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Center Of Balance
Like all R/C models, the Somethin Extra was designed to be flown with the proper Center of Balance (or CG). As shown
on the plans, the CG falls exactly in the center of the 1/4" wing spar, or 3-1/2" back from the leading edge. As previously
mentioned, this design allows for a relatively huge shift in the location of the airborne battery pack. However, if for some
reason you find that your model is still either nose heavy or tail heavy, consider some of the following suggestions before
resorting to non-functional lead weight.
Wheels
: There are 2-3/4 dia. wheels suitable for this design that are extremely light (such as the Dave Brown
Treaded Lite Wheels) and heavier wheels from other manufacturers. This is a great way to adjust and help correct
an out-of-balance model.
Tailwheels
: A simple way to help control balance is to consider ultra-light plastic tailwheels to cure a tail heavy
condition or much heavier tailwheels to help with a nose heavy situation.
Spinners
: Like the wheels, there are very light 2-1/4" dia. plastic spinners and considerably heavier metal spinners
of the same diameter - yet another way to control the CG.
Propellers
: Some of the more popular composite plastic props can be fairly heavy in contrast to the considerably
lighter wood propellers with the same diameter and pitch. This is another good place to control the balance of your
model.
Heavy Hubs
: Need a little more weight in the nose? Consider using one of the many Heavy Hub propeller hub
products sold by Harry Higley & Sons, Inc.
Battery Packs
: If your smaller 500 mAH pack is not helping much in getting the model to balance, consider moving
up to a larger, somewhat heavier pack. Functional weight is the best kind!
In the unlikely event that your model is still out of balance, then you will probably have to resort to the use of lead weight. If
so, we caution you to make very certain that the weights are securely attached to your model. The Somethin Extra is
capable of extreme high-G maneuvers that could possibly dislodge improperly attached lead weights.
Last, we also suggest that you balance your model laterally. To do this, use light line or string to suspend the assembled
model inverted, from a front center and rear center point on the fuselage - typically from the engine s prop shaft in the front
and the tailwheel wire at the rear. Properly balanced laterally, the wings would remain level. If the airplane is heavier on
one side than the other, the wing on the heavy side will hang lower. This can have a negative effect on how this or any
other model flies and will show up in certain maneuvers. It should be corrected. The quickest fix is to add small stick-on
weights to the lighter wingtip until model hangs level. A neater method is to cut a small hole in the wingtip, place the lead
inside securely and recover the area. No matter how you do the job, a laterally balanced model always performs better
and is well worth the effort.
FLYING
The SOMETHIN EXTRA is most certainly not a beginner's model. It was designed as an all-out aerobatic aircraft with all of
the inherent attributes of those types of airplanes. If this is your first aerobatic model and you have relatively little actual air
time, we would urge you to seek the assistance of a qualified R/C pilot to help you through the first few test flights.
Keep the ailerons and elevators in their low rates. Once airborne, get to a reasonable altitude before inputting any trim
changes. Once the model is trimmed for straight and level flight, begin getting the feel for the way it flies. At an altitude of
about three mistakes, you can begin exploring its ability to loop, roll, etc. When you are more comfortable (typically within
minutes), go to high rates and begin to enjoy this model as it was meant to be enjoyed! This thing will perform maneuvers
that are not yet even named! Explore the model s ability to spin - upright and inverted and while you are at it, check out the
stall speed while still at altitude. When you are more familiar with the SOMETHIN EXTRA, start playing with the flaperons.
You will not believe what you can get this model to do!
FLYERS TIP: We suggest that you do not lower the flaperons above 1/2 throttle. At higher speeds, lowering
the flaps may cause sudden pitch changes that may be difficult to correct at low altitudes.
One word of caution is appropriate here. This design has a tendency to make you feel so confident that you may begin to
fly it too close to you and/or the ground. The airplane has the ability to recover from virtually any maneuver instantly but a
point could be reached where you may run out of altitude and ideas all at once. You also need to get yourself comfortable
with the shape and color of your model during some of the wilder maneuvers. Knowing which side is up and the direction
of flight is always a good thing. If your engine quits for any reason, be aware that the SOMETHIN EXTRA flies very well
dead-stick. However, the thickness of its wing does not allow it to penetrate very well in high wind, dead-stick conditions. If
the engine quits and you have some distance to travel back to your field, keep the nose down, the speed up and avoid
turns.
