| Thunder Tiger Raptor 60 |
| Preface: The decision was made to go with the Thunder Tiger Raptor 60. It offers the best performance/dollar value of the myriad of 60 sized helis on the market. Parts availibilty is good and with the recent V.2 upgrade a lot of the deficiencies that were present in the first run seem to be gone. On this page I'll try to document the build of the machine and the flight performance. Some of this information has been covered elsewhere on the web (perhaps in greater detail) so this will be more like a diary of my experiences. I'll try to provide photographs of relevant items to illustrate particular points. So, let's begin........ The Machine and Equipment: Raptor .60 size 3D Heli Specs: rotor dia.: 54"-63" (depending on blades used) height: 18.3" weight: 10.3lbs tail rotor dia: 10.24" gear ratio: 1:9.3:4.668 Radio & Gyro: Futaba 9VHP transmitter Futaba RD127H receiver (3) Futaba S9202BB servos (collective & cyclic) (1) Hitec HS-525BB (rudder) (1) Hitec HS-425BB (throttle) Futaba GY-240 piezo gyro Sanyo SCR1400 4cell 1400mAh battery (from an R/C car pack) Engine & exhaust: OS 61 SXH-WC Heli Weston 1pc pipe/silencer Rotor Baldes: Stock wood blades furnished with kit (to be used initially) Aeromaster 680mm wood blades (fully symetrical) |
| 11-30-01: The kit arrived today from HeliProz (ordered on 11-26) along with the Aeromaster blades I ordered from GR8 Lakes R/C. The kit is packed very nicely with all the parts in indivudual bags. I didn't go thru everything yet but hopefully I can start construction in the next day or so. I'm still waiting for the engine and pipe from HeliProz along with some extra radio equipment I ordered from TowerHobbies. These should be here in the next few days. 12-1-01 Started construction tonight. Basically following the instruction manual. One of the first things I was going to do was installl the clutch liner with JB Weld but I found it had alread been done at the factory. Nice touch TT. The clutch bearing was also installed. I had heard this was tricky so perhaps that's why it was done already. The instructions could be better, especially where showing what bolts go in which holes. You really have to pay attention to the graphics. There are two frame spacers left over when you're done with Bag 'A'. It's not until you get to step 1-3 when they are used. I thought they were extra but it turns out not. I also replaced the fuel line with my own usual Sullivan blue fuel line. I heard the TT furnished tubing gets soggy and mushy and needs constant replacement. They even warn of it in the manual but allow you to use your own if you like. 12-2-01 Did a little more tonight. The main chassis is assembled. I put some 3-in-1 oil on the autorotation clutch bearing. I have heard these can seize up. Getting to the 'Jesus' nut is a bit tricky. It's hard to hold the nut while tightening the bolt. One thing you notice is how beefy the main mast is. 12mm dia and that it's hollow. Never had one of those before. There was an addendum to my kit and some extra parts for stabilizing the canopy from vibration. I guess this was a problem on earlier versions of the Raptor. Another problem when I was installing the balls for the ball link connectors was the 2mm x 12mm self threading screw for the double balls on the elavator pitch control arm was that the thread was missing from the screw. I replaced it with a 2mm x12mm machine screw I had. |
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| Some other Raptor links: |
| Raptor Technique: reviews, set ups, upgrades and a whole lot of information on Raptors; 30 thru 60 sizes Raptor Construction manuals Raptor 60: a construction review B&B Hobbies: another Raptor 60 review and log Ace Hobby Forums: a good heli forum for Raptor owners RunRyder RC Heli Forums: another good heli forum for all types of helis Raptor Videos: some videos of various Raptors from Singapore |
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