Quick Specs:
Width: 102" (2600 mm)
Length: 89" (2205 mm)
Weight: 24.25 - 0 bs27.5 (11 - 12.5 kg) dry
Engine Size: 75-120cc
Servos: 7-8 high power digital servos
Extra 260 2.6m (102")
How should we improve a very successful design even further ? - Well, we at CARF-Models asked ourselves that question very often – especially when the topic is aerobatics. Our TOC-proven Extra 330S already got many input from Pilots like Jason Shulman, but when he told us about the advantages of the 260, we started listening immediatly. And not only to him. Also Frazer Briggs is known as a big 260 fan and flew his own designed 260 up to the podium at the Tucson Aerobatic Shootout several times.
But why is the 260 so perfect for our kind of IMAC-style flying ? Well, take a closer look at the full size airplane: Wing and stabs are aligned very axial - the secret of every neutral flying plane. They are reasonable streched in wingspan – almost like a modern F3A design. Missing the counterbalances, the elevators perform very well in sequence flying and let the plance track perfectly. Another affinity to pattern planes. And last, but not least, its fuselage side-area is big enough to perform a good knife-edge in every situation, while still keeping a really good aerodynamic shape. Even a 80cc single cylinder like the DA or 3W 85 provides more than enough power for every maneuver. And is so much affordable than a 100cc twin engine ! And of course, our full-composite Extra 260 2.6m is so strong that the higher vibration level of a single won't hurt the airframe, even after 1000 flights.
So far, so good. Let’s take a closer look at our 260. You know it – when there aren’t exclusive details , realizing new thoughts to make a modelers life easier – than it’s something, but not a CompARF.
•It’s always an issue with the canopies: If you’re making them too small, you need the tools of a dentist to fix the simplest things. If you’re making them too big, the plane will be shaky and noisy, especially with the popular 80cc single cylinder engines. Time for a compromise ! That’s exactly what we were thinking while designing the 260 fuselage.
•We listened to our valued customers all the time and we are always trying to improve things. Regarding the landing gear of our 260, we didn’t make experiments, we just made it solid and strong. You have to do a lot to break that. But even if you do so – ordering the spare parts with our new website was never as easy as it is right now. And then, it takes you exactly three bolts to exchange it. Quite simple, isn’t it ?
•As always on our 2.6m planes, all the linkage accessories are included in the kit. We’re using high quality phenolic material, which is really hard to get sloppy. You’ll find everything you need in the hardware-bag.
•You have the freedom of choice when it comes to the servos. All popular high-quality digital servos will fit. We suggest JR’s 8611a or a similar Futaba.
•The elevator doesn’t have any counterbalance, so it will a put a little bit more load at the servos at it usually does. That’s why we recommend the use of one highest performance - i.e. JR 8711 - servo for each stab. You should be really careful to avoid flutter and replace your servo gear when it gets sloppy.
•All popular twin cylinder engines in the 100ccm class will fit under the cowling. A good choice will be the DA-100. But also the very popular and very affordable 80ccm class single cylinder engines will be an excellent choice. If you’re running them on a tuned pipe, you won’t have less power than a 100cc twin on canisters – but it’s so much cheaper !
We haven’t talked about 3D and freestyle maneuvers so far. Well, it’s good to hear that upcoming, super talented pilots like Chris Brislin from Australia are prefering the 260 also for that, flying it to the podium at the Shootout 2008 with an incredible freestyle routine, featuring all the crazy new maneuvers. With its large control surfaces and its incredible power-to-weight ratio (already with older engine designs), the 260 has everything you’ll need for any freestyle maneuvers you can imagine.
You want to have all the benefits of a Yak, while still prefering the look of an Extra ? - Well, then the decision is easy: The CARF-Models Extra 260 has everything you’ll need.
