I bit the bullet and ordered mine in all -white and added Pepsi graphics.

My WH Extra uses a BME 105 with K&S cannisters (my first effort with cannisters). I used 6 Hitec 5945 digital servos, one Hitec 5735 digital for the rudder, and a pair of Hitec regulars for the throttle and the choke. Transmitter is a Futaba Super 8 and receiver is a Multiplex IPD 9 channel. BTW, the 105 will shortly be replaced with the new 110 BME Extreme (can't wait!)

I too,was impressed with the kit overall, though I did experience a couple of glitches. The wing tube was a VERY tight fit in the wings and I had to chuck it in a lathe and use 400 and 600 sandpaper to dress it down a few thousandths to fit. One wing panel had the servo holes placed wrong, giving more angle on the aileron pushrods. Tom probably would have replaced the panel, but I had already re-covered it so.......I'm getting by for the time being. After a bit of adjusting, I've got both ailerons moving in unison.

The hardware package was first rate, and offered everything (including all the little stuff) one needs to finish the plane. The plane has lots of details. For example, the cutouts are already there for ignition and radio switches assuming one will use the heavy duty kind like those offerd by Maxx Products, Cermark, and JR. There's already a provision for tuned cannisters (unlike many other planes that make installing cans a hassle). Cowling is already mounted and mounting the engine is made a lot easier if instructions are followed regarding getting the offset right. Overall, it's well thought out and seems designed by a FLYER!

I haven't weighed mine yet, but 28 pounds seems a good neighborhood, as it does seem a lot heavier than my Great Planes Extra's 24 pounds. Then, it is a MUCH larger bird.

I needed 7 ounces of nose weight to balance at 4 3/4" back of the wingtip's front corner.

With the control surface throws set up per instructions the maiden voyage was uneventful. Couple clicks here and there, and she was rock solid (sure glad, too, since my knees were shaking badly). Made a few circuits, did a couple rolls, loops, and knife edges, then brought her in for a landing to check for loose bolts and stuff. She sure lands easy!

After checking things out, (and finding a couple loose bolts) a gave myself a bit more aileron throw, and added a bit of mix to eliminate the slight pull to the belly on knife edge, and took off for the second flight feeling confident. She flies BIG, and flies well. The BME 105 is a good choice for sequence work. It has power to pull out of a hover with some authority, but it doesn't LEAP up (the new 110 Extreme will change that). This is a plane that flies well enough so that if you know how to move the sticks for any manuever, it will make you look GOOD doing it. I like manuevers that look effortless in their execution, and this plane gives you that in spades. All I need is more stick time on her to find out how SHE likes to do the stuff I like to do. BTW, I'm not into 3D, (I'd rather do a one turn roller than torque roll 30 minutes), but having said that, this plane will probably be a very capable 3D performer as well.

I've posted some pics here: WH 330 pics .

I've also got video of my second flight in two flavors: Broadband video or Dial-up Video

I'll have more info shortly as I get more accustomed to the plane. For now, though, IT'S A KEEPER!!!!!

The new plane looks great Tim, and I can see you're already making it look good with the flying. Now I'm sorry I missed the fly-in Saturday.

I gave my first big one it's maiden flight last week. Everything went well, but for some reason the transmitter started leaking water all over the place.

Slow, yeah, lotsa people are blaming YOU for all that water!!

Glad to hear the maiden went well and I'm looking forward to seeing it in person!

I enjoyed the fly-in and got in a couple more flights on my bird. Josh got some stick time on his new Great Planes Extra also (twin to the "other" one, R.I.P.)

Looks good Tim. Hope to see you and Josh over here for the Rantoul Fly In Aug 23-24. Roller looks great as does the slow rolls. Seems to have plenty of side area for slow knife edge.

Chris

Hey Chris, both Josh and I have really been missing you guys. We'll DEFINITELY be over for Rantoul. Getting ready now!!!

I am interested in hearing continuing flight reports. in particular how does the plane fare in the snaps? from the pictures it looks like a big 'ole fat wing and was wndering how it breaks and recovers.

are you going to make any more contests this year?? there still is plenty of flying left this season!

looks good, enjoy,

Hubb

You must fly Imac, can it 3D?

Congrats Tim

I just got mine in.... without a DOUBT this thing will 3D with the best of them...

Ailerons almost to the fuse sides, HUGE elevators & rudder...

I get more and more pumped as I look at it...

I have a couple other projects to get out the door first tho...

Tim_Indy...

