Dietrich Extra 260 42%

[BAMARC]

All I can say is WOW!!! I got my 42% Dietrich Extra 260 last week & I won't be able to say enough about the plane's quality. It is first class. Since my time is very limited, I will now be able to spend my time flying instead of building thanks to Kevin Dietrich and his "Fast Assembly" 42% Extra 260. I am definitely impressed, so I decided to post my build (I mean put together since everything is already done). I'll be using a 3W-157CS, standard mufflers, JR 8611a servos, Smart-Fly Power Expander Pro & Turbo Regulator, 2-Fromeco 5200mah packs, & a sullivan skywriter smoke system. Also, Bryan Zang of AeroGraphiX has done some outstanding graphics for my 260. Here's a few pictures of my already started progress. I just cut the cowl last night, so it still looks "rough" as I will finish sanding it tonight. I'll post pics as I go along. I plan on the first flight within 2 weeks. More to come.

[Cracky]

Thatsa rudder!!!!

[GremlinX]

That is enormous... meaning that rudder!

[Pro1Foam]

Guess you could say that rudder has to be well hung.

[GMoney]

BAMARC, What do you think about the tank mounts? I added some angle stock to the bottom full length. What do you think about the tail wheel? interesting..

[SLC]

GMoney the tailwheel seemed loose on the bracket , so I modified mine. Take off the steering arm and the wheel bracket falls off. I then took pliers and pulled the
bearing off the spring and reinstalled it from the other side. Take off the lock nut and find a piece of brass tubing to fit over the bolt, turned out to be 3/16 od . Cut
a piece of brass tubing to fit inside the bearing. Drill the steel bearing with 3/16 drill bit. Reassemble by first placing a washer over bolt, then the spring and bearing with the brass tube insert, another washer and the the lock nut which you tighten to take out the play and finally put the steering arm back on.

[GMoney]

EAsy enough, I will give it a shot. Almost tossed but thought run it till it blows then replace it with one of those pretty carbon jobs.

[flybye]

Where could we pick one of these up if one were so inclined

[E-MO]

http://www.dietrichaircraft.com/

[BAMARC]

GMoney,

I am going to do exactly what you did on the tank mount. I'm going to turn the 50oz tank on it's side & I'm putting a DuBro 32oz smoke take beside it----fits perfect, then I'll strap in. Once done I'll post some pics. On the tail wheel, mine worked perfectly so far, but I have a carbon fiber assembly I'm thinking about putting on.

I finished cutting my cowl last night (pics attached). I had to cut several places out for the front of the mufflers to come through alittle & a small opening for the velocity stack to come through alittle also. I also finished installing the wing servos & hopefully tonight will be able to install the linkages.

I'm going to mount the throttle servo/choke servo on the underside of the motor box & use about a 3"-4" rod with nylon ends. I'm using a digital servo for the throttle. Alot of folks have told me a digital servo won't last on the throttle, but as long as you set it up right & set the travel correctly, I've never had a problem & I have super quick throttle response.

For anyone using a 3W-157, when mounting the top blind nuts, you'll have to use your dremel & sand out about half of the triangle stock where they fit in order to get a flat mount. With that, I'm going to cut a piece of aircraft ply that fits across the motor box with a lip that also fits across the back of the firewall & epoxy it in just for extra reinforcement & I'll also use it to mount my ignition battery.

Here's a few more pics of my progress so far. With this being Easter weekend, don't know how much time I'll have to work on it (I'll be hiding eggs ), but I'll post pics as quickly as I can.

[CHUCK]

looks good keep the pic. comeing,I just saw the 50cc 260 last night and it looks awsome aswell

[BAMARC]

All I can say based on my experience is these planes are first class in everyway. Not only that, there's not much needed to finish one. Anyone that is looking to get one, you definitely will not be disappointed. When I unpacked my 260, I had my heat gun out so I could tighten up the ultracoat, but there was not one wrinkle in mine. Kevin has designed the best ARF available today & he will do anything to help you out (as I called him about everyday for the last week asking questions). Kevin also saved me alot of other shipping costs as I bought all the additional items I needed to finish it (all HD extensions, Fromeco batteries, 5" Tru-Turn ultimate pre-cut spinner, etc) from him.

Hopefully I'll have some more work progress pics to post tomorrow !!!!!!!!!

[JimC-MD]

I have it's little brother on the table right now. I am very happy with mine as well, James. I hope to have the installation of electronics complete this evening. Too bad our weather went to hades in a hand basket for the rest of the week.........

[Ernsbarger]

Hey Bubba, after seeing your build it sounds like the plane for me. Now all we have to do is to talk the wife intoletting me buy the DA-150/170. It also looks like I'm going to have to measure the inside dimensions of my trailer. To many toys.

[BAMARC]

Hey Bob,

I know your're going to love it!!! You might as well go ahead & order your motor cause you won't be able to stand it once you get it !!!!!

I did a few things today. I got the throttle & choke servo mounted & hooked up (pics below). I also decided to mount the GraphTech carbon fiber tail wheel I had just because I had it! I'm going to try to do alittle on it tomorrow as I know Sunday is booked !!! It will probably be Monday before I have time to post more pics.
(My computer is slow today so it will be Monday before I can post pics)