40% Extra 260: Own-design build thread

[paffy]

	Quote: Originally Posted by dmichael
	Ha! I had a four year head start on the build! It takes me longer to reduce the picture size than anything else! I bailed on the foam ribbed wing because I encountered difficulty cutting the bottom of the wing with my very crappy homemade foam cutting apparatus. I am sure that it would be easy to do with a decent bow that would cut 50-60". The sheer length of the cut makes it difficult for the neophyte foam cutter like myself. I think it would be great to do a 40% wing that way someday. Dave

I remember long time ago (when I was a kid and Sinclair Spektrum 48 was the top of the line PC) somebody showed me how he builds sailplanes - he computer generated the first and last airfoil, made plywood templates, then put bunch of balsa sheets in between and shaped the whole thing to make the whole span worth of ribs. Maybe you could use similar method for making the foam ribs ?

Butt all the blanks together on two rods, sandwich them between the templates and hotwire along the perimeter. You'd be dealing with 7" instead of 60" deep cut ... You could probably make the indents for sparcaps and alignment tabs part of the templates as well.

P.

[dmichael]

OK- we're nearing completion. At this point there's just radio and tank installation. Of course, there are lots of details I never covered but I either didn't have any pics or didn't want to bore you!

Here are some pics of the initial cannister install with the ZDZ 160 Champion. If you have never seen the JMB mufflers here is a picture. They provide no power increase nor require any tuning so they can be installed without a specific length header. In fact, you're better off with a shorter header than a longer one so they work well in tight installations. I have also used and am currently using in a different plane the more traditional type MTW 110K cannister mufflers. These provide some boost and require specific header length. I like both types- but I have noticed that the JMBs produce a deeper rumble (more pleasing) than the MTWs- I perceive these as a bit "tinny".

The JMBs are a few more ounces but have a very cool mounting lug on the end. I am surprised that other manufacturers haven't done the same.

[dmichael]

Installed pics.

[dmichael]

OK- would you believe that this picture was the first time I put the whole thing together?

If you do, I have a bridge to sell you! I am constantly putting my planes together as I am building them. At the end of the building day I might put it together just to see the progress.

[dmichael]

OK- last series of shots for the night. These pics are in my back yard and I have primed and painted the cowl white. Still have to paint the wheelpants, gear and the remaining colors on the cowl. Also have graphics and gear cuffs to put on.

Tomorrow, I'll post the final pics with some shots from the field and in flight.

Please fire away with any questions or comments between now and then.

Thanks-

Dave Michael

[dmichael]

More

[dmichael]

Last of the batch.

Goodnight!

[sweetpea]

Very nice

[dmichael]

Pics from just before the maiden flight.

Who can tell me the name of the person standing in the background of picture #2?

[ibange]

Wow, that is beautiful. I really prefer your design to both the dalton and the carden. The dalton is just too angular and the carden's tail feathers are too small. I dont suppose you would part with a copy of the dxf for this bird? I'd love to scratch out one of these beauties someday.

[TheTank]

	Quote: Originally Posted by dmichael
	Pics from just before the maiden flight. Who can tell me the name of the person standing in the background of picture #2?

hmmm, I see a pony-tail.... Im guessing Paul!

[dmichael]

Tank got it- just a hint of the pony tail gives it away!

ibange- Thanks for the compliment. I am pleased with the way it came out both from a flying standpoint and aesthetically. I would entertain working something out on the plans. As I posted originally, I don't want to get into the kit or plans business but I have had a few guys ask for copies of the plans and it if made sense perhaps a few copies could be made. I would just want to cover my costs, whatever they would be.

Keep in mind that the plans make sense to me- but don't have a lot of detail. The pictures could fill you in. FlyingFoam.com has the wing templates on hand and you could get them directly from them. I can also list sources for the other parts.

The difficult thing is that the plans are hand drawn and in pencil. I would have to figure some way to get them scanned into a file (I have no experience with that) or hard copied.