Al's Hobbies Gallery :: Al's Comp-ARF Extra 260

Brand new to Al is this 40% SCALE Extra 260. During this season Al found himself short of flying hours with the aerobatic/3d type model. Being that this is a style of flying that requires constant practice to keep current on this was not an ideal situation to be in.

An email to Mark Schroder had Ali sold on the latest offering from composite-arf. The all new Extra 260. Al was familiar with this range of models as he was the original rep for the UK, and he knew of their pedigree. The Extra 260 at 3 meter span is the newest edition to the fleet and was designed to be the ultimate blend between 3d performance and precise flying. This suited Al’s demands well as he was tending to steer away from out and out 3d flight. Not only did Mark supply the model he also built it for Al, in a short time span as well. Al collected this model the evening before heading to the Cosford LMA show. Al conducted the test flight after the show had finished on the Saturday evening, and from flight number 1 it was obvious that the Extra had massive potential.

The model is fitted with a DA150 Twin cylinder 150cc 18 hp engine. What sets this engine apart from the other petrol engines is the way it is crafted. Stunning precision engineering is used in all the DA engines and they supply engines only to the RC model market of the highest quality. No adapted strimmer or industrial use engines come out the DA factory. Al has fitted two stainless steel Zimmerman mufflers. Through years of use Al has found these to be far superior to any Aluminum muffler available. A lot quieter, more rugged and tuned for a better throttle response the Zimmerman’s are the rolls Royce of the muffler world. JR 8511 servos are used through out this model. Two per aileron two per elevator half and four on the rudder ensure that no mater what the speed or the attitude of the model 100% control authority is retained at all times.

A single JR PCM Synthesized 10 channel receiver is used with Als trusty MX22 providing the guidance. Al of the electronics in the model go through Al’s tried and tested Powerbox set up. This model weighs in at 36lbs which with the DA 150 up front gives unlimited vertical that has to been seen to be believed. Another Unique aspect of the 260 is it’s stunning roll rate. As part of Als demo he fly’s an entire section of the routine while rolling at some 600 degrees per second. Something that has to be seen and heard to be appreciated.

As with most of Al’s display models everything in this model is available from Al’s Hobbies. We can even equip you with a ready to fly turn key example of this fine aerobatic model if you so desire. Any questions please feel free to contact Al and ask.
Either via email: jets@alshobbies.com
Or by phone : 0208 500 0099

Thanks to Vic Blackwood and Volkan Dil for these stunning photos.

Al gives a scale while showing off the top view of the 260.

Proud owner and his machine. The model that managed to get Al fired up about 3D flying again.

Underside view just waiting for Sponsorship stickers????

A Volkan Dil Atmospheric rear 3/4 shot as only he does.

Each elevator half is powered by 2x JR 8511's. The only servo that Al would trust for a job like this!

What has to be the world’s most expensive Tail wheel. An import from the U.S that gained a little value through customs :(

Side show showing the down elevator travel. In fact this is only about 95% of the overall travel. With the servos driving them the elevators deflect even further!!!

A few stickers from the chosen manufactures. Remember Al is not sponsored in anyway so he can use what he chooses, and his happy with the equipment he flies with.

Al just loves a JR Sticker

Also the most expensive spinner in the world!!! Lesson learned on importing stuff from the U.S

Top cowl removed to show the beautiful DA 150. Looking as though it was made just for show and has never been run. This has to be the sweetest bit of engineering commercially available.

A close up of engine fitment. Neat work by Mark Schroder

One more up front. Showing how the plane was designed around the fit of a DA150

Under wing view of the single aileron servo output arm. Under that wing skin lays 2 JR 8511's Anyone who has seen the stunning roll rate of the 260 will testify to the awesome power that these servos and this set up provides

A 50 oz Dubro tank fits perfectly above the centre of Gravity. The Chunky Extra fuselage would happily accommodate another 50 oz tank for smoke.

Two Zimmerman mufflers show signs of how strong they are. The dents you can see are damage sustained after two of the 6 volt sub c batteries came loose in flight and beat their way around inside the fuselage. For sure Aluminum mufflers would not have taken this sort of punishment and carried on working.

4x JR 8511's Yes that’s 60kg of rudder power and this model needs every last bit. It is always amazing how much people underestimate the load on a rudder in some maneuvers.

Exiting a knife edge loop. You can see how pure this model is. Even at this high an alpha knife edge there is little to no cross control inputs on aileron or elevator.

Just after the half way point in a slow roll. A truley versatile model, the 260 excels at precison aerobatics just as well as it does extream 3D flight

Caught upright in a harrier rolling curcuit. The painted in the mold factory scheme standsout well in any sky.

Hi alpha at the bottom of a descending knife edge. 60 kg of pull on that rudder ensure no rudder blow back no mater what the speed or the defecltion of that huge rudder

Working his way round a harrier curcuit down on the deck. Little to no wing rock both upright and inverted make this model a solid performer and a surprising favourite for Al

One of the rare moments during Al's 8 min routine where the 260 is straight and level. Most probably lining up for a high speed extreame wall!

To finish the flight Al descends low inverted, kills the ignition to the DA150 and rolls out at the last minute. A dramatic finally to a dramatic routine!