Not much help in detail but they show the cosmetic value plretty well.[8D]

Whats the final weight of the plane?


thanks

I haven't gotten that far yet, but they claim it to be 8-9lbs. They also claim the Saito 120S will hover it. I am going for a smooth IMAC type flyer instead of a 3D machine so weight isn't my top priority. Hopefully it won't come out like a lead balloon. Only additions I need to make are some extra beef around the firewall and tail struts for added security. That shouldn't add alot of weight if I do it right.

Thank you

Well, I finally got the engine mounted and the fuel system plumbed. I am using a Hangar 9 fueler that is currently hanging loose (cowl is unmounted as of yet). The wing situation I mentioned earlier is now very much under control. I found the dowel that goes through the trailing end of the wing roots and passes through the fuse between them. This little device is a simple way of clearing up any incidence play you may have. "Solid" is the word that comes to mind here.

I chose to mount the Saito 120 inverted and only had to re-drill 2 of the mount holes to make it work. It isn't dead on 180 degrees straight down, but it is close enough. Also the hole for the throttle pushrod was way off, sealed it and re-drilled it. Next, I checked the thrust angles and added some shims under mount to square it up with a hint of right. Also, a piece of balsa to hold the tank in place would be a nice touch, but I aint complaining! Landing gear are mounted, minus wheels.

Next phase will be the tail assembly. I am dreading this a little due to the need for struts on the tail surfaces. I have never tried to make anything like them so I am hoping I get it right.. I have several ideas and suggestions on hand already (more are always welcome), and I hope to gain more insight from the flyers at the Fun Fly this weekend. I am amazed at how easy and fast this ARF is going together. Vectorflight has really done thier homework on thier products.

I have all three VF models... the 66" Extra, Edge, and Sukhoi.... The Edge is the best flying VF model with a 91 saito... it's not a powerhouse, but it's very smooth, and balance point is perfect... I don't like the belly pans, but after some practice, it's not much of a hassle.... The Sukhoi is out of service, all my fault , not the models fault... It was the Lomcevak king.... that's why it went crash!!! TO LOW, and snap her in... Hard! I still have the other two, with Saito 91's one them.... the Extra looks good in the air, but I think the horizontal stab incedence is off (I rushed the build, so it's likely I botched the alignment).... I fly them as my warmup planes, and practice the IMAC sportsman sequence with them.... As for the VF company, best shipping in the biz, and excellent customer service..

I got a chance to dry fit the tail assembly at lunch today. Looks square. In the process of hunting components to make tail struts and extra stock for the fillets. I have chosen hinge points for all the surfaces, rather than use the supplies CA hinges (at the advice of Minn). Should handle the 120 a bit easier.

I believe you have to use the ca hinges for the ailerons since the top of the wing is smooth...the hinge point has to be almost right on the uppermost point where the aileron and the wing meet. Tailfeathers could be hinged differently, I suppose...

I used hinge point for the aeilerons as well.
I made a jig that would sit on the top of the wing and
guide the angle the drill down into the wing rather than parallel to the chord.
The finished hinge is at about 20 degree when the
surfaces are neutral. Works great.

Primodus,

You have flown Extra and Giles, can you tell me the difference in flying charcteristics. Pros and cons, especially of giles.

IK

I am no expert on either plane, but the Giles is a bit more pitch sensitive than the Extra. Both perform well at IMAC type sport flying.

After reading this thread and checking out their website, I am seriously considering the 66" Extra. Do you guys think that a ST 90 would be enough power? I know there are better motors out there, but I need to get the most motor for my $$$. What other motors would you guys recommend that are in the same size/price range as the ST 90? TIA for the help.

ST90 is probably one of the strongest motor in its class, but somehow I could not get it to run very reliably. Could be just a problem with my particular one. But it should be excellent as far as power is concerned.

Calflyer its not you its your motor, the ST90 are unreliable (at least mine were). I had 2 early this season and they would fly for only 2 minutes then I would have a dead stick. Me and a couble guys tried every thing from low end needle, high end needle, plugs, fuel from 0% to 15% with absolutly no luck. GOt me a ST75 and and have about 30 10 minute flights with no problem...

