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Ilsan Extra 300s ARF
By Klaus
Weiss............reviewed 05/97
Heathcote
Soaring League
Flying
This is the important part of any review and is usually the
shortest, but if it flies well and performs all that is asked of
it, what more is there to say. Do a pre-flight check of the
model, making sure everything moves in the right direction and
all is secure, then range check the radio with the engine
running at high and low revs and top up the fuel. No more
excuses.
The Extra was struggling through the long grass of the field,
so the wheel pants were removed, which made things a little
easier. Throttle up, standing behind the model to see how much
rudder control is required to track straight, and away it goes.
The model wanted to veer right slightly on initial acceleration,
but as soon as the tail wheel came up, it tracked straight down
the runway.
The Extra lifted off on its own accord after about 50m and a
gentle climb out and left turn had it ready to set up the
circuit. A few minor trim adjustments and three quarter throttle
had the model flying almost hands off. The stick was pushed
forward and the O.S. .46 came on song, screaming across the sky.
High speed passes with rolls in the climb out looked terrific
and the response to controls was very positive. The O.S. engine
has sufficient power to pull this Extra around, and a bit to
spare. Low speed stalls are straight ahead and the Extra just
mushes along until flying speed builds up again. I always
balance my models laterally, so that the wings will not tip it
one way or the other, and this certainly helps when flying at
low speed.
The Extra has a very good glide ratio, so explore this in
case you have a dead stick landing. Landing is straightforward
as you control the descent rate with throttle and elevator. Keep
it in line with rudder and ailerons and fly it in slow. There is
no need to come in hot, as the response is solid throughout the
speed range. The Extra 300s can bounce on landing, due in part
to the stiff undercarriage, so practise the landings until you
can flare it in, just inches from the ground.
Aerobatics are what this model is about, and it is capable of
a large range of manoeuvres, more than I can accomplish at any
rate. Loops, spins, inverted, knife edge, split 's' etc are all
easy to do with this model. Snap rolls are a breeze,
particularly on high rates, and the Extra recovers as soon as
you release the input.
In all, this model flies as though on rails and will handle
any manoeuvre I can do, and more besides. It is easy to see why
the Extra 300s is such a popular aeroplane, both in full size
and versions. It is an aerobatic thoroughbred, yet can be flown
docile enough for the novice pilot to feel comfortable. For the
pilot who has graduated from a trainer, and wants a little extra
(no pun intended), or the expert who wants a bit of fun, the
quick building time of the Ilsan Extra 300s and its moderate
cost, represents pretty good value.
The Extra 300s is distributed by Model Engines, 44 Downing
St, Oakleigh, Victoria 3166. SPECIFICATIONS. EXTRA 300S SPORTS
SCALE 20% AEROBATIC ARF. WINGSPAN: 1480mm (58.3") WING
AREA: 596 sq.ins FUSELAGE: 1206mm (47.5") WEIGHT:
2.7kg-3.1kg (6lbs - 6.8lbs) ENGINE: .45 - .60 two stroke (.70 -
.90 four stroke) RADIO: 4 channel (used- JR 388S 8 channel
computer - 511 servos)
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