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3D Hobbyshop Extra 300SHP 3D Hobbyshop Extra 300SHP


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Product Review:
3D Hobby Shop 55" Extra 300 SHP

Perspective By:
John "TheTank" Banks

Manufacturer Contact:

3D Hobby Shop
603 FM 2093 STE 1601
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Phone: 830-990-6978


Manufacturer Website:
www.3dhobbyshop.com

FlyingGiants Ratings:
Packaging:
Kit Quality:
Ease of Build:
Huckability:
Overall:
Introduction

Highslide JS


Electric flight has been the fastest growing area of model flight over the past several years. With its ever-increasing popularity, continued innovation brings to us an ever more diverse group of products through easier access channels.  Where as in the past, a large part of this segment was concentrated on foamies, and ultra-light weight electrics, there has also been major steps forward in technology and availability of larger electric models.  At the forefront of this exciting new genre is 3D Hobby Shop and their Extra 330SHP!  When given the opportunity to review this aircraft, I immediately jumped on it as I have wanted a larger electric for quite some time, and 3D Hobby Shop's recommended setup package took all of the guesswork out of having a powerful, proven, and reliable setup.

Out of the Box:

Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS

When the man in the large brown truck dropped my Extra 300SHP, he had of course done his best to destroy it while on his truck. It was my luck that 3D Hobby Shop went to great lengths to protect their merchandise on its travels.  The double box protection and plenty of padding inside ensured that the airplane and accessories made it through to me with zero damage.  Upon unwrapping all of the individual parts from their clear packages, all of the covering was pristine over the top of an amazing light, laser-cut airframe in an attractive "lightening bolt" style-covering scheme. I knew from the first glance at the model that this was going to be a performer, and I couldn't wait to get it together.  Big wings, large control surfaces and a thick airfoiled horizontal stabilizer and rudder showed me that this kit was designed with all-out performance in mind.  Within the box was a full hardware kit complete with ball-links, phenolic horns, wheels, and a really trick tail wheel setup.  I also ordered my kit with the recommended power setup.  3D HobbyShop teamed up with Extremeflight R/C to offer a "Torque" 4014/578  motor and 80amp "Airboss" ESC that is perfect for this application and available directly through 3D HobbyShop.  Lastly in the box was a small assortment of Xoar and APC-E props that were recommended by 3D HobbyShop specifically for this airplane and are available through them directly.

Product Specifications
Specifications
  • Wingspan: 55 inches
  • Length: 56 inches
  • Wing Area: 640 square inches
  • Weight: 4.5-5.5 lbs.

Features include:

Curved aluminum landing gear with axles and 3DH "locking" wheels pants

Ball-link and phenolic-horn control hardware

Carbon wing tube and removable wings

Spring-loaded canopy-hatch latch
 

The 55" SHP is specifically intended for the new Torque Revolution 4014-T570 Power Set.  This motor is perfectly matched to this airframe, producing 900-1400Watts on 4S-5S lipoly batteries.  Recommended setups for this motor on this airframe are:

4S Lipoly 3400-4400mah 20C battery        APC or XOAR 16x8 or 17x8 prop   

5S Lipoly 3200-3700mah 20C battery        APC or XOAR  14x6 or 14x7 prop

5S Lipoly 3700-4400mah 20C battery        APC or XOAR  14x7 or 15x6 or 15x7 prop

5S Lipoly 3300-3850mah 25C battery        APC or XOAR  14x7 or 15x6 or 15x7 prop  



Construction:

Construction is as simple as it gets with the Extra 300SHP. Wing assembly includes gluing the ailerons to the wings with the provided CA hinges in the already cut-slots.  You then remove the covering over the servo bay, and a small slot in the aileron in which you glue the phenolic aileron control horn.  Bolt in your servo and attached the supplied hardware, and voila! Your done with the wings!



Highslide JS

            Moving onto the fuselage, I took a brand new #11 blade and removed the covering on the fuse covering the wing tube slot, the wing bolt and anti-rotation pin holes, as well as the elevator servo bays, pull-pull exits, and the slot for the horizontal stabilizer.   Once this was done, I squared up the horizontal stab, and glued it in place with epoxy.  While I had the epoxy mixed up, I also attached the steering post of the bottom of the rudder, and then glued the rudder in place with the provided CA hinges. Next up was installing the phenolic horns in the bottom of the elevators, and gluing them in place with CA hinges.   I installed the elevator servos and the corresponding linkages. The rudder servo and pull-pull cables, as well as the tail wheel setup and steering rod.  I did apply a slight dab of lithium grease to the steering tiller bar as it tended to squeak as it moved through the steering post, and it quieted it up immediately.



Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS

The landing gear bolted up with two bolts and a small dab of loctite.  To that I added the axles, wheels, and wheel pants. Something I really like in 3D Hobbyshop's kit was the style of axles that they provided with this model. They got away from the bolt-style axles that are provided with most of the electric kits I have owned. On the Extra 300SHP, they provided miniature versions of giant scale axles with a smooth axel, flange, and a bolt through with locknut style attachment. No more axles vibrating loose at the most in-opportune times!!!  As recommended, I added a few drops of CA to add some extra strength to the gear plate attachment and where the motor box joined the firewall. I then bolted up the motor with the supplied hardware and routed the wires and speed control through the bulkhead and into the fuse.
 

             The cowl was attached with four wood screws, I preferred to substitute #2 allen-head style button heads per my preference while lining up the cowl with the Hyperion Spinner that I got from 3D Hobbyshop.  I attached the wings with the supplied nylon wing bolts, routed the wires, and mounted the Rx and battery Velcro, a quick program in the radio and Bingo! We are flight ready!

 

            Overall construction of this ARF is extremely easy due to the well thought out design and excellent construction. All parts fit perfectly making assembly quite an enjoyable process.  Even while taking pics and documenting the build, I only have just over 5 hours of assembly time from start to finish, including all of the sol

Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS

Flight Performance:

After an uneventful takeoff, a couple clicks of trim, and a few test laps, my first impression was WOW! The 300SHP flew very light and had major control authority. After a few easy flights to start breaking in Flightpower 5S 3700mah battery packs, it was time to unleash the fury!!!!! Ben Fisher from 3D HobbyShop told me that I would have exceptional power to weight ratio with this power system, but I wasn't expecting Rocket Power!!! The overall performance of the power system in conjunction with my Flightpower Lipo's was unbelievable. I would have to estimate my power to weight ratio of close to 2:1 at full power.  Even after a solid workout, the motor, ESC, and battery remained cool.

            I began the aerobatic envelope with some sequence work during the first few flights. Rolls were axial, snaps were crisp and predictable, and rudder authority was excellent for hammers, rollers, and point rolls.   The unbelievable power allowed me to make my figures big and round without having to pinch the top because I was running out of power. Spin entry was excellent allowing me to fly all areas of sequence flight without problems.  The airfoil on the wing and the stab allowed me to show excellent pitch break and anti-rotation on snaps with ease. I knew within the first minute on this airplane that I was going to become comfortable with it immediately.

            After getting a few break-in runs on the batteries, I then kicked it up a notch and explored the 3D envelope with this airplane.  I set this airplane up with my own personal settings for 3D rates and expos, similar to all of my airplanes and I found that they were just about exactly what I wanted. At max throw, rolls were blindingly fast at speed, yet perfect for high alpha rolling harriers. Walls, waterfalls, rolling harriers, harriers, inverted harriers, flat spins, and KE spins were all easily within the realm of this airframe. The wing loading felt so light in all of these maneuvers that there wasn't even the slightest hint of wing rock or tip stall in ANY maneuver that I tried.  Another big plus during the 3D envelope was once again the power system in this airplane. With the Fightpower 5S pack, Torque Motor, and a Xoar 14x
Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS




Conclusion

           3D Hobbyshop has made it easy to get into larger electrics with their 55" Extra 300 SHP.  They have mastered the perfect combination of power, wing loading, and over all design in this size class.  The 300SHP's quality was second to none and a snap to put together, getting you in the air fast with a well thought out design and excellent craftsmanship. If you have been on the thinking about getting into a larger electric but have had some concerns, I am hear to tell you to push those concerns to the wayside and take the leap! Give 3D Hobbyshop a call today and start your path on the way to larger, powerful, clean electric power today with their Extra 300SHP, I promise you that you won't regret it!

 

3D Hobby Shop
603 FM 2093 STE 1601
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Phone: 830-990-6978
www.3dhobbyshop.com
 
Default 3D Hobbyshop Extra 300SHP
3D Hobbyshop Extra 300SHP

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Old 10-12-2007, 11:13 AM   #2 (permalink)
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Default Re: 3D Hobbyshop Extra 300SHP
Excellent review Tank!
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Old 10-12-2007, 11:52 AM   #3 (permalink)
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Default Re: 3D Hobbyshop Extra 300SHP
Great review Tank. In the last year there's been so many *got to have* airframes that have been released around this size. Since I can only afford one at a time, it's reviews like this that help me make up my mind. Thanks.
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Old 10-12-2007, 12:40 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Default Re: 3D Hobbyshop Extra 300SHP
Thanks for doing the review, Tank, great work.

If anyone has any questions, I'll check in on this thread every day for a while and you can always talk to us at the warehouse 1-830-990-6978. Phones are pretty busy right now, so I apologize if it's hard to get through.

