Plane Talk: Hangar 9 27% Extra 260 ARF-2007/12

60 MODEL AVIATION
BY JEFF TROY
Plane Talk: Hangar 9 27% Extra 260 ARF
With the Saito 2.20 four-stroke engine
for power, the Extra 260 cruises at just
above half throttle.
Minimal mixing is required to hold the Extra
on knife edge. No special programming is
required, as the author notes.
The Extra 260’s midwing design is the
preferred layout for precision and 3-D
aerobatic pilots.
HANGAR 9 HAS produced several ARFs that Mike McConville, an
acclaimed RC pilot, has designed. The Extra 260 is one of several
McConville aircraft for multistyle aerobatics. It can handle precision
Scale Aerobatics flying with ease and is ideal for visually stunning 3-D
aerobatics. This model is extremely nice and goes together quickly.
The 260 is approximately 90% factory-built. Primary airframe
components are of conventional laser-cut balsa-and-light plywood
construction with an almost countless number of lightening holes.
Each of those major components comes expertly covered in Hangar
9 UltraCote. A factory-painted fiberglass cowl and wheel pants
complement the three-color UltraCote trim scheme. All parts and
accessories are of exceptionally high quality.
Thanks to individual wing panels and removable horizontal
stabilizers, no epoxy center joints or dihedral braces are required. That
helps prepare the Extra 260 to finish quickly.
Construction: Assembly begins with hinging the ailerons, and Hangar
9 provided a nice set of heavy-duty point-type hinges to handle the task.
I used Hangar 9 30-minute epoxy for this procedure; it gave me time to
align the hinge barrels and correctly position a control surface against
the appropriate flying surface before the adhesive began to cure.
I have found that the easiest way to assure drag-free point-hinge
installation is to apply the adhesive, insert the pointed hinges in the
flying surface, and then fit the control surface to the exposed opposite
points.
When the surfaces are correctly aligned I deflect the control surface
up and down several times to line up the hinge barrels and then allow
the adhesive to cure overnight. I sealed my hinge gaps with Dave
Brown Products’ Trimseal.
I chose the recommended JR 8231 digital servos for aileron control,
although I replaced them later with JR 8611 servos because they had
more power. Each aileron servo got a 12-inch extension before
installation, and I used a 1-inch length of 1/2-inch-diameter heat-shrink
tubing to lock the extensions onto the servo leads.
I used a weighted length of string to thread the servo lead through
each wing panel. The servo bays required no cutting or trimming to
accommodate the JR servos.
I am impressed with the Extra’s control horns. An 8-32 x 21/2-inch
screw was inserted through each aileron’s upper surface and captured at
the underside with a flanged hex nut. A molded swivel link threaded onto
the end of the screw, and the link accepted the 4-40 threaded end of the
pushrod. Be sure to assemble these parts with thread-locking compound.
A midwing sport-scale aircraft for advanced
Pattern and 3-D aerobatics
Mike McConville designed the Extra 260 to be lightweight and potent regardless of the power plant the builder chooses.
December 2007 61
Photos by the author
The wing and stabilizers assemble onto the fuselage with aluminum
tubes for support. Incidence angles are set at the factory.
Removing the large hatch reveals the location of the receiver
and battery, just in front of the rudder servo.
The plywood framework is lightweight. The
forward structure ties the engine mount,
landing gear, and wing into a sturdy unit.
The Saito 2.20 fits best mounted sideways on the plywood engine box. The aluminum
engine rails are adjustable to suit any glow-engine application.
Ball-link hardware and pull-pull linkages are included. A location in the tail is reserved
in case the builder prefers the rudder servo to be farther aft.
The single JR DS8231 digital servo is
more than enough for the large ailerons
on the aircraft.
62 MODEL AVIATION
The trim lines of the UltraCote finish
aligned perfectly with the fuelproof
painted cowl.
The Extra’s carbon-fiber landing gear is
strong and light.
There’s one servo per elevator control
surface—six servos total.