Did you get around to fixing the wheel? In the video you can planely hear a wheel squeeking pretty loudly... A testiment to the quietness of then canisters.



Great flying guy! Really nice handling plane from the looks of it, but your skills make it look good too...

Nice 4 & 8 point rolls, slow rolls, SLOW rolling circles...

You had my mind frazzled figuring out the sticks on them...

LOL......John, I'm not the ideal guy to ask that question, however, I do agree with Mordib that it wil be a great 3D platform. The big thick airfoil makes it hang on rather than stall which is good for manuevers like elevators, harriers, walls, parachutes, and blenders, etc. These are manuevers that the PLANE does with its flight characteristics, and require little of the pilot. The large tail surfaces should also bode well in those manuevers that the PILOT does. Examples are torque rolls, rolling harriers, etc. Matter of fact the large side area of the fuse provides good yaw authority for high alpha knife edge flight and should also allow a great looking SLOW rolling harrier. Now THAT'S a manuever I'll work on!!!

From what I can see so far, if you know how to move the sticks for a manuever, the WH 330 can do it for you.

One thing I'm looking to explore is that because it seems almost Edge 540-like in the way it hangs onto flight, it also might share the Edge's difficulty to get a clean break for snaps and spins. To early in my game for me to tell, but I'll definitely be looking at that. Of course, if one's deal is mainly 3D, then that won't be an issue, right?

LOL......yeah, bit of oil solved that problem for sure. This is my first excursion with cannisters, and I'm liking them for sure!!!
Yepper, it IS a good handling plane, and you'll LOVE yours. I leave the 3D flipping stuff to you young guys, I prefer what I've come to call the "old man" manuevers.
You had my mind frazzled figuring out how you did your beautiful covering schemes.......

The I guess we're even then Tim...

So what happened to your GP Extra, Tim? I've got the photos of the pull-pull system from your website saved on my hard drive for future reference. That was a nice plane.

Rein

She was involved in a mid-air at a fly-in the first of June (R.I.P). I couldn't get real upset, though because with over 350 flights under her belt, she didn't owe me anything! Matter of fact I wouldn't mind if ALL my planes had an automatic 300 flight limit. I'd just call all my friends over on flight 301 for the "going out" party!

We've got our new ones flying now, Josh's Great Planes 330 on the left, and my Wild Hare 330 on the right. Life is good!

Hi Tim Great Job Looks like it flys very smooth have you had a chance to weigh it yet. Mark,

I HAVE THE WILDHARE EXTRA AND IT IS FLYING REALLY WELL BETTER THAN H9 SUKHOI AND AW EDGE540. IT IS A GREAT PLANE FOR PATTERN FLYING AS WELL AS 3D . IT IS VERY STABLE IN A TORQUE ROLL AND HOVER AND WILL HOLD A KNIFE EDGE AT A CRAWL. THE PLANE HAS ABOUT 20 FLIGHTS ON IT NOW WITH NO PROBLEMS. I'M USING A DA100 AND 8 8411JRS PLUS ONE DECENT SERVO FOR THE THROTTLE. PLUS BEING TRUTHFUL NOW WITHOUT ADDING ALL KINDS OF EPOXY THE PLANE WIEGHS STILL IN AT 30 AND A HALF POUNDS. TRYING TO SEND A PICTURE WITH THIS REPLY. HOPE IT COMES OUT.

Seems a little heavy...

what's your setup? batteries, tanks, smoke, any balast? where's the rudder setup?

Can not wait to see her in person at Rantoul.
Yours and Josh's.

RORO

Roger, looking forward to seeing your smiling face at Rantoul also.

SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Mordib, you going to the DOGS at Dayton in a couple of weeks?

Yepper!

Looking forward to it... I skipped it last yeae thinking it was mostly warbirds... but my buddy came back and rubbed it in my face how awesome it was...

So this will be my first year.

Great. I'll be there Saturday and Sunday, and I'll definitely look you up (especially to see that BEAUTIFUL scheme on your bird).

There is no smoke system, the batteries are 2 1600mah for reciever nimh,and one 1400mah nicd for ignition. I only added one small servo tray for the pull pull to get it to balance.I dont know why it weighs in at 30 and half pounds but it seems that all the 33% and 35% planes that I have built come out to 29 to 30lb. Maybe it's the crappy New England weather soaking into the wood.

Mordib and Tim,

I'll see both of you at D.O.G.S.
I should have went to Chanute this weekend as I am only about 45 min from there. Anyway, The DOGS event is an awesome show, in fact I won't ever miss it. You did miss a good one last year.

See you guys there!