I noticed the seam outside as well. I think it was one of the shots of of the nose area. I also had the same issue. I'd like to buy it but if there's a seam that's visible in a photo, I don't think I'd want to spend that much.

All painted in the mold, composite aircraft have a seam where the two fuselage halves are
glued together. I was like you and thought it would bother me on my OTOP but the rest of the
airplane is so nice I don't even notice it anymore. If it's an issue you can get a white one and
sand the seam out and paint it yourself but it would be very difficult to get a paint job as nice
as the factory one.

tommy s

As far as I'm concerned the paint job is second to the way it flys. If it flys half as good as
the one I saw Bryan Hebert fly I will be HAPPY ! I have seen an Edge 540 made by the
same company and the finish on it looked great. I expect the Shinden will be the same.

It's fairly simple, if the thin white line down the center of a painted in the mold model is your primary concern; you probably shouldn't buy a Shinden (or any other top model right now.) To be honest, the manufacturer hasn't shipped all that many and if you're wrestling with the concept of a seam, you've missed your chance to have one this season anyway. David with BVM can surely confirm that he has enough of these spoken for to account for every one he has ordered, with some left over. They may have some available for the as-yet-undecided by May or June. NATS are in July, doesn't leave a lot of time to get comfortable with a new plane and expect to be competitive.

Me, I'm more worried about the thin white line down the center of the box that my exhaust leaves while doing a slow roll. With this airplane, I won't worry as much.

[sm=wink_smile.gif]

My Astral XX, also manufactured by X-treme has the center seam as well. However, it never affects the performance of the plane, and will not deter me from buying another one. However, X-treme did manufactured another version of the XX with no visible seams named the Aurea for Japanese market only.

If you want one with no seams, you can get the all white version, sand the seams down and paint it yourself.

Adrian

I hadn't thought of getting the white one. You're all right of course, it's not that important. Didn't mean to make it seem so.

I don't think I'd give 2 flips about that seam.

I just thought it was pretty in pictures, this thing is beautiful! But I would expect no less from Bryan. I would have loved to see one fly through FAI, because it has enough "different" about the design I would really like to see what it does. As usual, Bryan's therory is sound and it has my curiousity peaked.

But if looks could win, this thing would be grabbing all the trophies!

Also the one I saw was electric, and I'd love to see one with a DZ160. Looks like they did it right and weight will be nice!

-M

I saw Bryan flying the prototype at the Cajun Nationals with a DZ 1.60 in it and it
does everthing a pilot would want a pattern airplane to do and it does it very well.
You have to consider Bryan's flying skills also but the airplane looks very, very good
in the air, smooth and graceful, very pretty lines.

tommy s

Matt
the paint job is very good you dont feel any lines
the finish is glossy
The Genisis has a nice paint job also but it has quite a few fights on it
but don`t wory you can fly this one too LOL.
the wings are 15 onces apiece the fuse with every thing attached..chin stabs canopy ECT. is 3pounds 7ounces
this is a early production model and there will be minor Tweeks in future releases to make it better ,,you know how picky I am,,But
it will only get better
Extreme Composits have done a very nice job kitting this airplane I think it is a great value
I know it is a great flying airplane
BTW
the seam on the fuse is so Minute,, it is by for the smallest seam line on any composite airplane I have seen so for don`t let it bother you
for those of you who own a Extreme Composites Airplane you know what I`m talking about
I`m very satisfied.


If Mike Hester is Satisfied <He is as picky as me> <G>You will be too!!
I only wish I had a YS1.7 thats what its designed for
Bryan

Yep, this plane is impressive to my picky eyeballs [8D] Ya done good Bryan, even if you did "sell out to the man" LOL (Making a composite plane overseas....what's this world coming to???? j/k)

Yep I'm hoping to get my hands on a 170 too, hopefully before the Nats. But in truth, the 160 has plenty of punch. I have maybe hit full throttle 3 times in over 30 gallons of fuel! And twice it was an accident....

However, supposedly the 170 is smoother too. And we know how that nats climate can make an engine strain.....

But, not to derail the thread, I hope some of them are coming down here so I can get a chance to check one out doing some high end stuff. I already recommended this plane to a few people around here; no idea if they made the move or not. I hope so, that way I get to really check it out closely! Hehe.

Those weights look managable. Are the wings full composite, or over foam cores? Sorry I didn't get to check that close. I got a really good look at and inside the fuselage. It's top notch for sure. I wish you guys the best of luck with this plane, nothing like a new toy for a new season!!!