Pluses and Minuses
+
• Light yet rugged construction
• Rapid bench assembly
• Quick field setup and teardown
• Agile flight performance
-• None
Test-Model Details
Specifications
Pilot skill level: Intermediate to
expert
Wingspan: 78.25 inches
Wing area: 1,134 square inches
Length: 71.25 inches
Weight: 12.0-15.5 pounds
Recommended engine: 1.20-2.10
cu. in. displacement (cid) two-stroke,
1.50-2.20 cid four-stroke, 35-50cc gas
Radio: Four channels with six servos
Construction materials: Balsa, light
plywood (Italian poplar), plywood,
fiberglass cowl, fiberglass wheel pants
Price: $379.99
Engine used: Saito FA-2.20 fourstroke
Propeller: Menz 19 x 8
Fuel: 15% nitromethane, 18% oil,
20-ounce tank
Radio system: JR XP9303
transmitter; JR nine-channel PCM
receiver; JR 537 throttle servo; JR
DS8611A rudder servo; two JR
DS8231 aileron servos; two JR
DS8231 elevator servos; 4.8-volt,
3000 mAh receiver battery; two 12-
inch aileron extensions; two 18-inch
elevator extensions; two 6-inch
receiver extensions to ailerons
Ready-to-fly weight: 15 pounds
Flight Duration: Exceeds 10 minutes
Additional Equipment Used
Rudder arm: Hangar 9 3D XL Full Servo
Arm 4-40: JR (item HAN3576)
Elevator and aileron arms (four): Hangar 9
3D XL 1/2 Servo Arm 4-40: JR (item
HAN3578)
Du-Bro Exhaust Deflector for .35-.90
Engines (item 697)
Great Planes Easy Fueler Fuel Filler Valve
(item GPMQ4160)
Sullivan Products remote glow plug (item
M021)
Dave Brown Products Trimseal Clear
Control Surface Sealing Material (item
TMSL-5250)
Tru-Turn 31/4-inch Ultimate two-blade
spinner (item TT-3232-B-120)
Tru-Turn 8 x 1.25mm adapter kit (item
TT-0823-A)
Cajun R/C Specialties 33% sport pilot bust
Hangar 9 six-minute quick-set formula
epoxy (item HAN8000)
Hangar 9 30-minute quick-set formula
epoxy (item HAN8002)
Pacer ZAP Thin CA (1-ounce bottle)
December 2007 63
The opposite end of the rod was also threaded, and it fit into a
ball link that secured to the aileron servo arm. I chose the
recommended Hangar 9 anodized aluminum arms, which look
great while increasing the amount of available throw for the
control surfaces.
The wing panels fit onto the fuselage over an aluminum tube,
and alignment pins toward the rear of the root rib fit into holes in
the fuselage to assure that the panels maintain the correct angle
of attack. Each panel is held securely with a 1/4-20 nylon
thumbscrew, making setup and teardown at the field a twominute
quickie.
The horizontal stabilizers are also removable, and they are
almost a complete repop of the wing-panel assembly, except that
the elevator servos ride in bays at the rear of the fuselage sides
instead of in the flying surfaces. An 18-inch extension is required
for each elevator servo.
The rudder linkage is pull-pull, and it sets up nicely with the
infinitely adjustable hardware provided in the kit. My servo
choice was the JR DS8611A digital with a full-length Hangar 9
anodized arm fitted to the output shaft. The carbon-fiber tailwheel
assembly mounts under the rear of the fuselage and uses a
pair of springs to connect the tiller arms to the steering yoke on
the lower edge of the rudder.
Hangar 9 provided a heavy-duty, one-piece, painted carbonfiber
landing-gear assembly and 4-inch wheels for the Extra 260.
These were complemented by a pair of factory-painted fiberglass
wheel pants, which secured to the gear legs with the axle lock
nut and 4-40 socket-head capscrew.
The airplane’s front end could accommodate a number of
power options, from a 1.20 two-stroke glow engine to a 50cc
gasoline power plant and anything in between. I chose the new
Saito 2.20 four-stroke to power my Extra.
At the time the Saito 2.20 was the largest single-cylinder
four-stroke available. It starts easily, runs smoothly, and
produces plenty of power for advanced aerobatics.
