Well chalk up 3 more flights that makes 15 and the DA-100 is really starting to come on
i had to put new dowels in the hatch as after i quit for the day i noticed they were gone so a quick trip to michaels for some 5/16" dowel fixed that they arent going anywhere now as i was thinking about it these were the only things i did not reinforce with thin ca but all in all a great day

Well, I finally got the Extra maidened yesterday. Not perfect conditions so I had a little help from a great guy, Tim Davie. Can you say that the Extra got a workout? He checked all the throws and expo made a few reccomendations, I made the changes and it was time. Started the old trusty DA and it was brimming with power. I got a chance last summer to buy a DA off a guy at a fly and buy for a reasonable price. Sent it in to DA to be checked our. They made a couple of repairs to the engine, and I needed a new ignition and all was well. Tim takes the extra to the runway, wind gusting from 10-15 and crossing grom SE to SW fairly regularly. Now mind you, first flight, been taxied once and here we go. Takes off and straight into a golling circle. Climbs up a little bit to check trim. 4 clicks of right, no rudder and no elevator trim needed. I have recovered from the low rolling circle enough to watch. Don' t feak out about the rolling circle. I have had Tim maiden almost all my planes and he trusts my assembly skills so there was really no question about how it would hold together. Checks the CG and says it is a bit nose heavy in flight and I agree. He says leave it where it is fow a while and I will. In simple turns it wants to drop the nose. Don't know how long I will leave it like that, but I trust his judgement and fly it for a while. Time flies it around doing some IMAC type stuff, which it handles very well, and some light 3d type stuff. He says it feels a little mushy on the elevator so he lands it. I take it back to the pits and check all the screws over and make sure nothing has adjusted by itself. All is good. I take some of the expo out of the aileron to make it a bit more responsive, dial back the high rate aileron throw a little.... I am a fan of very fast aileron rolls, they were a bit to fast...hahaha. Took a small break, then back up into the air. Started on third flip, idles great. Still gusting a bit so I still let Tim take it. Based on the first flight he didn't think it would do a waterfall, 2 seconds later he said he had to eat his words, it did it beautifully. I took the radion and flew it around just having some fun, then gave it back to him. He rang it out a little bit more, then landed it and said that it was the best plane I have ever had him maiden. He was very complimentary of the plane and said it was a 1000% percent better than the original WH Extra. Tom, thanks for putting out an affordable plane that we can enjoy. Your customer service is pretty much the best around. The only problem with the entire flight was the blue trim on the top of the wind came off, even after hitting it with the iron on opening the box. Still need to send the gear cuffs back to you. All in all, another very satisfied WildHare owner. 2 Wild Hares and 2 winners.... can't beat that.

Tom.... I believe you built a couple of these with a DA-85 combo didn't you? I'm sure they fly great , but just wanted to see if we could get a small report on it. I think guys are coming in around 27lbs with the DA-100 , so an 85cc build should come in around 25lbs , maybe slightly less because i know you like to K.I.S.S.

Also...i haven't been able to read through this entire thread yet , but does this 300 come with the pocket hinging like my 102" Sukhoi?

A small report is all you'll get.

I built one Extra 105" with the DA-85 and a canister. I only got one flight on it before it was damaged blowing off a table and across the yard, it's still awaiting repair.

But I did learn that the 85 is plenty of power for anything I want to do, will pull out of a hover smartly if not like a rocket. The engine is smooth and tractable, starts easy and runs fine.

I used the rear wing tube socket so no special action was required to make it balance.

Yes, the Extra has pocket hinges like your Sukhoi, and it is a wonderful flying plane. It flies like the 41% Extra except things happen just a bit faster, though it's still a "lazyboy" 3d flyer.

TF

UUHHGG!! that sucks big time Tom!! Hopefully you get it repaired soon , so you can do some more flying. I've got a good deal on a 3W-106 for my sukhoi as of right now , but i'll be getting a DA-85 from you a little later. I might get the 35% extra , DA-85 and a header combo from you within the next couple months. Gotta finish the damn sukhoi first though.


BTW : have you had any CF gear made for your extras yet?

