DALTON AVIATION 42% EXTRA 260 BUILD

[SuperDave]

About a month ago I decided I wanted to build a 40% kit. I’ve had several 40% ARF planes I’ve flown in IMAC and thought a kit would be a cool change of pace. I have built several kits up to 50cc size and thought it can’t be MUCH different to do it on a bigger scale. I spent a long time deciding which plane to build…

Some of you may have seen my post on FG asking if anyone had a 40% kit lying around they might like to sell. Well, I had a couple of responses but they just weren’t what I was looking for. Most were already started and I wanted complete ownership of the construction. Just about the time I was going to make a kit order for a different plane, Tony Russo sent me a PM and told me about his kit. I called him and we discussed some of my concerns with his particular kit as it related to my skill level and shop equipment. You see, I’ve never sheeted foam wings. I have built several kits where the wings and foam parts come pre-sheeted. He assured me it is not as hard as it looks and I should give it a shot. I really like the looks of the plane, so I decided to go with a DALTON AVIATION EXTRA 260.

Further discussions with Tony brought about an idea for build thread here on FG. He wants to prove to the world kit building, especially this beautiful laser cut kit, is not a thing of the past reserved for expert builders. Instead, I’m setting out to PROVE that a builder of average experience and average shop equipment can put together this beautiful, bad-ass bird.

On with the thread!

[SuperDave]

The box sitting on my porch was an awesome sight! DHL delivered the kit without one ding on the box. Tony shipped me everything but the cowling, pants and canopy. They will come later. I brought in the box to examine the beast. The packing job was exceptional. Not one part was damaged. The plans are really nice.

[SuperDave]

Before I could think about beginning the project I had to clean and organize the shop/garage. That took about 4 hours and a trip to the dump. Since this is a project that will require time in the garage I invested in a fiancé’ entertainment area to keep the peace (I highly recommend it!). She’s a gamer so I bought her a TV, chair, X Box 360 to go along with the X Box she already has. Things should be good!

As far as construction goes, I had to get a table to use for assemble. My idea was actually to have two tables so I may sheet wings and foam parts while the fuselage goes together on the other table. I have two 3X6 folding tables, so I went to Home Depot and got two of my old standard building surfaces…. 6’8” X 30” hollow core doors. They are pretty close if not perfectly flat. I placed those on the folding tables and unpacked the kit.

As you can see, the parts are neatly taped together in groups making the easily identifiable. I ran through the inventory, collapsed the box and got ready to sling some glue.

[SuperDave]

My plan is to use all the adhesives Tony recommends in the manual. Titebond Original Wood Glue mostly for the fuse and Gorilla Glue for gluing to balsa to foam.

I started with the fuselage main structure. So far so good. This stem took only two hours! I was floored. This looks pretty good for so little time. Make sure to trial fit the parts together before glue is applied. I was a little ham-handed and cracked some of the wood in some very small places, but that was my own fault. Realize the glue becomes a lubricant and the parts fit together a lot easier when you go in for the kill and put on the glue. This was day 1 (2 HRS)

[SuperDave]

Ahhh, what a lovely Sunday morning. Think I’ll head out to the garage to just admire the work before breakfast… WRONG! I couldn’t just stand there. Where’s my glue?!??!?! In just 45 minutes I had all the formers doubled and the aft stab support structure put together and clamped. OK, now breakfast! (45 MIN)

[ben_beyer]

Sweet! What engine are you going with?

[SuperDave]

	Quote: Originally Posted by ben_beyer
	Sweet! What engine are you going with?

Undecided. I have experience with a few but considering all options.

[Benji]

looking good man, keep them coming..

[Sukhoikid]

Its hard to believe that my granddad and I started on mine a year ago. Your going to enjoy building this kit. Good Luck!!!!

[selwyn]

I'm going to be following this all the way...I have recently received the 35% from Tony, and also hope to start soon. Keep up with the good progress.

[Marty]

I'm saving up money for 100cc IMAC plane and I've been thinking about the 35%er of this kit. Let me know how it builds.

[snap a saurus]

I will be following this thread as Tony is going to build the Kit that I won at the Huckfest.
Good luck.