Composite-ARF Extra 260 3m Build

[eagle1]

Yes Tex all the horns are pre-glued at the factory, I think that part should be left to me but lets see how they work out in the end.

[eagle1]

I desided to go ahead and mount the cowl( we'll see if this bits me later)I first started out with a light sand around the outer edge, first fit looked good but as I centered it more it became aparent that I needed to sand the left side of the top of the cowl, in some places almost 3/8 in.
But after sanding and checking I was pleased with the fit so I drilled the first hole in the bottom cowl first and in stalled the 3m bolt went to the other side and did the same.
drill a hole install bolt move to other side and do the same until I had all but 2 bolts that I need to take the cowl off to get to them properly.
next I have to remove all the bolts and sand the inside fuse and cowl drill last two holes and glue all blind nuts in place.
I know that the standard bolts are ugly and I have some button head bolts just for the cowl just don't know if I have enough or if I have to order more

[eagle1]

don't know what happened to the fifth pic

[eagle1]

I justed finished epoxying all the blind nuts into the fuse and I think that will be all the building for today, I will do some more this afternoon(3:10am here)epoxying in a mirror is the pits

[eagle1]

I drillied the last hole for the side bolts and the clearance holes for the blind nut on the side of the motor dome, Then I pulled the cowling off in one piece and one by one I removed each bolt and sanded the cowling , replacing the bolts as I go, mix up some epoxy milled glass and micro balloons, glued all the blind nuts to the inside bottom half of the cowl

[Extra260]

Your movin along, Looks good so far. Those blind nuts seem to be done well.

[eagle1]

Then it was time for the dreaded canopy, I guess I am getting better at this because this one went on with no difficulties and went pretty smooth, I took the frame off the plane for the first time and laid the canopy on the fuse and then I unwrapped the canopy,inspectted the quality,very nice,
made the first cuts to get the flashing and backbone off, laid on the frame marked it and made another cut,laid it back on the frame and again marked and cut, took the frame off taped the inside edges of the frame as not to scratch the canopy while I do the final fit, made two more cuts,took all the tape off the canopy replaced it with several handles made from duct tape, much easier than masking tape,
bolted the frame back on the fuse then sqeeze the canopy to drop it in the frame, pulled it in position and tac glued froom the outside with ca and worked my way around, took the frame off and mixed up some resin, micro-ball, and milled glass to seal the inside edge of the canopy to the canopy frame.
I am waiting on the glu to dry then I will either do the elev, or the engine and cans, enough for today not much will get done during the week unless I do not go out. hope not but !another way to put the canopy in is to install one side and roll the canopy into the frame, works well and will not scratch the canopy. Mine looks good so far..more to come

[eagle1]

Thanks Extra this is the third bird from Comp. that I have done and I just try to make it look good well try anyway

[eagle1]

lazyboy where did you put your rudder servos and how did you mount them?
I am going to use the tray they provide.
Reading up on the instructions they say to do the elevators next, the good thing about this plane there are no counterbalances to balance out, next comes the rudder and servo mounting, after that is says to go to the wings then the engine and cans, I might go ahead and mount the engine but I think I will do the rubber just to have the weight in the fuse to help hold down the thing while I mount the engine...DA-150 on mtw cans and headers, with smoke.
I have only made one mistake, on the fuse they mold an dimple for the blind nuts on the back edge of the cowl, I put the top hole on the bottom half in that divit so when you tighten the bolt then cowl pulls in but not to worry I will add a filler block there for the bolt and cowl to tighten against.(I am only human and put the hole in the best spot I could for less vibration, but with life comes experience

[brownj]

Subscribed.

[eagle1]

welcome
I think I will go ahead with the rudder servo tray installation just because I have to go and buy a long screw driver to install the servos in the elev.
second hardest thing to do other than the canopy is get the holes just right without making them too big first plane I went per the directions and that mark was off a 1/4 in. second plane I did my method and got them on the money

[lazyboyflyer]

I mounted the tray to the back of the gear plate, under the tank. I'll see if I have a picture to show you.

[lazyboyflyer]

OK, here is a couple pictures.

[skymaster68]

Hey nice sheme, mine is floating down to Chile now ( by ship)
Extra 260 did you maiden your already?? how did it go any pics video for us to see???

[eagle1]

thanks, I was checking out the rudder tray they provide doing a test fit and only had the 2 end pieces and for the life of me I could not find the rest, laid the parts down to think and just happened to look at the cut outs and there they were.
Just goes to show you that I need to go to bed before I fowl something up. so no build today