• Wing Span: 58.25 in (148 cm)
• Wing Area: 590 sq in (3810 cm²)
• Length: 49.75 in (1265 cm)
• Weight: 6.5 lbs (3.0 kg)
• Engine: .46 - .50 2 - cycle

(7.5 cc - 8.5 cc 4 - cycle)
.70 4 - cycle
(11.5 cc 4 - cycle)
• 5 Servos required

The Hobbico Extra 300S Plus is an an all-wood, Almost-Ready-to-Fly true scale replica of one of the most popular aerobatic planes ever. It looks like a scratch-built kit. Most modelers can't tell it's pre-built. It uses a unique laminated balsa construction that strengthens the fuselage and turtledeck and allows for rounded contours that more closely follow scale lines. The wings are fully sheeted for strength and a smooth finish. The wheel pants, wing tips, canopy, cowl, tail plate and belly pan are all made from heavy-duty plastic. The dual aileron servos are mounted inside the fuselage to provide more protection, greater convenience and better roll performance.

This model is currently available at a cost of $179.99 from Tower Hobbies. Building it takes longer than might be expected for an ARF, primarily because the cowl, tail fairing, wing fairing, and wheel pants must be cut out and painted. It is annoying when a model is expected to be pretty much complete but it is still not a bad deal for the price. AWARF stands for all-wood-almost-ready-to-fly but this one has foam core wings.

The hardware that is included with the kit is poor quality but was used anyway. So far it has functioned satisfactorily. One major problem that needs to be corrected is that the housing for the aileron control rods is not secured in place and will flutter severely in flight. This can be corrected simply by using epoxy or CA to mount them in position. Splints of balsa were attached with CA after cutting out an area hidden by the fuselage. It is very important to take the time to reinforce the firewall with epoxy, as well as the wing.

Flying this plane makes all the frustrations of building very much worthwhile. A SuperTigre G-90 was used to power it even though this is outside of the recommended range of engines. This seems to be the perfect engine for the plane although it is a .60 size frame and wing. The first flight was picture perfect except the previously mentioned flutter. The take-off was exactly the opposite of what was expected. It was exceptionally easy considering that this was the first experience with a tail-draggers. The Extra just goes straight down the runway smoothly and trouble-free. Rolls are excellent. Two rolls can be done without any loss of attitude which is an amazing performance. Snap rolls, lomcevoks, torque rolls, and tail slides are no problem. This plane has basically unlimited potential. After flying this model, the UltraSport has been pushed aside.

Landing the Extra was surprisingly a pleasant, perfect experience. The maiden voyage was cut short after the flutter was heard. The plane was lined up and brought in a little "hot" as the manual instructs. A lot of runway was allowed and it touched down softly right in front of the flight post. The anticipated tip-stalls did not materialize and instead, the model flared perfectly and almost hovered before settling gently on the runway.

This plane is perfect for those who would like to leave the advanced category behind and move on to the unlimited. This one is highly recommended to anyone who doesn't mind the difficulties with the unfinished plasic parts.