Hangar 9 supplied a mount in the 260 kit, and I added a
standard JR 537 servo for throttle control. I also used an Easy
Fueler quick-fueling valve from Great Planes and a remote glow
driver from Sullivan Products. Those two extras allowed me to
access the fuel tank and get light to the engine under that huge
fiberglass cowl.
The Extra’s final assembly involved the fuel tank, fiberglass
cowl, and tinted canopy. Little trimming was required for the
Saito, and I chose a 1/3-scale, factory-painted sport pilot bust
from Cajun R/C to “drive” my Extra. The last steps before flight
were to set the control-surface throws and radio programming,
set the correct CG, and charge the RC system.
Flying the Extra was a kick and a half. I fueled the Saito with
Byron’s 15%-nitro fuel (18% oil), connected my Du-Bro glow
driver, and gave the Tru-Turn 31/4-inch Ultimate spinner a hit
with my Sullivan Megatron starter. The 2.20 fired instantly and
took only a tweak or two to set perfectly.
Pointing the nose into the wind, I powered up, lifted the tail,
and the model gently broke ground. The Extra climbs like a
bandit on the Saito 2.20. Vertical performance is excellent, and
this airplane is capable of anything I can ask for—and much
more.
I performed the rudimentary routine of rolls, loops, inverted
flight, and Split “S” turns. Then I handed the JR XP9303
transmitter to my friend, Brandon Wright, who wrung out the
airplane for the camera and everyone at the flying site.
Spanning slightly more than 76 inches, Hangar 9’s Extra 260
is large. It’s an extremely stable sport flier, yet it can easily
perform any known precision aerobatics schedule or 3-D
maneuver in a capable pilot’s hands. Landings are predictable,
and the airplane exhibits no tendency to drop a tip at low speed.
You can almost bring this one in like a trainer.
Saito 2.20 Four-Stroke
Saito’s FA-220A weighs 42 ounces and
turns 1,900-10,000 rpm with a 17 x 12-20 x
8 propeller. The benchmark is 8,100 rpm
with an APC 19 x 8 propeller.
Complete with Saito’s three-year
warranty from Horizon Hobby, this huge
single-cylinder engine features a swivel
muffler for optimum fitting, a chrome-plated
cylinder, and a new head design for improved
airflow.
Hangar 9 provides a sturdy, adjustable
aluminum engine mount to accommodate all
appropriate glow engines. Side-mounting the
big FA-220A gets the engine inside the cowl
and keeps the cylinder in the airstream.
Fitting a Sullivan Products Head Lock
Remote glow-plug adapter and a Great
Planes Easy Fueler Fuel Filler Valve under the
Extra’s huge fiberglass cowl allows
immediate access for filling or dumping the
tank and starting the engine.
Tru-Turn sells a 31/4-inch machinedaluminum
spinner and an 8 x 1.25mm
spinner adapter kit to fit the FA-220A. The
company offers specialty custom cutting to
accommodate specific propeller brands and
blade counts. MA
—Jeff Troy
The combination of the Hangar 9 Extra Patented!
260, the Saito 2.20 four-stroke, and the JR
XP9303 RC system with digital servos on
the control surfaces produces a top-shelf
model. I’ve had a great time with mine, and
I think most intermediate to advanced RC
pilots will enjoy using the 260 to stretch
their current skills. It’s a nice airplane. MA
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Horizon Hobby
4105 Fieldstone Rd.
Champaign IL 61822
(877) 504-0233
www.horizonhobby.com
Products Used in Review:
Exhaust deflector, glow driver:
Du-Bro
(800) 848-9411
www.dubro.com
Remote glow plug, Megatron starter:
Sullivan Products
(410) 732-3500
www.sullivanproducts.com
Spinner, adapter kit:
Tru-Turn
(281) 479-9600
www.tru-turn.com
Trimseal:
Dave Brown Products
(513) 738-1576
www.dbproducts.com
Pilot bust:
Cajun R/C Specialties
(337) 269-5177
www.cajunrc.com
Other Review Sources:
Fly RC: January 2006
Model Airplane News: April 2006
RCR: April 2006
RCM&E: September 2006

60 MODEL AVIATION
BY JEFF TROY
Plane Talk: Hangar 9 27% Extra 260 ARF
With the Saito 2.20 four-stroke engine
for power, the Extra 260 cruises at just
above half throttle.
