Rob's GP Extra 330L build thread

[Rob B]

Ok, i'm getting close to being done with the engine install. It's taking a while because I constantly have to stop to ask questions. This being my first big plane, That can be expected. More pics to come soon............

[king160woody]

nice, i want to see some vids. rob

[STR8HUCKIN]

Make sure that you have a pressure release in the bottom of the tail ( a hole in the monokote that you can seal ) because ive see canopies simply blow right off from airpressure inside when there are holes in the engine box.

[STR8HUCKIN]

Also with your motor at that angle Im not sure that you can duct it so make sure you cut ALOT out of the bottom of the cowl

[Rob B]

The holes are in the motor box for airflow to the carb which is inside the motor box. And the motor box is sealed off from the rest of the plane, so no problems there. I mounted the engine on an angle so the pipe would line up with center of fuselage. I know, I have alot to learn with the big planes, this is my first one. But learning quickly. J Zaretsky talked me through the pipe installation(thanks dude), and i'm still not done completely with the motor work, need to install servos for choke and throttle, and do some fuel proofing in the engine box. Man, its alot of work building a 33%

[SleepyC]

More pictures dude!!!
I'm only like 10% done compare to you !!!
Think how I feel seeing yours all dressed up!!

PS: Feel like covering another one!
Your looks GOOD!!!

[Rob B]

Thanks sleepy. I've been following your progress, definately looking good. I was happy to be finished with the woodwork part of the kit, i'm sure your looking foward to being done with that also. Just make sure you order ALOT of covering!!

[SleepyC]

I hear ya...

I can't wait to get to the FUSE. I like building Fuses... thats where it starts to feel BIG!

I hate building wings....

Although it seems like the wings may go together a bit easier than I expected...
(watch the wing will look like a lacross scoope when I'm dinished!)

Yea I have to decide on a covering scheme... or instead of looking or working hard...
I'll just steal yours!

[crazyextra]

been thinking about picking up one of these kits since their soo cheap, I just wish I was a better builder, how'd you guys find the building process? fairly straightfoward? or hard as hell?

[SleepyC]

Well heres the thing... I think ROB said this before. ANd I'll say it again.
The KIT is cheap you can get them around $250 or less. But I didn't consider...
$150+ dollars in glue (this ain't no giant piece of jig sawed laser cut wood... lots and lots and lots of small joints!!!)
$150 in hardware
$150 in covering
$100 in crap you will need to actually complete the build properly.

I'm enjoying doing it, and if you follow the instructions it seems like its not too difficult a build (so far)

But the only advantage over an ARF is the fact you know whats been glued where. I actually think an ARF is one HELL of a deal after starting this build!

ROB - How mucg do you think you have tied into your beast so far??

[STR8HUCKIN]

That thing is coming out suuweeeet!!!

[Rob B]

lets see,
$320.00 for kit
$110.00 glue/epoxy
$100.00 horns/linkages
$50.00 nuts and bolts
$200.00 monokote and paint
$50.00 wheels and tailwheel bracket
Thats somewhere around $830.00 to get plane to the arf level
And i left alot of things out like exacto blades, like lots of exacto blades. Then the labor cost, which is TOTALLY not computable, I lost track after 100 hours. You could never get paid for your labor in this game, so dont even bother adding it in. Adding in your time to build+the $830.00, this is by far the most expensive way to get in the air, but I Loooooooove it!

[crazyextra]

well, that is pretty pricey, but not bad compared to other kits of this size, I've seen other manufacturers sell kits this size for plenty more

[SleepyC]

Yea.. no doubt the kit is cheaper than other kits.
All I was trying to say is... make sure your "Building" a kit because you want the enjoyment of building, if your building to "save" money over an ARF..... it's actually More expensive to build!!!

You can get a 34% ARF extra for like $500 out the door........ so .... see what I'm saying!

[Rob B]

Yes, and you don't have to build it! I have a new respect for the price of big scale arf's, amazing we can get them for so little money.