Well I have my next project under way. I have bought and started to build a Great Planes Extra 300S 60 Kit .61-.90,64"   I have a very strong ST 90 RC that will provide power. A search of the web turned up Bob's Aircraft Documentation service.  I have bought from him the photos and 3 view drawings Of tail # N76PK.  I chose this one because it is a straight line paint job, is a US owned airplane and has a 3 bladed prop. It looks like it will have 6 servos: 2 for flaps, 1 for elevator, 1 for rudder (adjust line tension on the fly.), 1 for throttle and one for smoke. A scanned in copy of one of his photos is attached.

This brings me to my question - How do I apply the finish.  Does Monokote work well in stand off scale or do I need to cover it in silkspan and paint.  This is a shiny aircraft so Monokote should look OK.  I have done quit a bit of Monokote in the past and have had some success.  The big issue is the decals.  I plan to make my own. I don't know how well they will stick to Monokote.

If I can get it all to work I will looking for stand off scale contest, next summer, that are close to north Alabama.

John,
A technical point regarding the rules, and especially the contest in Huntersville next June: The FAI rules very specifically state that the elevation control of the model must be by mechanical means. Your servo driven elevator would not be acceptable in FAI competition and the Huntersville contest will be per the FAI rules. My reading of the AMA control line general regs makes me believe your approach is OK in AMA classes, but the wording is such that I can imagine someone reading it to say the mechanical link is required by AMA too.
Chuck Snyder

Well the wings are almost framed up on my Extra 300S.  This is a fixed gear low wing aircraft that will have a removable wing.  Is there any reason why I can't run the lines external to the wing.  I would like to have the leadouts sticking out of the fuselage above the wing.  The flight lines would then pass through line guides on the wing tip. The line guide could be part of wing tip sight triangles.  This way the control system will not be in the wing making it easy to remove the wing.   

Chuck,
Is there anything wrong with having a bolt in handle to the bellcrank tray to hold onto during the pull test? This way one wouldn't have to manhandle the finish during the arduous process!
Chris...

Chuck,

AS I understand it, pilot holds the model, pull test scale hooks to the handle. Hopefully one can hold one's own model withought hurting it. 

John, reading your post and admiring the Extra 300 has broght to the forefront an idea that I have had on and off over the years as regarding scale and PA.........:-)
I think that it would be great if there was a SCALE PA  class in c/l.
There are so many really fantastic aerobatic airplanes to chose from and even beginner, intermediate, and open class. I think that it would be a challenging and interesting additional event......:-)
100 percent scale outlines and volums and a displacement to wing area rule...Oh, and scale airfoils.................:-)  Clipped wing T,Crats, and J3s and Citabrias among others for beginner, Pits Specials, Christian Eagles, and Steen Skybolts for Intermediate, and Sukois, Extras, and Yaks for open.....along with many others that are suietable for each class...........what ya think??

John, The Huntersville contest has scale on that Saturday. They do a flight only event; NO static judging. Any airplane can be flown and they don't have a builder of the model rule. But the flight judging is by the FAI (F4B) rules which require a slightly more complex flight plan. They waive the penalty for non functional retracts. Check the contest calendar on the AMA site for a link to their information. Great bunch of guys there in and around Huntersville and a nice flying site too. I hope to be able to attend.

Tom Farmers ship. Nice and a very good flier.

Wow!   Hope mine looks as good.  Does anyone know what powers Tom's Extra and how hard does it pull.