Man if you're coming to the Nats, I'm going to have to pull a rabbit out of my rear to try and win the Concourse prize again!!! I hope you can make it this year, you were sorely missed last time around.

-Mike

Sounds good, Bryan. I'm gonna have to start saving my allowance to try and get one for the 08 season. As it stands right now I'll be lucky if I get the rest of the parts for my engine in time for the 07 season. Still waiting on a needle valve and gasket set for that 140DZ, and Central doesn't know when they'll be in... If I don't have em by February I'm gonna have to try another place to get the parts...

Mike you won`t have a problem holding your own there I m sure,
ALthough, Raiko Potter is cooking something up for us this year He`s gonna be hard to beat
his artistic mind has been resting for quite some time I know he`s gonna turn a mind bender out


I really missed competing last year But, the time I took to build the plug for the"man" took me out of the game then,
crashing did not help
it`s been 15 months in the making I`m glad it`s done.
I look forward to competing again this year hope to make it your way and do some flying
Maybe I can twist your arm into building me another wooden Shinden <g>
I`ve been trying to pull Harold out of retirement I think I almost got him.
thanks for the thumbs up!
Bryan

That's great news about Raiko and Harold!!! Keep prodding, we need them back!!!

Let me tell ya, our dying art isn't dying...it just got really quiet for a while. I'm tickled to be one of the ones who contributed to the wake up call. There will be more home built planes at contests this year than there have been for as many years back as I can remember.

And now it seems we have a few fresh new bad to the bone composite planes as well, for a reasonable price tag, so what could be better? I'm just really glad to see American designers getting in there and making things happen again. I think we just got tired for a while.

I know what you mean about working on a new baby and time...I haven't flown since Tangerine and won't be doing much until May. I'll be at the contests, but as far as my personal flying goes, it's just for fun until about June. I saw it coming though, luckily I had guys like you and Harold to watch and learn from. What I thought would be a sideline recreation turned into a full time job FAST.

You know I'd be more than happy to build you another wood Shinden! My time schedule is locked down for a while, but if you really wanna do it, I'm game. Framed up in the bones ready to glass? NP. Can't really touch it for a while, but I'll be happy to do it for you. I can also garauntee it'll be as straight and possibly a bit lighter than the one you have now. This doggie has learned some tricks over the years

I'm easy to find. My main email is [email protected]

Shoot me an email when you get a second and I'll give you my cell#.

Cya,
-Mike

Well, Mike, it looks like I've lucked out and gotten one of the first versions to hit the States. I wanted to paint mine, but this one already is; maybe I will just add a wee bit to it. I'm planning on making a good run with the 3D and Shinden this year, will probably wear at least one of them out by July! Good news is, it looks like I've lucked up on a pretty reliable source for my next plane [:-]

I'll be knee deep in outfitting this one for a few weeks; am working so much that I don't have time to breathe, hardly. Should leave plenty of funds for travelling to contests this year; we're looking forward to seeing you at yours. Hopefully, this one will be tip-top before the first contest.

I got a paint scheme #1, and will be using the 160DZ. You ought to see the 140DZ in the 3D.....[>:]

See ya later this year..

Brian Clemmons

mjfrederick,

I spoke to Richard today. Motors came in and so did a huge parts order. Central will have parts by the first part of next week. I know there have been many folks waiting for parts. This shipment should take care of the issues and then some.

There are also engines available as well. I just picked up a new 160. Flew My 170 today after flying a 160 for a little while. It is doing well but wanted a little insurance. Not sure when the 170 will be available, but the differences are very minor. My 170 turns about 100-150rpm more than my strong 160's and maybe 200-250 more than my worn out prototype 160. Its needs a rebuild. The difference where I notice the 170 to benefit is down below 1/2 throttle. The pickup and transition in this range is a little better. The motor really makes good torque and pulling power down in the low end throttle. The I would say the difference to compare is about 10% better in the transition down low and nothing essentially at the top end.

By the way Bryan glad to see the model making its way to the public. Looks good man.

Troy

Matt and others:

The 160dz is a huge improvement over the 140dz in my opinion. More power, bigger props and in most cases better dependability.

We had a chance to work with a 170dz prototype over the holidays and found that it was a little smoother than the 160 (if that's possible) and more torque in the low to mid range but wouldn't handle any bigger or different props than the 160. The 170 is a great engine but will not make the 160 obsolete.

I guess what I'm saying is that if I could choose between a 140 and a 160, the 160 would win each and every time, but that if a 160 is available and the 170 is not available until sometime next year I wouldn't wait.