Bumstead/Primo,

I am giving serious thought about getting Extra & Edge from VF. I want to know how good the supplied CA hinges are or it is preferred to use hinge point on these planes?

Free

So if you had problems with your ST 90. what would be another good motor in it's class/price range? I have a US40 with a ST G51 and have had no problems at all. Thanks

I am picking up hinge points this weekend as a personal preference for the Edge. I think the CA hniges would probably be fine for the smaller Extra or Sukhoi, but IMHO the larger models need more beef in that area.

Ez2, there should be many choices. How about the ST75, if it runs good, it should be fine, although not as awesome as a 90. Not sure if Tower or TT makes engines in the 90 size or close, but if they do, would be worth a look. MVVS ? Maybe a post in the engines forum might yield some other pointers. Good luck!!

My ST90 went dead stick while low ( read <10 feet) and inverted. I got it upright but turned instead of letting it continue into the beans. Ran out of elevator and nosed it intothe dirt. Ripped the gear out, cracked the firewall and the entire front from gear mount to the firewall will need replaced. sad, sad day!!

Ouch CHassan! Sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you can get her back up soon.[8D]

I had the 66 inch extra and had about 250 flights on it when it went in because of a bad RX battery. I used the supplied CA hinges and had no problems with them. I did not use any braces on the tail on my plane either. I flew IMAC style aerobatics with it mostly but got crazy with it a few times. I had a TT 91 4 stroke engine on it and what a sweet flying combo. I had to move the battery about half way back to the tail to balance it but I did not have to add any lead. This was the best flying plane that I ever had and I have had alot of planes. I have finally finished with the projects that I have had stacked up on the work bench and think that I will order the 66 inch edge next and give it a try. I have had several ST engine and all but the G-2300 ran great. I tried everything to get the 2300 to run and even switched the carb to a perry and I still could not get it right. It would dead stick everytime after about 3 minutes of flying no matter how you set the needles. I sold it and the guy that has it loves it. He put it on an ultra stick and it runs great. I think that it was overheating inside the cowl on my GP extra and that was causing it to deadstick. He hasent changed a thing just set the needles. If your ST engine is deadsticking in the air check for overheating. What would be a good engine recommendation for the Edge?

Rick

Another email to VF and a very fast response. My question was simply, "What size spinner for the Edge 540?". The response was a bit of a surprise...

A 2 3/4 inch dia. spinner is required. 2 1/2 can also be used. Aluminum spinners look great, and if you could polish the landing gear with a 600 grit sandpaper, it compliments the spinner very well.

Also please note that if you are using dual rates on the elevator, in case of an engine failure the rates should be switched off immediately so maximum control of the elevators can be achieved. Without the engine running, the elevator efficiency is considerably reduced.

Best regards,

C/S
VF

Not many companies I have dealt with add extra pertinent information like that. This just keeps getting better and better.

Well.. I had to do it. I just went ahead and bought the VF edge 540. At 12:30 am!! Im in a little mix up between OS and Saito. Might go saito and do it right the first time.

Question about the belly pans. Are they that much of a pain as everyone says? Tips - Tricks?

my $0.02 for you:

1. go with the Saito, you wont be sorry, the toque is to die for!! If its the 66" version get at a Saito 100 at minimum. In a perfect world id be flying one with a YS 1.10. .91 will be sufficient but not for my taste.

2. My belly pan on the Extra wasnt a real pain, I trimmed it out to fit and glued the jebus out of it to the wing. Once on it never came loose.


good luck

matt

rcfury,

I am currently in the assembly phase with the Edge 540. I have dropped in a Saito 120 for power and believe it is going to pull the heck out of it. Mount is inverted with a slight angle (see pics). Radioshack/homemade onboard glow driver for easy starts and smooth transitions.

As for the belly pan, it is attached differently than the one on the Extra. Since the wing remains in two pieces, the belly pan cannot be glued on permanently. It is attached with 6 screws (three each side) It looks sturdy and clean, and a extra trim is provided to seal the leading end. However, I am concerned that the seal has to be broken everytime you want to get into the fuse. I am looking into a different way of doing this.

I used hinge points for all control surfaces except the rudder (I didn't get enough at the LHS, 45 miles away). The CA hinges did the trick there and would probably be fine everywhere else if I was using a smaller motor. I will post more here as I go.[8D]