Minimal mixing is required to hold the Extra
on knife edge. No special programming is
required, as the author notes.
The Extra 260’s midwing design is the
preferred layout for precision and 3-D
aerobatic pilots.
HANGAR 9 HAS produced several ARFs that Mike McConville, an
acclaimed RC pilot, has designed. The Extra 260 is one of several
McConville aircraft for multistyle aerobatics. It can handle precision
Scale Aerobatics flying with ease and is ideal for visually stunning 3-D
aerobatics. This model is extremely nice and goes together quickly.
The 260 is approximately 90% factory-built. Primary airframe
components are of conventional laser-cut balsa-and-light plywood
construction with an almost countless number of lightening holes.
Each of those major components comes expertly covered in Hangar
9 UltraCote. A factory-painted fiberglass cowl and wheel pants
complement the three-color UltraCote trim scheme. All parts and
accessories are of exceptionally high quality.
Thanks to individual wing panels and removable horizontal
stabilizers, no epoxy center joints or dihedral braces are required. That
helps prepare the Extra 260 to finish quickly.
Construction: Assembly begins with hinging the ailerons, and Hangar
9 provided a nice set of heavy-duty point-type hinges to handle the task.
I used Hangar 9 30-minute epoxy for this procedure; it gave me time to
align the hinge barrels and correctly position a control surface against
the appropriate flying surface before the adhesive began to cure.
I have found that the easiest way to assure drag-free point-hinge
installation is to apply the adhesive, insert the pointed hinges in the
flying surface, and then fit the control surface to the exposed opposite
points.
When the surfaces are correctly aligned I deflect the control surface
up and down several times to line up the hinge barrels and then allow
the adhesive to cure overnight. I sealed my hinge gaps with Dave
Brown Products’ Trimseal.
I chose the recommended JR 8231 digital servos for aileron control,
although I replaced them later with JR 8611 servos because they had
more power. Each aileron servo got a 12-inch extension before
installation, and I used a 1-inch length of 1/2-inch-diameter heat-shrink
tubing to lock the extensions onto the servo leads.
I used a weighted length of string to thread the servo lead through
each wing panel. The servo bays required no cutting or trimming to
accommodate the JR servos.
I am impressed with the Extra’s control horns. An 8-32 x 21/2-inch
screw was inserted through each aileron’s upper surface and captured at
the underside with a flanged hex nut. A molded swivel link threaded onto
the end of the screw, and the link accepted the 4-40 threaded end of the
pushrod. Be sure to assemble these parts with thread-locking compound.
A midwing sport-scale aircraft for advanced
Pattern and 3-D aerobatics
Mike McConville designed the Extra 260 to be lightweight and potent regardless of the power plant the builder chooses.
December 2007 61
Photos by the author
The wing and stabilizers assemble onto the fuselage with aluminum
tubes for support. Incidence angles are set at the factory.
Removing the large hatch reveals the location of the receiver
and battery, just in front of the rudder servo.
The plywood framework is lightweight. The
forward structure ties the engine mount,
landing gear, and wing into a sturdy unit.
The Saito 2.20 fits best mounted sideways on the plywood engine box. The aluminum
engine rails are adjustable to suit any glow-engine application.
Ball-link hardware and pull-pull linkages are included. A location in the tail is reserved
in case the builder prefers the rudder servo to be farther aft.
The single JR DS8231 digital servo is
more than enough for the large ailerons
on the aircraft.
62 MODEL AVIATION
The trim lines of the UltraCote finish
aligned perfectly with the fuelproof
painted cowl.
The Extra’s carbon-fiber landing gear is
strong and light.
There’s one servo per elevator control
surface—six servos total.
