Tonight I crashed my Sig 4 Star with a cartwheel on the runway, so I have been looking for a more aerobatic plane to move all my stuff from the 4 star into a new plane. I came upon the Phoenix Models Extra 300s 46 size and was wondering if anyone here has had it or had any experience with it at all.

I want to start getting into some IMAC type stuff and am looking at getting a 50cc gasser within a couple of months, and I figured that this could be the thing to kind of break through to the world of giant scale aerobats.

The equipment I have is a Saito 62 and Futaba s3004 servos on a DX7 transmitter. I think that this stuff will be adequate for the plane as it calls for a 53 4 stroke engine and standard servos. The plane is also listed at a mere 3.5 pounds, which is a good 2 pounds lighter than my 4 Star was. I am thinking that the engine should have power to have completly unlimited vertical, which is something I am looking for.

Is all this stuff a good match for this plane and is this plane worth my hard-earned money are the two major questions I would like some insight on. Thank you very much!

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGPL7&P=0

Here is a link to the plane.

When they stated it weighs only 3 1/2 lbs they must have forgot to add the engine and radio gear. It's more like 5 - 5 1/2 lbs. when finished. I'm using a 55ax with a pitts muffler. I replaced the flimsy motor mount and fuel tank. I used the stock linkage and seems to work ok. I have about 50 flights on mine within the last 2 weeks and I'm still trying to figure out if I like it or not. They say if you don't beef up the landing gear area it breaks easily. I left mine alone (with the hot glue) they used at the factory and seems to work ok. If you don't grease it in, it has a tendency to bounce on landing. Tracks very nice and rolls like it's on an axle.

It's a nice looking plane and well worth the money. Get to slow and it has a tendency to tip stall on you.

My personal overall opinion, It's like flying a "little brick"!

Here's what others had to say about it..... http://www.rcuniverse.com/product_gu...fm?kit_id=2695

Good luck on your decision.

Well the weight is good to know, I thought it seemed extremely light for its size. All the reviews of it are pretty good, I think I am going to pull the trigger on this one and order it tonight. Thank you!

Completely agree on that one - I got mine low and slow and re-kitted it big time. This does not handle like your 4-star. Probably a good taste for you before dropping big money on a 50cc gasser.

-MA

Here is a video of an extra 300s flying with a saito .65 on it. Looks about the same size as the phoenix extra 300s. You won't regret buying the phoenix 300s at that price.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTOOp03UNk8

Now I am also considering the Great Planes 300SP Performance Series plane. It has larger control surfaces and looks like it is more of a scaled down gasser rather than a sport flyer that the Phoenix Models one looks like. However, it is almost double the money. I will have to look into both a little more before commiting to one or the other. Thanks for your replies though, I appreciate it.

The phoenix models plane is an excellently built plane and flies really well. The great planes extra 300sp is made for doing 3D, that's why the control surfaces are so much bigger. I would recommend the phoenix plane since you're just coming from a 4*. I run JR st47's 55ax w/pitts muffler, Futaba 7C, and I made it a little tail heavy to get it to snap roll and flat spin better.

i have a pheonix yak and it will snap on you if you aarnt careful. if you are trying imac that 62 isnt going to be enough power. if you just want a plane to throw around, go vertical every once in a while it will be fine. however imac is a whole different league, i have a gms.47 on a gp rapture which by all means is overpowering it (slow but unlimited vertical). i tried flying imac and quickly realized i dont have as much power as i thought. you really have to learn to keep your speed up and not rely on the engine, which is easier said than done.