Hi guys, i have just had my first flight on my GP Extra, powered by an Irvine .53. I was wondering if it is worth adding braces to the tailplane as im sure i have seen something about problems with them. Also it likes tipping up on its nose with the application of power, even with up elevator. Is it worth moving the UC forward a little? I dont have the wheelpants on, fly off grass.

You can add braces to the tailplane which will help. I have had a few horizontal stabalizers break in flight on 40 size planes. I used thin nylon cord all the way around on a Thunder Tigre profile Extra that had a problem. It cured the flex and made the plane fly smoother. Before moving the UC (UC= under carriage >> landing gear for the states) forward check the center of gravity. It may be too far forward. Roll the plane inverted and if it takes an excessive amount of down then the CG is too far forward and needs to be moved back.

EXCAP232

The cg is on the recommended 4" as in the instructions. I believe it can go back a bit as i needed quite a lot of up trim which also made it need a lot of down while inverted. I think i will move it back 1/4" once the cowl is on so i can move the battery around. Thanks for the help

I have one, great flying plane. It is worth moving the CoG back.

Have you checked that the wheels are free moving, I have not had any nose over problems with mine (other than when going of the end of the strip [&:])

Do you have the kit version, or the new ARTF?

I have the artf version, had one flight on saturday which you know was a cold and windy day, im too impaitent. The wheels are completely free, no spats, i probably have to fly it off the deck rather than the 3-6 feet takeoff i am used to with a couple of my electric models. What do you have powering yours? Mine is running an Irvine .53, having a few probs starting it though.

Sullivan products makes a real nice "flying wire" kit. I built 2 of these planes...See my avatar,,,,..I lost number one due to the rear horizontal stab flutter. I powered mine with a .91 s 4-stroke(Ya think that had something to do with it??). Extra #2(identical to #1) is still going strong after over 2yrs. I've flown the heck out of it....and yes #2 does have the wires(wasn't flying without them. It was easy to build in hard points during construction, and would even be easy to dp a real clean install after building if you just cut some covering away for the hard points. With the .91 though it's absolutely unlimited.
I've not had any nose overs though, not even close with either one. CG is where manufacturer recomends....battery ended up tucked under rear wing mounting area, with reciever in the small bay just in front of the cockpit if memory serves me.
I started with this plane as a tool for moving to larger planes, and it's worked wonders, as Ive had just about every sixe all the way up to 27%scale so far. The GreatPlanes is tried and true though, and en excellent addition to any hanger. Have fun, and good luck.

PS... I have the older version Midewest 27%Extra with flat tail-group....wires are ESSENTIAL on that particular plane, so I definately recomend them on your smaller Extra.....

I added braces made of streamlined aluminum tube on the top side only. I also moved the C.G. back quite a bit.

I started with a Saito 72, but now it has a Saito 100 as it needed more vertical .

This is a flying plane not a fun fly. I use at least 30 feet to get off the ground.