The 35% Dalton Aviation Extra 260 19.2 lbs Build, Fly, .... and Repair thread

BoneDoc · Jun 03, 2007, 12:44 AM

Hi Guys,

As a few of you might know, my wife and kids are out visiting their relatives in Indonesia for a full 2 months. Meanwhile, I have to find something to do otherwise, I'd go nuts

.

So I've always been impressed with large E-Conversions. However, most are converting ARFs designed for gas, and I'm not about to fork out the electron's version of a 100cc engine.

Enter Bob Sawyer. On this thread in FlyingGiants.com, he actually took a 40% Carden 260 all the way down to 28 lbs, equipped with DA 100. Many thought the plane would not fly, or break at the first snap. Yet to this day, he's had 40 pretty hard flights of it without any signs of wear or fatigue.

So my mind start churning. What if I can take a 35% plane and take it all the way down to 20 lbs, and use the available powerplant that most people here are overpowering their 50cc conversion with? I have a 110 HV already, so I just need battery and motor.

Since there are no ARFs out there that comes even close to 20 lbs with standard setup, I have to resort to a kit. Enter Dalton Aviation's Extra 260. Many raves about its flying qualities as well as overall IMAC / 3D performance, so 814 dollars later, I'm off to the most ambitious project I've ever tackled. The most I've done in terms of building is a SA Edge 540. Any of you SA owners / builders out there, there's no plane that will fly as well / light as an SA. Likewise, properly built, I should be able to nail this down.

Wish me luck

.

NumbSkull · Jun 03, 2007, 12:47 AM

Good luck Josh!!

Cant wait to see how this works out for ya!!

sun.flyer · Jun 03, 2007, 01:27 AM

This should be a fun project to watch. I am assuming Josh you will be doing a build thread on this as well? Looking at the manual it definately looks like there is the opportunity to take out some weight on it without compromising the structure.

Ditto on Numbs comment, Good luck Josh!!

Tim

BoneDoc · Jun 03, 2007, 02:37 AM

.

One of the neat concept that Bob taught me is the idea of "weight budget." Come to think about it, since it makes sense to budget our finances, time, etc, why not budget the weight? Bob has kindly given me the realistic budget to hit (since I have zero experience with this).

Fuselage 40 ozs.
canopy complete 10 ozs.
Tail feathers 20 ozs.
Engine cowl with topcoat 12 ozs.
Carbon wheel pants and landing gear with
Titanium axles & Kavan wheels 16 ozs.
Tail gear 1.5 ozs.
Carbon wing tube 5 ozs.
Wings 64 ozs.
Carbon spinner 4 ozs.
Prop 6 ozs.
Servos 16 ozs.
Battery and switch 4 ozs.
Receiver, hardware and extensions 17 ozs.
Covering 12 ozs.
Graphics 3 ozs.
Total 14.406 lbs.

That will leave me 6 lbs for the power system. I'm considering 12S 5000 mah setup mated to a 2 lb motor, which will give 4000 watts. That's 200 watts / lb, not as "crazy" as some of these models, but definitely plenty.

blucor basher · Jun 03, 2007, 04:56 PM

Josh -

Awesome. Glad you decided to jump into this one head first.

When do you expect to finish?

BoneDoc · Jun 03, 2007, 09:32 PM

It has to be done before July. My 2nd year start in July, and then I'll be too busy to do anything meaningful (RC related at least

).

BoneDoc · Jun 04, 2007, 04:17 AM

Ok, so here is where I am right now.

I've framed up the fuse, sheeted the turtle deck, and sheeted both elevator / H Stab. Not bad for several day's worth. And in the process, I've removed over 1/2, probably closer to 3/4 lbs altogether.

Here are some pics.

blucor basher · Jun 04, 2007, 09:14 AM

Impressive!

sun.flyer · Jun 04, 2007, 09:23 AM

Sweet looking good Josh. Looks like one Giant sized SA kit thats for sure.

What motor/esc are you planning on using?

Tim

mexico · Jun 04, 2007, 12:06 PM

subscribed

What does this mean? "I have not removed some weight from the LG plate and restaurant."

BoneDoc · Jun 04, 2007, 01:42 PM

Lol, it was 3:17 am when I posted that message. I must be half asleep.

What I meant was LG plate and motor box. There's at least 2 Oz to be had by lightening them.

mexico · Jun 04, 2007, 01:55 PM

I guess we now know who does the cooking in your house.

NumbSkull · Jun 04, 2007, 02:32 PM

Looks great Josh..

Any chance you take a shot of the fuse by that extra 330 so that we can get an idea of the size of this bird?

mexico · Jun 04, 2007, 02:40 PM

35% Extra 260 should be just over 100" I think.

sun.flyer · Jun 04, 2007, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mexico

35% Extra 260 should be just over 100" I think.

Dalton Aviation

WS=103"

Tim

Jun 03, 2007, 12:44 AM	#1
BoneDoc ILoveInn Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 12,975	The 35% Dalton Aviation Extra 260 19.2 lbs Build, Fly, .... and Repair thread Hi Guys, As a few of you might know, my wife and kids are out visiting their relatives in Indonesia for a full 2 months. Meanwhile, I have to find something to do otherwise, I'd go nuts . So I've always been impressed with large E-Conversions. However, most are converting ARFs designed for gas, and I'm not about to fork out the electron's version of a 100cc engine. Enter Bob Sawyer. On this thread in FlyingGiants.com, he actually took a 40% Carden 260 all the way down to 28 lbs, equipped with DA 100. Many thought the plane would not fly, or break at the first snap. Yet to this day, he's had 40 pretty hard flights of it without any signs of wear or fatigue. So my mind start churning. What if I can take a 35% plane and take it all the way down to 20 lbs, and use the available powerplant that most people here are overpowering their 50cc conversion with? I have a 110 HV already, so I just need battery and motor. Since there are no ARFs out there that comes even close to 20 lbs with standard setup, I have to resort to a kit. Enter Dalton Aviation's Extra 260. Many raves about its flying qualities as well as overall IMAC / 3D performance, so 814 dollars later, I'm off to the most ambitious project I've ever tackled. The most I've done in terms of building is a SA Edge 540. Any of you SA owners / builders out there, there's no plane that will fly as well / light as an SA. Likewise, properly built, I should be able to nail this down. Wish me luck . Last edited by BoneDoc; Aug 06, 2007 at 02:58 AM.