I don't get involved with the aftermarket CF gear, but Graphtech seems to do a good job.

TF

The Alu gear is as light as the CF or so close to not be worth it, the extra lands so easy you shouldnt bend the gear, probably the easiest landing one Ive had.
Blip the throttle once and it'll fly off down the runway at 27lbs.

Tom,
Would it be possible to put a single KS 1090 in one of these? obviously the tunnel would need to be modified, but how much is in the way behind the factory tunnel?

Eric

You could do it, the area behind the end of the tunnel just has the radio tray, no major structure in there.

TF

Today I was finally able to maiden the Extra. Sweet plane! It has a new DA-85 on it. Again, sweet! Well, as my luck has it, I got about four minutes on the ground with the engine and about five minutes in the air before the rain set in. But in the five minutes, I can tell you it's the best plane I've flown. Zero coupling on knife edge. More to come.........

Three more flights and all I can say is WOW! Did I mention zero coupling on knife edge? It did almost everything so easy! Rolling harriers were bit of a problem due to no throttle curve, but after a few attempts they were ok (very slow). I'm used to Yaks and Sukhois, but this Extra is a nice change. The DA 85 has more power than you could ever need and I made no attempt to keep this light.

What length engine stand-offs are you using for the DA 100. I just got a great deal on the new lighter DA100 and compact mufflers. I was thinkning about swapping the DA85 out to compare.

THanks,
Howie

hi all...this my first giant build and looking for some feedback so far, is taken me a long time to finish this due to work travel but now am on the last stretch and have couple questions

1. I am using choke servo, but wanted to see if I have setup the linkages for both throttle and choke correctly, I am not sure they appear to be in good angle/bracing

2. The hinge rod on the wing extends out, does that get cut off? or is it not in all the way?

3. i have read elsewhere about 3'' rudder arm pull-pull, will that give sufficient throw? am using single JR8711

appreciate any feedback

I would move the throttle servo closer to the center, the choke servo also. I don't know why the factory put those holes way out at the edge, it makes for an awkward angle. You want the throttle to be smooth and positive.

You can cut it off, but having a little sticking out makes it easier to get hold of if you ever need to pull it out for some reason.



3" is enough if the arm in the rudder is only 3-3.5" long. The ratio of servo arm<>rudder arm is what determines rudder movement.

If the servo arm is 3" and the rudder arm is 4" then rudder motion will be 3/4 of servo movement. If they are the same length it is then a 1-1 ratio.


TF

thanks Tom....finally succesfull maiden today! wow what a nice airplane, this thing lifted off in 20ft or so, needed on click left aileron and one click down elevator, amazing, literally flies itself. put in like 3 flites motor running very good but still breakin in feels really strong

no major problems so far at all, wing bolts a little hard to get in and tailwheel seems not steering too well, but besides that is awesome. i have wing tube in rear position and is a bit nose heavy, is it advisable to move to front wing tube or shift weight around?

Use the front wing tube...I had to use the front wing tube with a DA 85.....and I would not cut the carbon rods. They pushed in flush on my plane.

Also, I would recommend ball links on the throttle and choke!

thx rxfish...doing ball links on those right now....and will switch to front wing tube. I meant to post pics before ,not sure what happened

one more thing, where can I get instrument panel for this kit??

We have some very nice vinyl printed panels.

Lightweight and cheap.

TF

Wildhare sells an instrument panel. Nice pilot! Where did you get it?

Sorry Tom, You beat me by 1 min 33 secs! HAHA

the pilot was from here [link]http://www.redaerorc.com/scalepilots.html[/link] but was a ripoff thou at almost $100 with shipping

how can I order the instrument panel decals Tom??

Just call me, 817-430-0107. 2 part panels are $15, single panels are $10.

TF

Where do you get those little clips that you use to hold down the wires? I noticed on another plane that they used little black clips that appear to be similar? Local electronics shops do not seem to handle them.

Bruce

The ones in pictures on this page are small black wire ties. You can obtain the rubber glue in types from Don's Hobby Shop. J-Tec wire keepers. Not cheap for the quantity you receive. Another wire securement device that works quite well are small "wire mounts" available at any electronics supply or good hardware store.