Specifications
Wingspan: 1219mm /48"
Length:1094mm /43"
Wing area: 490 sq.in
Flight weight: approx 955gr/33.7oz
Wing loading: approx 9.9oz/sq.ft
Drive System
PA Thrust 30 outrunner motor
PA Quantum 40 Programmable ESC
PA Lipo pack 11.1V 2200mAh 18-30c
The Extra 260 arrived today I unpacked it and checked the fuse and wings all the film was immaculate no needing ironing this baby and the colour matching to canopy and cowl is 100% match and was very impressed with the lightweight frame and carbon fibre fusion methods this making it very light and strong and after looking at the kit I was surprised how little u have to do to finish the arf and getting excited to fly her.
The Build
Wings and Servos
I located the servo location on the wing was very easy to find I cut the hole with a new exo knife but I cut it 5mm smaller than hole so I can iron the film down to give a better finish . I got Metal gear servos there the same size as the 9gram servo they just slot straight in the servo mount without having to inlarge the Mount .
I recommend when screwing the servo in predrill the screw holes as they are carbon strengthen and u can break the side tabs as getting a screw into the carbon is very hard . After mounting the servo in place u have to install the carbon horn this has to be one of the easiest parts as u can see the pre-cut slot for the horn all I did was use the exo knife to remove the film. I Put a couple drops of medium CA glue in and pushed the carbon horn in.
After the CA had set it was time to the control rods this is a very easy and simple to do get the carbon part and the metal rod and measure to the right length and then wrap in the cotton string binding them together then adjusting the angle and length to suit just put some ca on the cotton binding and it sets like a rock in the kit there’s some shrink tube to cover over the binding just to make it look real professional.
To the hinging well there’s none to do as it has a centre hinge setup and already done at the factory it is unreal they have done this as u normally don’t see this on smaller planes
Elevator and Rudder
The elevator was very easy just stots into place I put some medium ca in and slotted in and it was done.
The elevator is a very interesting design it has an aerofoil wing shape something u don’t normal see on a small aircraft.
Sealing the hinges was easy as in the kit they have pre cut matching colour film just iron on with low heat to get the location right then turn the iron up to get a clean looking seal.
The Rudder is simple Ca hinge just align up and thin ca them into place.
To the horns they where the same to ailerons’ except the rudder I had to open up a little to fit the C horn threw the rudder as I have decided to use a pull pull system I epoxy the rudder horn in as u have to make the slot a little bigger than the horn to fit it in .
Fuse
The fuse is a work of art all the work has virtually been done for u the rudder servo tray was ready to go just drop the servo in and ran the pull pull cables this is a bit tricky as using the ca to get them tight and correct length I found by taping the rudder flush made it a lot easer and in the end the finish came out great and the rudder moves freely.
Have to cut some film out for the elevator servo in the tail it was a simple job and the horn is the same as the ailerons.
U have to mount the firewall on it is different as there are carbon pins to lock in place and to give more ridged fixture and glue the ply locking tabs .
The landing gear is a simple bolt and screw job no real thinking needed here.
To the cowl it has a carbon ring around the back of the cowl this is for the screws to mount to the fuse same deal u need to pre drill as u won’t get any screws in by hand.
Electronics
There is a dedicated Receiver tray with a Velcro strap pre installed so just mount your RX I ran my antenna on the bottom of the fuse held with some excess film in the kit and all my servo wire I put in the frame channels to keep them neat
I am using the PA Thrust 30 motor with the quantum esc I found u have to drill out the centre hole on firewall as the clip on the motor shaft would bind I had to make it a lot larger I used a step drill to enlarge the diameter .
Setup
I found in the kit a trow gauge so no need to guess u can get all your surfaces precise I think this is a very simple and great idea ,
The Madian
The Madian was unbelievable it was a rocket with the motor setup I had to adjust the expo as was too responsive for the way I fly I put the expo up to 60% and it was perfect did some standard flying hammerheads, snaps, inverted flying got it pretty much trimmed then the second battery I pushed it a lot harder it some windy conditions 20nt winds and started harrier rolling it into the wind it just locked it and was real easy for adjustments in the harrier roll then did some blenders it winds up a bit but the recovery was instant which is great .
Had a muck around with some knife edge snaps and this thing is the king of them it was great fun.
On my holidays I got a heap of time on the 260 and found the high Alfa flying is one of the best I have flown in this size I was bringing it in slow and into a harrier no wing rock then pop up into a hover then a torque roll it was just locking in where minimum input was required to keep it there then pushing it to a high Alfa harrier I was just walking around with it then to a harrier landing.
So Verdict its one of the nicest planes in this size I have flown in all manners precision and 3d and just love it and know you will too.
Cheers Sean #######
www.3d-downunder.com
a few more flights and i should have the setting right for me. the power from the thrust 30 is great! im running a 3s 2100mah flightpower batt and it gives me plenty of flight time,