Jun 03, 2007, 09:32 PM	#6
BoneDoc ILoveInn Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 12,975	It has to be done before July. My 2nd year start in July, and then I'll be too busy to do anything meaningful (RC related at least ). Last edited by BoneDoc; Jun 04, 2007 at 09:11 AM.

Jun 04, 2007, 04:17 AM	#7
BoneDoc ILoveInn Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 12,975	Ok, so here is where I am right now. I've framed up the fuse, sheeted the turtle deck, and sheeted both elevator / H Stab. Not bad for several day's worth. And in the process, I've removed over 1/2, probably closer to 3/4 lbs altogether. Here are some pics. Attached Thumbnails Fuse framed and lightened 66.2 KB · Views: 677 Another view, please pardon the mess : ). 64.5 KB · Views: 535 Lightening holes galore 57.1 KB · Views: 515 Pieces sawed off (not including holes from drilling) 40.8 KB · Views: 475 Turtledeck sheeted 33.1 KB · Views: 592 tail. Don't worry, I added some braces to strengthen the phenolic. 34.1 KB · Views: 501 Sheeted H Stab 34.2 KB · Views: 478 Tape the sheets together first. 17.9 KB · Views: 435 Taped, and cut 23.3 KB · Views: 449 Dry fit 30.7 KB · Views: 448 2 lbs, 2 Oz... not bad 40.2 KB · Views: 464 Side sheeted. I can't believe how sheeting the side alone (TD not glue yet), really adds a lot of rigidity. This plane is solid now. Even if you go gasser, it'll hold 28.1 KB · Views: 592 TD 31.4 KB · Views: 533 Just hit the mark of 40 Oz. Goal met. There are some lightening holes to be done still. I have not removed some weight from the LG plate and motor box. 25.0 KB · Views: 517 Last edited by BoneDoc; Jun 04, 2007 at 01:44 PM.

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Jun 03, 2007, 12:47 AM	#2
NumbSkull Koolaid Junkie Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittsburg, KS Posts: 5,262	Good luck Josh!! Cant wait to see how this works out for ya!!

Jun 03, 2007, 01:27 AM	#3
sun.flyer God is my co-pilot. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Swanton, Ohio Posts: 7,644	This should be a fun project to watch. I am assuming Josh you will be doing a build thread on this as well? Looking at the manual it definately looks like there is the opportunity to take out some weight on it without compromising the structure. Ditto on Numbs comment, Good luck Josh!! Tim

Jun 03, 2007, 02:37 AM	#4
BoneDoc ILoveInn Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 12,975	. One of the neat concept that Bob taught me is the idea of "weight budget." Come to think about it, since it makes sense to budget our finances, time, etc, why not budget the weight? Bob has kindly given me the realistic budget to hit (since I have zero experience with this). Fuselage 40 ozs. canopy complete 10 ozs. Tail feathers 20 ozs. Engine cowl with topcoat 12 ozs. Carbon wheel pants and landing gear with Titanium axles & Kavan wheels 16 ozs. Tail gear 1.5 ozs. Carbon wing tube 5 ozs. Wings 64 ozs. Carbon spinner 4 ozs. Prop 6 ozs. Servos 16 ozs. Battery and switch 4 ozs. Receiver, hardware and extensions 17 ozs. Covering 12 ozs. Graphics 3 ozs. Total 14.406 lbs. That will leave me 6 lbs for the power system. I'm considering 12S 5000 mah setup mated to a 2 lb motor, which will give 4000 watts. That's 200 watts / lb, not as "crazy" as some of these models, but definitely plenty.

Jun 03, 2007, 04:56 PM	#5
blucor basher www.3DHobbyShop.com Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Fredericksburg, Texas, United States Posts: 17,119	Josh - Awesome. Glad you decided to jump into this one head first. When do you expect to finish?

Jun 04, 2007, 09:14 AM	#8
blucor basher www.3DHobbyShop.com Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Fredericksburg, Texas, United States Posts: 17,119	Impressive!

Jun 04, 2007, 09:23 AM	#9
sun.flyer God is my co-pilot. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Swanton, Ohio Posts: 7,644	Sweet looking good Josh. Looks like one Giant sized SA kit thats for sure. What motor/esc are you planning on using? Tim

Jun 04, 2007, 12:06 PM	#10
mexico Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 7,785	subscribed What does this mean? "I have not removed some weight from the LG plate and restaurant."

Jun 04, 2007, 01:42 PM	#11
BoneDoc ILoveInn Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 12,975	Lol, it was 3:17 am when I posted that message. I must be half asleep. What I meant was LG plate and motor box. There's at least 2 Oz to be had by lightening them.

Jun 04, 2007, 01:55 PM	#12
mexico Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 7,785	I guess we now know who does the cooking in your house.

Jun 04, 2007, 02:32 PM	#13
NumbSkull Koolaid Junkie Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittsburg, KS Posts: 5,262	Looks great Josh.. Any chance you take a shot of the fuse by that extra 330 so that we can get an idea of the size of this bird?

Jun 04, 2007, 02:40 PM	#14
mexico Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 7,785	35% Extra 260 should be just over 100" I think.