Probuilt (Wild Hare) 28% Extra 300LX

[RustyTumbles]

Well here we go again.

I wasn't going to do another build thread just yet, but I enjoy reading and writing them so I thought why the hell not.

The new project is a Probuilt (Wild Hare) 28% Extra 300LX. The kit is the same as a Wild Hare, but in Australia we have a dealer who imports them from the same builder as wild hare. Mine is one of the older ones as all the new ones coming to Australia have new colour scemes and they can no longer be sold in the same colour scemes as Wild Hare. So this ARF is not atcually a Wild Hare kit but is essentially identical.

I hope that makes sense to everyone.

[RustyTumbles]

Ok lets start with the intended setup:

Power:
DA50
MTW 75 Canister and header
4.8V 1100mAh for ignition
Bolly Wood 22x8 for Break-in

Radio:
Hitec 5945 on Rudder
Hitec 5945 on Elevators
Hitec 5645 on Ailerons
JR 811 on Throttle
Setco kill switch
JR R900 PCM rx
JR matchbox for Elevator halves
Powerbox sensor switch
Sanyo 2300mAh 6V Nimh x2 For RX

Hardware:
????????????

Hardware I have not decided on yet. As the kit does not come with any hardware I am open for suggestion here.

[RustyTumbles]

Ok I pulled everything out of the box and checked it over. I must say I am very impressed. The packaging is excellent and there was no damage on the airframe at all. The only thing that I noticed was the canopy is not quite symetrical. It was packed on its side and one side has drooped a little bit but it straightens out when placed on the canopy frame. So no big deal.

The airframe in general looks to be built very well. There is plenty of bracing and seems to be very solid but still light. I did a trial fit of the stabs and stab tube. All is tight and free of slop. Wing tube has a tiny bit of slop in it through the fuse, but should be easily taken out with a layer of clear tape. But I'll get to that later.

Covering is awesome, no wrinkles to speak of the only thing I noticed was a couple of loose spots were the hinge holes have been drilled. (all control surfaces are pre-drilled for robart hinge points) Running the iron over them should fix it up no problems at all. Thats about it for now.

Here's some pics.

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[RustyTumbles]

Some more:

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[RustyTumbles]

Still More:

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[RustyTumbles]

And the power plant:

Love me DA

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[RustyTumbles]

I finally pulled my finger out today and started on the extra. Went around all the joints I could reach and put some thin CA down. Also added some more tri stock in and around the engine box as it doesn't seem to have alot of bracing. I was going to pin the firewall but they have used a tab and slot setup so it isn't really required.

Once that was done I turned to the instructions and engine mounting is first up. This is were I realised I need 3 inch standoff for the DA. I just got the standard ones so I'll be ordering some 3inch ones on monday. The cowling is pre-mounted so there is now way the neatly adjust the distance from firewall to the front of the cowling.

Since I can't mount the engine yet I moved on to the cut-outs for the canister. This is fairly simple. I needed to open up the hole in the front former to allow the can to slide into the fuse. A couple of cuts with a small hacksaw and some sanding had the cutout done in no time. I also needed to cut a small piece out of the second former to clear the can. This will also be where the canister mount will be located, so you need to keep enough material to be able to glue this in later. Once again a couple of cuts and some sanding had the can sitting nicely inside the fuse. This is as far as I can go until I get the engine and the header pipe mounted. Then it will be a matter of working out the required header length and final positioning of the can.

My camera battery is flat at the moment so I'll tke some pics and post them later.

This is my first canister install so if anyone has any hints or tips please let me know.

[excelpoint]

Nice Rusty. Keep it commin mate.

[LawnJockey]

Rusty,
Good looking plane. That looks like some of the earlier 300LX. Run some epoxy around the aileron servo area. This is a known weak spot. Mine with a BME 50 adn a J&A Muffler weighs in at 18lbs. But flies so light and so nice. I am going to be changing props to a 21-8 now that the engine is broke in.
I never had to add much to the plane, bracing wise. Enjoy it.

[sl1200mk2]

Nice! Thank you for the build thread... I really enjoy these.

- Wayne

[Redneck Shaun]

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Man I love the looks of these planes. I have been flying the extra special for about a year now.Awesome plane.I also have a da-50 in mine and it does a fine job of powering the plane.

I really feel sorry for Wild Hare though. I can't believe a builder would sell planes that was exclusively created for one company (Wild Hare), to another seller after agreeing to supply ONLY Wild Hare. I mean, with all the planning and the R&D that Tom went through to get these planes to where they are right now.And then the builder does that. That has to be a kick in the gut for Tom at Wild Hare. He certainly doesn't deserve that.

Rusty,
I never do get enough of these planes. You're doing a great job on the build thread!!
RS

[RustyTumbles]

Yeah I do feel sorry for tom and I have told him that too. But it would cost $300-400 Ozzie dollars more to import a true wild hare. So obviously most will go for the cheaper option. The newer probuilt model now have different colour scemes and sport the probuilt logo not the wild hare logo.

Thankyou for your kind comments, I'm glad to hear that it is a great flying model.