[dirtdr]

Well Up until today I had an excuse to not get a PA arf. Didnt want to order it online..

Walked into PM hobbies today and they had about 20 PA arfs on the shelf.

Walked out with a 58" Extra MX...

These are bar none the finest arfs on the market!! Cant wait to get er in the air!!

[Shawnlh]

Originally Posted by dirtdr

These are bar none the finest arfs on the market!! Cant wait to get er in the air!!

Uummmm................you've obviously never flown or assembled a 3DHS Extra.

Not saying PA planes are all bad, the new MX Extra is an excellent flyer. But the 3DHS planes are of the absolute utmost build quality, excellent hardware, and customer support you simply cannot beat.

The PA planes may be close in most aspects, but not the last one I listed.

[dirtdr]

I should re-phrase then...

This is by far the finest looking ARF I have ever seen.

I was tempted to buy it online, but seeing it in the LHS was just irresistible.

I'm sure if I ever see a 3DHS kit in a store, i would walk out with it, too....

[Shawnlh]

I wish we could find 3DHS stuff locally, but probably not going to happen any time soon. I spoke with the owner of 3DHS to inquire about distributing his planes here in Canada. However, in order to make it worth while, I needed to order a sea can full straight off the boat. Approximately 30g's worth of planes!! It was a chunk of change I could not spare at the moment. So I called PM to see if they were interested, but obviously they were not. PM told me they don't have the space for that many planes, the investment is huge, and it would probably take way too long to move the planes as 3DHS just isn't as popular up here as it should be. But I'm quite sure that if anyone ever assembles and flies a 3DHS plane, you'll be hard pressed to go anywhere else after.

Anyhow, I hope you enjoy the PA Extra. Post some pics/vids if you can

[dirtdr]

so far, just looking at it in the box, I can say i really like the aileron hinge system....
and all the carbon fiber makes for a big bling factor

I will be setting it up as follows:

Axi 4120/14 swinging turnigy electric 13-6 (1000 watts)
HK 70 amp esc
Hitec 5085's
turnigy 6s 3000mah

[Revy]

I loved my PA Extra. So much that I want another one. I haven't flown the 3DHS but for me, PA is the best ARF for the coin out there. Have fun with that MX!!!

[dirtdr]

Well I got her all assembled and maidened!

Sorry no pics yet... My fone camera is buggered... Anyway

Motor choice changed. Axi 4120 wouldn fit without modifications so I installed a turnigy 42-60 500kv that I had laying around. It is controlled by a hk 190a speed controller. I tried a 60a plush but couldn't stop it from squealing.

My first prop choice looks good. 15-8 apc. 45 amps and 950watts off 6s

AUW came to 4lbs 3oz with zippy 3000mah 20c installed!!

I only had two quick shakedown flights so far. 0 trim needed. 950 watts is insane power on this airframe.. The thing took off in just a couple feet with just a burp of throttle (unintentional takeoff )

This thing REALLY slows down nice for landing. 5km headwind and it landed with as short of a rollout as the takeoff run.

I definately have a new favorite plane now!!

[Shawnlh]

Glad your enjoying the plane. And don't forget.....Fly Low!!!!

[BigBreeze]

Hi guys,

I own the PA Ulitmate AMR, and now Shawnlh's 3DHS Extra 330 58"...it's a tough call on which is built better in my opinion, but if I had to choose, I would give the "prettiness" award to the PA planes (they can still do amazing 3D though), but the 3D award to the 3DHS. I would buy either one over again. Both are engineered perfectly, they are light, and 3d monsters.

As for flying abilities, I cannot comment on that either, because these planes are kinda like comparing oranges and apples. The Ulti is a tight little plane that tumbles and spins violently, harriers awesome. Meanwhile, the Extra is very light and floaty, great 3D'er.

I usually grab 'em both and decide which I want to fly when I get to the field!

That's my opinion only, for what it's worth!

[Shawnlh]

BigBreeze, how do you like the power system in the 3DHS Extra? What prop you running on it?