Hey guys, I have been flying giant scale about 4 years, always had a WH bird. I bought a 300LX at first and it was beautiful with a DA 50, but lost it due to an engine failure during a hover. I then purchased a 33% Extra 260 with ZDZ 80, but I lost it this weekend due to interference. Our field has been having issues with low channels getting hit, multiple planes lost recently and I was on channel 23. I decided to replace them both yesterday since I have a trailer with two open spots. I ordered a 28% 300 with the 3MM motor, the DA NEVER ran right, always had some issues even after being sent back to DA. I also purchased my new pride and joy, a 35% extra 300 in the blue/white scheme. I am going to try to keep it light and use the ZDZ, it was a strong motor on the 33%. I am pretty excited to get to put together both of them. As always Tom was extremely helpful and polite. I have built a few WHs now, however I have not built either of these models, if anyone has some tips or pics of their setups in these planes (especially the 35%) I would love to take a look! Thanks, Derek.

I have the 28% Extra, and I must say, this one will more than likely be your "daily driver"! I am sure it has something to do with my setup\ C/G, but the only thing that I can come up with bad, is that there is some coupling in KE. I can "fly" the coupling out, so it's not that bad. other than that,(THE ONLY LITTLE THING!) what a plane!!!!
I also have the 3MM 53, and have had pretty darn good luck with it. I have heard pro's and con's about this engine, but I am on the "pro's" side of the fence....The engine is broken in now, and running like a striped *****ed ape, so I decided to prop it up a bit- I did however find out when it will stop pulling with a 23B vess... 6450 on the ground with a bunch of pull, but just never wound out in the air like the 23A or a 22/8 bunny prop. 22/8 btw if I remember correctly was right around 68/6900 on the ground. I'm running 50/1 semi synthetic (dont hang me here guys) golden spectro and 91 octane in this engine @sea level, and it just runs sweet!
Also, if you are interested, I am running 5955tg on the rudder(1) and 5985mg's all around elsewhere. choke is now manual, and throttle is just an 821 std dig. I also went a bit heavier with 2 batts/switches, but peace of mind for me and spektrum- the Tanic pack a123's from tom- GREAT BATTS! In a great flying plane! You'll love it!

On the 35 percent, try the front wing tube slot for balance first. I have a DA 85 and used the rear slot initially(you have to cut the tube 1 inch to fit the rear slot), and it was way to nose heavy. I change to the front slot and it is perfect. I do have a can and use 2 A123's right behind the wing tube. The plane flies extremely well!

Do you all think that fitting these planes with my 9CAP and a 2.4Ghz conversion module a good idea? I have been out of the techno look for about 1 year, is it the right thing to use now? Also, I ran Liions and regs in the two priors but now I hear about these A123 batts, are these better? Thanks for the help. Derek.

I am running a DX-7 (2.4) in my extra- so far so good..... I have had low voltage re-boot issues in the past, (not with this plane) so I am not taking chances anymore... I run unregulated A123's (2ea) 2300Mah ea. without issue. Also, after about 3 to 5 flights, I only put back MAYBE 500Mah into each pack. A123's are also cool for me because I can quick charge them at the field or any event I go to whereas if t were something else (NiMh or NiCd) it would take considerably longer. These packs can be charged at up to 10A. I charge mine @ 7.5A. Takes only a few minutes to put the juice back. you will need to buy a specific charger (A123 only) but I think it's a pretty good setup.
Back to the 2.4 stuff- I have the AR7000 rx, and it is PACKED! but works well. the only change to "box stock", was the addition of a 24" remote rx extension.I built a lite ply box to raise the rx up to about an inch below the canopy, and mounted the remote where the "pilots" headrest would be. (right behind the canopy in the turtledeck) obviously perpendicular to one another..... I'll attach some pics in a bit- the ones I have on my computer don't make sense as they are at an incomplete stage of completion... Hopefully they will make sense..

here's a couple of pics... hope you can see them ok....

Derek:

When the 2.4 revolution started I began testing with a DX7. I had excellent performance, so I decided to get a module for my Futaba 9C as the X9303 was not yet out.

