I have narrowed my search down for my first fully aerobatic aircraft.

My choices are:

Great Planes Extra 300s .40
Wingspan: 58 in (1473 mm)
Wing Area: 594 sq in (38.3 dm2)
Weight: 5.5-5.75 lb (2475-2587 g)
Wing Loading: 21.3-22.3 oz/sq ft (64.6-67.5 g/dm2)
Fuselage Length: 48 in (1219 mm)
Requires: 2-stroke .40-.51 cu in (6.5-8.4 cc) or 4-stroke .48-.80 cu in (8-13 cc) engine, 4-channel radio w/5 servos

&

Hobbico Extra 300 .60 ASAP
Wingspan: 63 in (1600 mm)
Wing Area: 667 sq in (43 dm2)
Weight: 7.25-7.75 lb (3290-3515 g)
Requires: 2-stroke .60-.70 (10-11.5cc) or 4-stroke .70-.91 (11.5cc-15cc) engine & 4-5 channel radio w/5 servos


I have done a lot of reading on the two and I am leaning toward the GP .40 but the idea of .60 size is attractive...

I have read about putting a .61 FX in the .40 size, but since this will be my first real aerobatic plane I am concerned that would be too much plane for me....

I was also thinking that I could get the O.S. .61FX later... once I have mastered the airframe and get a better understanding of the forces involved with it...

The size of the airframe isn't all that different....

Can I get some opinions?

Thanks,

I would get the .40 . Read serveral reveiws on it and everyone seemed to like it...

Those are great, but here's an option you might like (I sure did!)

Vector Flight Extras.

http://www.vectorflight.com/

Good Luck!
Dave Olson

Dave,

These look good! Would you mind writing a little review of your experience building this ARF and dealing with the company? I would also like to know what you think of the foam core wings. I'm just curious how they compare to balsa wings...

Thanks,

Strongly consider the extreme flight 65" extra
The biggest problem with 40 or 60 size planes is high wing loading, they dont 3d very well and can be a pita to land. Extreme's 65" is very light and will fly on an economical 76-90 size 2 stroke
www.extremeflightrc.com

I am looking for an Extra as well. I'd like to move up to a 60 sized plane, and the prices on the Vector Flight 66" Extra seem pretty incredible. I can have one of these delivered to my door for about $240.00 Canadian. A Great Planes 60 sized KIT is $259.00 here. An Extreme R/C Extra would be about $360.00 plus shipping from California...say another $50.00.

Can anyone post a mini review on one of the Vector Flight planes? I am interested in learning pattern/IMAC, and although the 66" Extra is not designed with 3D in mind, the web site does say that the ailerons have been extended to enhance torque rolling.

Seems like a good choice. Anyone have any comments?

Looks good! What's the price?

David, the yellow 60 ARF is $229.00. If you want one, Shaun Evans is the person to contact. AKA yellowaircraft on RCU. The guy who posted the pic for you. Hope this helps. John

Boy were coming awfully close to free advertising here arent we
see
http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...767&forumid=59]

Shaun,

Actually the Y/A was one of my first choices, but I was swayed away from it by several post I read on here...

It is a beautiful plane, but in my reading I have found almost all good reviews on the GP and mostly bad reviews on the Y/A... I'm sure you are working to correct any Q&A problems. I just don't want the headaches of having to return items for repair or replacement.

Please don't take this as me slamming your product... Since I have never personally built or flown one that would be impossible...

I would be really interested to know if the Q&A problems have been addressed (If they ever existed)?

Thanks for your reply.

Smallfly,

I deleted my post. Happy? I'm sure RCU is glad to have you on patrol :-)



CCDave,

No slam at all. In fact, I appreciate your feedback. That's the nice thing about RCU, you have access to a range of information and experiences here. I did fly the plane, though I didn't build it myself, and I was quite happy with it. There are others who've had some issues, apparently, and those that talk to me about it directly have their observations passed on to the big boss. As far as ARFS go, I don't think the quality of the GP planes' (any of them) covering, paint or hardware measures up in comparison, so any extra effort involved in building is worth it in my opinion. I haven't seen the other ARF mentioned, so I don't have room to compare it.

No happy is not what I am. I just didnt want to see everyone that markets an extra start chiming in. I personally think the YA line is a good one and I havent really heard of anyone that has had much of a problem with a YA.

DAVE O
It would be appreciated if you post a small thread on your VECTORFLIGHT model! The price is very attractive. As long as the quality is (par) with the rest of the ARF world. Would make those planes a bargain. I wonder if they plan on expanding their line? Something in the 80 inch range would be nice. Let us know what you think!

AJT

Dave thanks for the post on the Vector Flight ARF's. I will be looking toward them for my next plane. The main reason will be they are made in North America. The specs on their planes look good too. Only thing I don't like is the plastic cowl, belly pan and tail fairing. I can live with that though.