Mike Wickizer

Thanks Troy
I should be able to give flight reports in a few weeks
The first five have been shipped from BVM
and there are about 15 coming in a few months .
I`m anxious to get my 1.70 for the Shinden Bipe I have on the drawing board.
although the 1.60`s I have have been a pure joy to opperate.
Matt will be competing with my old Genisis set up after he gets the motor rebuilt
it will be fine ,,, it`s just been laying around a while
Bryan

I appreciate the info Troy, I can't wait to get those parts and get flying again. I also appreciate everyone's insight into the 140DZ vs 160DZ, but I'm not looking to replace this engine, I just got it... As Bryan said, it was just laying up for a little while and needed a change of bearings/gaskets/o-rings. Besides, if I can't get it running, I'm sure one of my fellow club members can! I've got plenty of resources here in this area. I guess one might say that I'm blessed... or lucky. Bryan: can't wait to see what the Shinden Bipe is gonna look like. I think that the lines of the fuselage on the Shinden will make for a very sharp-looking bipe.

Oh, yeah, one more thing Bryan. I will no longer have issues with fitting the Genesis in my car!!! The Grand Cherokee has been replaced by a Tahoe... I might actually be able to fit a suitcase in the car with me now when I pack for a contest!

Went down to BVM Friday and p/u my Shinden. Took the kit to the field Sunday to show it off - big, lite, and beautiful. It is built for a short pipe , so today, out came the plastic for a 160dz, header and muffler. Directions show JR servos - that what I will use all around. A pushrod is in the kit for the elevator, but I hope to use the DEP system.

Billy - Jacksonville, FL contest, Sept 29th and 30th.

Got my Shinden via UPS today; it is light and beautiful. Am quite pleased with the workmanship and fit of all parts. You know, Matt, I'd kinda like another Shinden! Having had close association with two of these models now (the prototype as well as one of this first run from Xtreme) I can say from experience that this is one fine airframe. I, too, will use the DEPS, short pipe and 160DZ. I've seen, from a callers perspective, what that combination can do. Certainly more than I can at this point, which is the point. The equipment will not be my limiting factor, only the amount of effort I put into practising. Firewall, servos, motor, and we're in the air. Look out D6! Matt, Jon; it'd be nice to see everybody at Dixie this weekend!

Brian

"Maybe the Dingo ate your baby"

I've got nothing to fly, but as long as the weather's good I'll be there with bells on. I might try and get my OS 1.20 running and bring out my Telemaster to putt around. Has Bryan gotten his composite Shinden complete yet?

What ???? You guys can't fly when I'm not working [>:] I will be airlining to Geneva, Switzerland tomorrow
and will not get home until next Tuesday. Maybe the next weekend I'm home we can all fly together.
From what I hear Dixie has a smooth runway now Yall let me know if this is true.

Have Fun and Fly Safe,
Jon[8D]

[color=#3300FF]I think he's getting close on the composite version, Matt. Will start the radio installation soon. He hates that. I coopted his time to put a nose ring in the 3D last night, the Dingo bites. The Hyde Mount didn't quite contain the movement in the tight cowl. I still like the ARI mount, but it needed a little bit more room to work. Coming up on the first fifty flights, and we're shaking out some minor things; rear pin sockets worked loose, needed the hard mounted nose ring, a leak in the pipe coupler. The usual with a wood airplane.

And Jon, in case I didn't say it clearly, THANK YOU for taking care of the runway. It was a cold, wet, rainy day when you loaded up the tractor and roller to repair the runway, fifty miles driving to get there, and we appreciate your effort! Whenever you do get time off to fly with us, we'll be having fun then! Your Shinden ought to be coming in soon, too. It'll be cool having a bunch of them at the Dixie field at the same time. Sounds like a photo op to me. And I like your ideas about the pig roast for the contest. New is good, we've done jambalaya a long time. Cochon d'lait will be great, I'm ready now. Maybe I'll do a maquechou to go with it.

See y'all when we see you....

Brian

I wasn't aware that y'all had taken care of the runway already!!! Damn that was quick! I need to get on Central's website tonight and order the nose ring, tank, and battery for the genesis. I'm itching to fly again. In fact, I think I'm getting a rash. Oh, I can't remember what the final word on the voltage regulator for the 7.4v battery should be with those servos Bryan had in the Genesis, should I get the 5.1, 5.7, or 6.0 volts? Also, should I bother getting the one with the switch, or just use a stock Futaba switch? I really don't want to spend an extra $20 to get something that I already have.