It worked, but was a big disappointment. For me, I like the other features you get with the native 2.4, such as model match and the faster response. Using a module you don't get these other features. I flew the Futaba/module setup one time and ordered a X9303 which is what I use now. I am extremely happy. I still have the module-equipped 9C if somebody wants a cheap route into 2.4. I never use it, I prefer the rather primitive DX7 over the feature rich but lethargic 9C.

Regarding batteries, A123s are the way to go now. I would never buy any older technology. If you already have the older stuff then fine, but when it needs replacement get the A123s.

I am flying a 35% Extra now like your new one, with 2 A123 2300mah packs. After 3-4 flights (we were doing a lot of testing/adjusting so it was up and down a lot) I recharged and put in 450mah and 500mah respictively, I am finding that quite reliably a 35% plane uses around 300mah per flight, meaning that 2 2300mah packs are good for about 12 flights without a recharge.

If you want to discuss the battery technology give me a call. Also I have one X9303 2.4 radio in stock for a great price in case you decide to go that way.

TF

Tom, I have got to say that you really know your stuff, I figured that I should have just asked you in the first place. I have been reading through the Futaba forums to try and see what other people were doing with the 9CAP/FASST and most seem happy with it, I dont know, I really love this radio and I think thats where my hesitation comes in to replace it (plus I have never used a JR.) I am pretty sure that I am going to stick with the LiPos since most people have so much good luck with this setup and I already own a nice charger. I may give you a shout and see if you want to "upgrade" your 9CAPS back to FM and give that module a good home. Thanks, Derek.

Derek:

Sorry to hear about your mishaps. I just purchased my first gas plane. It's a Wild Hare 300 Extra, powered by a 50cc DA with the JR X9303 2.4. I have the JR 921 RX and five JR 8611A and two 821 digital servos. I use an A123 for the ignition and dual A123 battrey packs for the flight pack. It's been an awesome combination. I now have 45 flights on it in the last month and not a single glitch. I find the A123 batteries to be great. They perform just like everything that has been written about them. I charge them as I'm driving to the field and get a least 5 flights out of them and, then, for safety re-charge them in five minutes. The plane itself is a beauty. Flies like a charm. I went for my first JR radio system because of all the problems I have been reading on the Futaba web site regarding over heating RX's and Futaba's evasive way of dealing with this and other problems. The JR is great but pricey. My DA has been running great with a Pitts muffler. You probably got a bad engine that they never resolved for you. Regarding building tips, just follow Tom's instruction with the plane. This was my first build/assembly of a plane like this and Tom's instruction were right on point and easy to follow. The tricky part was getting the engine aligned and mounted but I followed Tom's direction and hit it the first shot in very little time. After that, everything went together as stated in the instructions. I'm now planning to order a 50cc Edge for my next project. Good luck!

Hey Guys, I got to do a dry setup tonight of the entire plane and I have an issue. I weighed the plane by using my weight and then holding the plane on a regular bathroom scale and it came out to 25.5 lbs. I am kinda concerned now with the ZDZ 80 power up front. Here is a pic of her. Do you think it will be able to even hover at that weight?

That's very hard to say, it depends on your engine and a lot of other things. When we talked on the phone before you bought theplane I expressed doubts about whether your 80 would have enough poop, I vaguely recall you saying that the engine was mounted on another plane of similar weight and did OK.

As far as hovering, that engine will probably hover it OK but pullout might require that you tip it to an angle so the engine is not pulling 100% against gravity.

The plane looks great though!

TF

xxx

Go fly and let us know! My Da 85 was doing good on it!

DA-100 man! It would be a rocket with a 100

Trying to keep the lightest wing loading possible.

You may want to check out flyin Giants web site there is a lot of info over there on the Futaba modules and recievers. I would say go with the 9303, I just switched over to the dark side from Futaba 9C. I watched my friends comp arf take off across the runway at almost full throttle because his new futaba 608fs reciever failed because of heat. The recievers (not all of them) are heating up after the battery is switched on and failing due to temperature. I will not fly with the new Futaba stuff, I don't want to loose a plane because of a problematic reciever issue, I have a hard enough time keeping them in the air due to my own fault.