Also, we'll be introducing molded carbon-fiber landing gear as an add-on option for this plane in a few weeks. Tank, want to review the LG, too?
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Old 10-12-2007, 12:51 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Default Re: 3D Hobbyshop Extra 300SHP
My son has been flying the 47" version, and an early prototype of the 85" version. Both are exceptional performers.

My son said something about the small version that I thought I would never hear him say: "It has too much elevator control". I can only imagine how well the 55" version flies.

Bob R.
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Old 10-12-2007, 02:23 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Default Re: 3D Hobbyshop Extra 300SHP
I have the 47" Katana and it's a blast! Right now it's my favorite due to it fits in my trunk, performes excellent and flies everywhere! The Torque motor is almost too much! www.3dhobbyshop.com has a repeat customer and can't wait for the 57" to come out.
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Old 10-12-2007, 10:32 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Default Re: 3D Hobbyshop Extra 300SHP
I absolutely love this airplane fellas! Only changes I have made since I started flying it was after the battery was broken in, I changed the prop out to a 15x6 and 15x7Xoar that I got from 3D Hobbyshop, and it added even more power. I have yet to try the 15x6 APC, but the Xoars work awsome, and have a slight "mean" look to them on the ground!!! The only other change I made was increasing my servo arm size from the stockers that came with the HS225MGs. It kicked my throws up big time and I am able to ring it out even more than before. Finding larger servo arms for the 225s was easy, as I openup some boxes for some new 5955s that I have, and yanked some of the stock plastic arms out of those boxes. My charger to charge larger packs recently died on me, and it is killing me not being able to fly this airplane. I can't wait for my charger to come back from repairs! If anyone has any questions regarding my setup, or the airplane in general, don't hesitate to contact me! I hope to have a new video up soon really ringing it out, as I was taking it easy in that first vid while breaking in the battery packs! Thanks again to 3DHobbyShop for giving me the opportunity to review such a great product! Its great to see that have a whole line of 55" airframes coming out!
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Old 10-12-2007, 10:35 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Default Re: 3D Hobbyshop Extra 300SHP
Quote: Originally Posted by 3DHobbyShop
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Thanks for doing the review, Tank, great work.

If anyone has any questions, I'll check in on this thread every day for a while and you can always talk to us at the warehouse 1-830-990-6978. Phones are pretty busy right now, so I apologize if it's hard to get through.

Also, we'll be introducing molded carbon-fiber landing gear as an add-on option for this plane in a few weeks. Tank, want to review the LG, too?
Thanks! I enjoyed doing it! Carbon gear eh?!?!? Bad ass!!!
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Old 10-13-2007, 07:38 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Default Re: 3D Hobbyshop Extra 300SHP
Quote: Originally Posted by crazy4rc
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I have the 47" Katana and it's a blast! Right now it's my favorite due to it fits in my trunk, performes excellent and flies everywhere! The Torque motor is almost too much! www.3dhobbyshop.com has a repeat customer and can't wait for the 57" to come out.
My son Matt had a chance to fly the larger Kat at SEFF earlier this year. He loved it! Absolutely awesome performance from the new Torque motor, it was a rocket!

We just got the small Velox in and I will be getting that together and flying soon. Will have to decide which other plane to pull the gear out of.
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Old 10-13-2007, 08:07 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Default Re: 3D Hobbyshop Extra 300SHP
Very well done review Tank!! There is no doubt that this airplane will redefine the 40 sized electric market. With a finished RTF weight of under 5 lbs. and over a 1000 watts of fun on the prop this airplane is just BALLISTIC!! I am looking forward myself to seeing the carbon fiber landing gear. Just another great feature that Ben is incorporating into an already fantastic airplane.

Great job once again Tank!!

Tim
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Old 11-28-2007, 06:24 AM   #11 (permalink)
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Default Re: 3D Hobbyshop Extra 300SHP
Tank, great review, we too are almost ready to fly ours. Guys, this plane literally is ready to fly in a few hrs. Electric is here, and in our faces fellas.Coming from large Gasoline burning twins..... Boy, we've been missing the boat here, it's a no brainer, and now with all of the R&D, and homework done, folks can just plug, and play, with endless hrs of fun. 3DHS has done all of the "guess-work", that was previously associated with electrics, this insures a "10" on the Fun-Meter.
First class workmanship, and a perfect fit.The wing loading looks to be exceptional, stay tuned for some videos. This series of 55 inch "Super Light Wing Loading" aircraft is a must addition to the electric fleet. A true airfolied tail is a welcome sight, and surely to accent the great flying already demonstrated be Tank! Looks like Ben, and the 3DHS Gang, have raised the bar once again.
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Last edited by Radioactive; 11-28-2007 at 06:56 AM.
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