Anybody fly this ARF? How is the quality or the airframe and hardware package? Does it build light or heavy? Flying qualities?

Thanks.

I don't have mine in the air yet. I'm still thinking about what engine to use. I don't think this would be a good airframe for gas. I'll probably use a 1.6 or so glow. It seems fairly light so far. the construction is decent with good tight covering (ultracote). The hardware (except for the hinges and maybe the wheels) is junk. I tried to use the axles and they broke off when I tightened them up! Oh well, I didn't use any of the hardware in my last ARF. I'm starting to get anxious to fly this one after my buddy let me steer his Hanger 9 Edge around for awhile. But I do like the two piece wing better than the one piece on the Edge.

I have had two Lanier 540 edges, and am waiting for the third. They are excellent flying planes, however, a few words of caution. I tried to use a single servo in the fuselage on my first one, w/a ST3250 engine, (approx. 1.98 CI), the linkage coming out of the tail, to the elevators failed, because of the weak linkage, and crashed, (very spectacular, w/no survivors), So on the next one I installed 2 servos in the tail, w/4-40 linkage. For some unknown reason, the tail servos failed, resulting in another crash, except this time I had time to reduce throttle, and The damage was confined to the fuselage only. I had a ST3000 in this plane, and it flew great, but, I needed a lot of weight in the nose, on both planes, to balance them. It's true the hardware is not the best, but I didn't have any trouble w/the axles. I have built and flown many ARFS, and I think this one of the best.

Bill

Bill, sorry to hear your mishaps. You must really like the Edge to be buying 3 in a row.

Texasbird, how much clearance is there between the wing tube and the bottom of the fuselage? I've been looking for a plane for my TT Pro120RP, and I would need to fashion a tune pipe tunnel down the belly.

I too don't think gas engine would be a good idea, and this goes for most 1.20 class aerobats. I know a lot of folks are happy flying them with 2.4 or even bigger gassers, but this size category just grazes at the hairy edge of gasser territory.

Anyway, I'm trying to decide between the Lanier Extra 300L and the CreekHobbies Extra 330. It a tough call, but so far I like the Lanier better because of the larger wing area and Ultracote covering.

Volfy, you must be psychotic (that's what my grandson said when I busted him getting ready to make a serious error in judgement! Of course, he meant psychic...<G>)

I'm looking ahead to when the time comes to replace my H9 CAP. The H9 Edge has a 78" wing which simply will not fit in the back of my S-10 and still leave room for the fuselage.

I have heard mainly good things about this model; but old memories die hard. The thought of that horrible Lanier 25-size POS, with it's plastic fuse, cardboard-covered wings, etc., that I tried to make work as a yearling in the hobby, still makes me shudder...

Steve

Steve, ahhh... great minds think alike. Actually, I'm thinking about a replacement for my H9 1/4 CAP before I'm done assembling it. Yes, I just got around to putting it together after a whole year.

I have a compact pickup too (Frontier Xcab), so anything longer than 73" is out of the question. The Lanier Extra sounds like its a little tamer than a lot of the other 1/4 aerobats. BTW, it's on sale at Quantum Models for $249.99 right now. Check it out.

I too am leary of Lanier old product lines - bad wood and plastic parts. The new 21st Century ARFs seem to be vey well received though. If the Extra 300L is as well built as the popular Edge 540, then it'll be a good buy. The only thing about it is that it doesn't have the extra large control surfaces for 3D, but that's fine with me since I don't do 3D, yet.

Actually, I was interested in the Edge. I just realized this thread was about the Extra. Duh...

Anyway, you're going to love that CAP. Lose the supplied rudder cables and use Dubro. Make sure you put the spacer between the wing roots when joining the wing. Get a new tail wheel assembly (the big Klett works great; if you can find one).

Give your tank/plumbing system some thought if you don't plan on using the supplied tank. It looked a bit cheesy to me, so it's now on my engine test stand...<G>

Oh yeah; the wheel pant mounting system bites big time and needs beefing up. You'll see what I mean when you get to it.

And if your conscious allows you to use that 2x4 they give you for an elevator pushrod, you're a better man than me. The good news is that pushrod is the same dimensions as the hardwood inside elevator frame piece; so it's a small matter to cut yourself an extension to glue in the area they want you to attach the elevator horns.

You've probably spotted all of this by now, and some things I missed. But while this is an overall great effort of an ARF, there are a few areas that could be improved upon.

I still can't believe they tell you to offset the elevator pushrod/servo...

Steve