Hi,

I've read the responses to your original posting, and generally agree with them. As it's going to be your first aerobatic plane though, I would suggest you choose the GP Extra.

It's only got two really important vices:-

1/ It can snap when you don't want it to, but this goes away completely if you make sure you don't have too large an elevator throw. Stick to the low rates suggested in the kit.

2/ Like any aerobatic plane it lands a bit quicker than a trainer. This is also not a particularly bad habit, as it's fairly easily handled.

Other than those, it's a really good plane; goes where you point it, and is from a great manufacturer.

I know it's not on your list, and at the risk of confusing you, also take a look at the SIG Somethin' Extra. Now THERE'S a great plane to learn aerobatics on! It can fly at walking pace, and has no bad habits (none!). On low rates it flies like a very docile trainer, but can also do everything in the book.

- Just a thought!

-David C.

Got both the Vectorflight Extras and man are they awesome. The foam core wings I believe are actually better than rib and film ones I have flown and fly very stable and precisely. Also the cowl although plastic has held up without a crack or dent after numenrous minor hits. It seems to be made from a really strong plastic, definately not like the cheap ABS. However the belly pan on one cracked after about 8 months of flying and I replaced it with a scrach built. I have got only praise for them and I really dont know how they have them priced so low while making them in North America, anyways i am not going to complain about that! By the way, the fuel tank and wheels supplied were Dubro and the engine mount was from Dave Brown, they are absolutely trouble free.

CCDave, AJT,

A review of building either VF Extra would be short. They're pretty much built, you just hinge things, put the tail feathers on (easy) and install your engine & radio. The plastic cowl & tailfeather brace are both adequate. Nicer looking than the pics.

The building being easy, the flying was what I liked. Very stable, stalls mush ahead sort of, easy to recover - but you won't be flying that slow! And they will do absolutely anything. Well, within my ability. I don't know about some of the 3D stuff.

Pretty durable, too. When I managed to break the 66" one, they helped me with a drawing, so I could make a new ply part. The people answer their Email and are very helpful.

Just my two cents worth!
Dave Olson

Are the tail-feathers on the 66" extra airfoiled?

> and mostly bad reviews on the Y/A

Dave,

Where did you find the reviews on the YA Extra?

-Juhan

David Cutler,

What do those words on your signature mean? What language?

Hi Shaun,

They are made up words from the 50's classic science fiction film The Day The Earth Stood Still, with Michael Rennie. They were given to our heroine to use on the robot so that she could save the world.

- - normal run-of -the-mill stuff really.


-David C.

jsonin,

This is what I was talking about

Bad Reviews


But now that you have prompted me to do a search I have found a ton of good reviews!!! Looks like I was swayed by a couple of hacked off owners...

Shaun,

What is a good source of Y/A planes? Where can I get pricing??

In case anyone that currently owns a 66" Vector Flight Extra 300. I didn't care for the belly pan mounting on the 66" Extra 300 from Vector Flight, but John at VF recommended this modification and it seems to be working very well for me up to this point. It saves time setting up at the air field and the potential of losing those plastic bolts:

"Dear James:

Thank you for your message. Hope things are very
well!

It is a good idea to glue the belly pan to the wing
underside. This should be done with the wing
attached to the fuselage so that the belly pan can
be installed in the correct position relative to the
wing and the fuselage. Carefully score the area of
the wing surface along the joint seam, so that the
glossy finish is removed, and then use a thin layer
of 10 minute epoxy to attach the belly pan to the
wing, making sure any excess epoxy is cleaned
promptly. Drill out two holes in the belly pan
directly above the location of the wing attaching
screws, so that the screws can be accessed from
outside the belly pan.( This step should be done
before epoxying the belly pan). Additional strength
of the joint can be obtained by covering the seams
with an iron on or self adhesive tape. Finally make
sure that the front of the belly pan is tucked in so
that rushing air cannot get under and blow it off
the airplane. Once this is done, you should not
require any additional screws to secure the belly
pan, and wing removal and installation will be a one
step process.

Good luck!!

Best regards,

John
VF

i wouldn't get the GP .40 300
my buddie's went away.lol
the spar snapped 2 rib bay from the center

mine is just sitting . i re inforce the best that i can...
but not holding my breath.

the spar is a single tappered piece of wood.
it has slots for the wing ribs. the slot is more than 1/4 deep.
gaps and improper glue joints don't help.
i'm not even sure what type of glue was used.

after seeing whats left of my friend's plane . i striped the wing .
cutted the sheeting.
added tri and epoxy at all ribs to spar joints.
[:'(] so much for an arf.
it was more work than if i was to build one.
it's defferenently heavier now.

I thought that phrase was "klatu berrada nikto"

TF