Pluses and Minuses
+
• Light yet rugged construction
• Rapid bench assembly
• Quick field setup and teardown
• Agile flight performance
-• None
Test-Model Details
Specifications
Pilot skill level: Intermediate to
expert
Wingspan: 78.25 inches
Wing area: 1,134 square inches
Length: 71.25 inches
Weight: 12.0-15.5 pounds
Recommended engine: 1.20-2.10
cu. in. displacement (cid) two-stroke,
1.50-2.20 cid four-stroke, 35-50cc gas
Radio: Four channels with six servos
Construction materials: Balsa, light
plywood (Italian poplar), plywood,
fiberglass cowl, fiberglass wheel pants
Price: $379.99
Engine used: Saito FA-2.20 fourstroke
Propeller: Menz 19 x 8
Fuel: 15% nitromethane, 18% oil,
20-ounce tank
Radio system: JR XP9303
transmitter; JR nine-channel PCM
receiver; JR 537 throttle servo; JR
DS8611A rudder servo; two JR
DS8231 aileron servos; two JR
DS8231 elevator servos; 4.8-volt,
3000 mAh receiver battery; two 12-
inch aileron extensions; two 18-inch
elevator extensions; two 6-inch
receiver extensions to ailerons
Ready-to-fly weight: 15 pounds
Flight Duration: Exceeds 10 minutes
Additional Equipment Used
Rudder arm: Hangar 9 3D XL Full Servo
Arm 4-40: JR (item HAN3576)
Elevator and aileron arms (four): Hangar 9
3D XL 1/2 Servo Arm 4-40: JR (item
HAN3578)
Du-Bro Exhaust Deflector for .35-.90
Engines (item 697)
Great Planes Easy Fueler Fuel Filler Valve
(item GPMQ4160)
Sullivan Products remote glow plug (item
M021)
Dave Brown Products Trimseal Clear
Control Surface Sealing Material (item
TMSL-5250)
Tru-Turn 31/4-inch Ultimate two-blade
spinner (item TT-3232-B-120)
Tru-Turn 8 x 1.25mm adapter kit (item
TT-0823-A)
Cajun R/C Specialties 33% sport pilot bust
Hangar 9 six-minute quick-set formula
epoxy (item HAN8000)
Hangar 9 30-minute quick-set formula
epoxy (item HAN8002)
Pacer ZAP Thin CA (1-ounce bottle)
December 2007 63
The opposite end of the rod was also threaded, and it fit into a
ball link that secured to the aileron servo arm. I chose the
recommended Hangar 9 anodized aluminum arms, which look
great while increasing the amount of available throw for the
control surfaces.
The wing panels fit onto the fuselage over an aluminum tube,
and alignment pins toward the rear of the root rib fit into holes in
the fuselage to assure that the panels maintain the correct angle
of attack. Each panel is held securely with a 1/4-20 nylon
thumbscrew, making setup and teardown at the field a twominute
quickie.
The horizontal stabilizers are also removable, and they are
almost a complete repop of the wing-panel assembly, except that
the elevator servos ride in bays at the rear of the fuselage sides
instead of in the flying surfaces. An 18-inch extension is required
for each elevator servo.
The rudder linkage is pull-pull, and it sets up nicely with the
infinitely adjustable hardware provided in the kit. My servo
choice was the JR DS8611A digital with a full-length Hangar 9
anodized arm fitted to the output shaft. The carbon-fiber tailwheel
assembly mounts under the rear of the fuselage and uses a
pair of springs to connect the tiller arms to the steering yoke on
the lower edge of the rudder.
Hangar 9 provided a heavy-duty, one-piece, painted carbonfiber
landing-gear assembly and 4-inch wheels for the Extra 260.
These were complemented by a pair of factory-painted fiberglass
wheel pants, which secured to the gear legs with the axle lock
nut and 4-40 socket-head capscrew.
The airplane’s front end could accommodate a number of
power options, from a 1.20 two-stroke glow engine to a 50cc
gasoline power plant and anything in between. I chose the new
Saito 2.20 four-stroke to power my Extra.
At the time the Saito 2.20 was the largest single-cylinder
four-stroke available. It starts easily, runs smoothly, and
produces plenty of power for advanced aerobatics.
