could happen again!!!

we'll have to have a fly off.

cheers

joe

For those of you whom have successfully flown the DP Extra without flutter, can you tell me if your ailerons have diagonal bracing??

Thanks in advance.

Mike

Hmm..... no diagonal ribs in the ailerons on mine. You're saying some have them and some do not? Weird. I have seven gallons or more of gasoline through mine. That is probably 40-50 flights I suppose. I have experienced no flutter. I used klett plastic hinges when building this one. Mine is an ARC.

-Cheech

http://www.devino.org/mark/airplanepics/dp330l.htm

Cheech,

That's what some folks have posted previously.

I'll need to look up that old thread.

Thanks for the reply it will help my confidence this week when I have my maiden voyage.

Mike

Cheech,

Here's the thread that mentions two aileron versions. I've also got a message out to Dave Patrick about the topic. Hate to lose my bird to something silly like that.

http://rcuniverse.com/showthread.php...344&forumid=57

Mike

Well my knees were knockin and I think I could have used an extra pair of shorts but my DP extra had its first flight today with absolutly NO flutter what so ever. I have one that shipped with very soft ailerons. I put in extra cross bracing, an extra servo, and extra hinges. It was rock solid. Now I know why people love bigger planes...what a joy to fly. Here are my specs for reference.

ZDZ 40 with Menz 22x8
JR 4721's all around on 6V system
Stock gear (will be replacing them...too weak)
pull pull rudder
stock horns
4-40 rods with brass tubes soldered over them for all links
4-40 ball links all around
balanced with no lead in nose

Can't wait till next weekend!

Hey, how did you balance the dp with the zdz without nose weight??? i have it at 5-7/8" with about 7oz of lead mounted to the bottom of the motor box. mej 20/10 prop. and a CF spinner (hmmm maybe that's part of it?). also cf landing gear from troybuilt, they look awesome.


i have 3 flights with no aileron problems, robart hingepoints, 1 8411 servo in the wing, titanium pro links and ball links, h9 cnc alum arms.

cheers

joe

Not sure exactly. I have a Tru Turn spinner (solid backplate) with the ignition and battery as far forward as they will go. I also beefed up the engine box a bit (knew I would need some weight so why not) and I have the stock gear (they suck).

Oh ya....my 6V reciever battery is a 1500 from JR. It probably makes quite a difference too.

Its funny, ya know, when you buy stuff to try and be light and then need to add lead to make things work out!!

i have a beautiful CF spinner from Pierre

http://www.geocities.com/pierrejac/ that is 2oz, then a NiMH 1600 mah battery that is light, and those CF landing gear from troybuilt that weight 6 oz less than stock, all for what?!! to add lead to the nose..course when i get more comfortable with the a/c then i can remove and move back the cg to about 6.25 or 6.375. oh, i have a light ZDZ 40 motor in it as well...

how much does yours weigh?? i havent weighted my yet.

cheers

joe

I know what you mean....I don't know how in the world you could balance this plane with a glow engine in it. How do you like the CF gear? I heard people saying that they cracked easy. I think you will end up moving your CG back a bit. I balaced mine at 5 3/4 and it was way too conservative for my taste. The extra wanted to come in a bit hot and would not hold a good knife edge either. Other than that.....I love it.

Congrats on your flights, Terry. JoeEagle actually got me my carbon fiber gear , and I gotta tell you I love them . I've had a a few less than perfect flights where a fast landing was in order. I have SLAMMED the plane down onto the gear and have really been impressed with them. My patrick doesn't bounce and the landing gear are STRONG.

I never flew stock gear, they snapped like a cracker on my maiden flight last Winter. However, these carbon fiber gear from Troy Built are a full six ounces lighter than the TnT gear that I bought to replace stock. The last thing I could do to reduce weight is downsize my ridiculously oversize flight and ignition batteries.

-Cheech

http://www.devino.org/mark/airplanepics/dp330l.htm

Thanks Cheech,

Good to know....my stock extra gear is like a pair of springs. If you don't COMPLETELY grease the landing they make it bounce. I just wanted to make sure they were going to be strong for the price.

T