Taken the plunge and going for a Spectra G

[Johnda]

Thanks Gramey will have a look

[Mojo]

This is the Century Predator rather than a Spectra but the Spectra should be capable of the same, but not in my hands -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNA_wWl2XxY

Wow!! i take it back, that is not mild 3D, that is pretty good 3D for such a heavy heli as you say

And i'm sure in time mate that heli will do the same in your hands

Mo

[gramey]

"And i'm sure in time mate that heli will do the same in your hands" - you may see mine do some of those moves, the only problem is there unlikely to be intentional!

[Mark J]

saw this a while ago when was helping my mate look to see what the spectra g's are like etc.

this is some really nice smooth flying and just shows how solid the spectra g's are.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-Xkd_1CZZg[/ame]

[gramey]

Some very nice smooth flying there, that would do me Interesting to see they're using a 26, I know people do use these without a problem but Miniature Aircraft and Motors & Rotors advise against it so I'm sticking with the 23 for now.
This is the guy that does the Jewel onboard generators flying his Spectra -
http://www.livevideo.com/media/playv...6B653E780BDC3F

[gramey]

A big box arrived yesterday (21/04/09) -

It's a bit daunting as this will be the first heli kit I've built from scratch, never painted a FG canopy before either and this thing looks huge compared to my 600

[gramey]

Assembly has started

[gramey]

Assembly has started -

[unwind-protect]

I is watching with interest!

Is the engine in there, too?

[gramey]

Assembly has started -

Rotor head assembled


Close up of rotor head


Left main frame


Both main frames


Clsoe up of main gear


So far despite ordering this kit with the Tempest head it arrived with the stock head. Rather than wait several weeks again for one with the Tempest head I foolishly let Motorsandrotors convince me that the stock head was better and accepted this one thinking I could always upgrade to the Tempest head later. I then found out that the heads share very few common parts so instead of the £100.00 extra I would have paid if the correct kit had been supplied, it's now going to cost me £299.00 to buy a Tempest head!

So far assembly has gone reasonably well apart from the fact that so far I've found the following parts missing from the kit, 2 10 x 4 bearings for the fly bar carrier, both rear canopy mounts and 2 8 x 3 socket head screws.

Fortunately as I'd ordered the Stratus fly bar carrier (which according to others should have come with this kit?) this came with the bearings that were missing from the kit. Motorsandrotors are sending me some canopy mounts and for convenience I bought some extra 8 x 3 allen screws from my LHS.

The quality of the kit appears to be very nice, it's just a shame somebody was asleep when they checked off the bag contents prior to shipping. I'm sure it will all come good at the end and I'm looking forward to getting this heli in the air.

[Brewber]

How would you rate Motors & Rotors as a retailer/e-tailer, now that you've experience of their sales and after-sales support? There is rumour of an Xcell 50 size heli and if so, M&R are likely to be one of the few places it would be sold from.

Edit: I suppose I should ask...now that you've dealt with them...are you happy to give them your money...or would you prefer to have shopped elsewhere?

cheers
Brew.

[gramey]

How would you rate Motors & Rotors as a retailer/e-tailer, now that you've experience of their sales and after-sales support? There is rumour of an Xcell 50 size heli and if so, M&R are likely to be one of the few places it would be sold from.

Edit: I suppose I should ask...now that you've dealt with them...are you happy to give them your money...or would you prefer to have shopped elsewhere?

cheers
Brew.

Early day's yet with M&R's, I'm disappointed that having specifically ordered the kit with a Tempest head a stock kit turns up. If I'd have known it was so expensive to buy this head seperately I would have rejected the kit and waited for a replacement..
The kit was far longer coming than I'd been lead to believe hence why I was reluctant to send it back and start waiting again. They inform me however that they do carry a good stock of spares and to their credit they've been fine about the missing parts, which apparently isn't uncommon with MA, and sent them out special delivery.
I'm not sure if they wait to make it worthwhile before placing kit orders and this may be why mine took so long. I think however that once the initial order comes thorugh and any minor teething problems are sorted out then their support will be fine. To be fair they can't see inside the box as it comes sealed from the factory so they wouldn't be aware of the missing parts until the customer calls them.
The 50 is likely to be far more popular than the gasser I've bought so I doubt you'll have any major issues with them. The quality of the kit I've bought is very good so far, far better than my Align's.
Sorry I've rambled on but I hope this helps.

[gramey]

Well sorry I never kept up the build thread but I did get it finished and here it is on it's maiden flight, and yes I'd forgotten to take the pull start off!


Now all I need to do is convince the wife that a Bergen 44 Magnum is a good buy!

[trillian]

'Looks good! That's an interesting exhaust pipe on there.

[Asid]

Nice.

Is that a zimmerman? Did you modify it to fit?

Regards