Hangar 9 supplied a mount in the 260 kit, and I added a
standard JR 537 servo for throttle control. I also used an Easy
Fueler quick-fueling valve from Great Planes and a remote glow
driver from Sullivan Products. Those two extras allowed me to
access the fuel tank and get light to the engine under that huge
fiberglass cowl.
The Extra’s final assembly involved the fuel tank, fiberglass
cowl, and tinted canopy. Little trimming was required for the
Saito, and I chose a 1/3-scale, factory-painted sport pilot bust
from Cajun R/C to “drive” my Extra. The last steps before flight
were to set the control-surface throws and radio programming,
set the correct CG, and charge the RC system.
Flying the Extra was a kick and a half. I fueled the Saito with
Byron’s 15%-nitro fuel (18% oil), connected my Du-Bro glow
driver, and gave the Tru-Turn 31/4-inch Ultimate spinner a hit
with my Sullivan Megatron starter. The 2.20 fired instantly and
took only a tweak or two to set perfectly.
Pointing the nose into the wind, I powered up, lifted the tail,
and the model gently broke ground. The Extra climbs like a
bandit on the Saito 2.20. Vertical performance is excellent, and
this airplane is capable of anything I can ask for—and much
more.
I performed the rudimentary routine of rolls, loops, inverted
flight, and Split “S” turns. Then I handed the JR XP9303
transmitter to my friend, Brandon Wright, who wrung out the
airplane for the camera and everyone at the flying site.
Spanning slightly more than 76 inches, Hangar 9’s Extra 260
is large. It’s an extremely stable sport flier, yet it can easily
perform any known precision aerobatics schedule or 3-D
maneuver in a capable pilot’s hands. Landings are predictable,
and the airplane exhibits no tendency to drop a tip at low speed.
You can almost bring this one in like a trainer.
Saito 2.20 Four-Stroke
Saito’s FA-220A weighs 42 ounces and
turns 1,900-10,000 rpm with a 17 x 12-20 x
8 propeller. The benchmark is 8,100 rpm
with an APC 19 x 8 propeller.
Complete with Saito’s three-year
warranty from Horizon Hobby, this huge
single-cylinder engine features a swivel
muffler for optimum fitting, a chrome-plated
cylinder, and a new head design for improved
airflow.
Hangar 9 provides a sturdy, adjustable
aluminum engine mount to accommodate all
appropriate glow engines. Side-mounting the
big FA-220A gets the engine inside the cowl
and keeps the cylinder in the airstream.
Fitting a Sullivan Products Head Lock
Remote glow-plug adapter and a Great
Planes Easy Fueler Fuel Filler Valve under the
Extra’s huge fiberglass cowl allows
immediate access for filling or dumping the
tank and starting the engine.
Tru-Turn sells a 31/4-inch machinedaluminum
spinner and an 8 x 1.25mm
spinner adapter kit to fit the FA-220A. The
company offers specialty custom cutting to
accommodate specific propeller brands and
blade counts. MA
—Jeff Troy
The combination of the Hangar 9 Extra Patented!
260, the Saito 2.20 four-stroke, and the JR
XP9303 RC system with digital servos on
the control surfaces produces a top-shelf
model. I’ve had a great time with mine, and
I think most intermediate to advanced RC
pilots will enjoy using the 260 to stretch
their current skills. It’s a nice airplane. MA
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Horizon Hobby
4105 Fieldstone Rd.
Champaign IL 61822
(877) 504-0233
www.horizonhobby.com
Products Used in Review:
Exhaust deflector, glow driver:
Du-Bro
(800) 848-9411
www.dubro.com
Remote glow plug, Megatron starter:
Sullivan Products
(410) 732-3500
www.sullivanproducts.com
Spinner, adapter kit:
Tru-Turn
(281) 479-9600
www.tru-turn.com
Trimseal:
Dave Brown Products
(513) 738-1576
www.dbproducts.com
Pilot bust:
Cajun R/C Specialties
(337) 269-5177
www.cajunrc.com
Other Review Sources:
Fly RC: January 2006
Model Airplane News: April 2006
RCR: April 2006
RCM&E: September 2006