Twister Pantera

[evolusia]

HI, I`ve bought one of these Helis and although its gone together OK, I cannot get a clutch bell that runs true. JP have changed it twice and still runs out a mile. Can`t bring myself to try and fly a Heli with an additional built in vibration generator. Anybody else got any feedback on this.

[Steve]

Is the clutch shoe aligned reasonably well on the engine?

If it is, then maybe the bell will get pulled into place by the shoe once it's running and fully engaged.

In other words, give it a go and see what happens.

[evolusia]

I made a new collet to pull the bottom end into line, and that all clocks up around .002" from engine to clutch end, so that's well within what's acceptable. It`s the clutch bell itself that's the problem, it runs out of true by 013" with the engine installed and lined up properly. You only have to look at it rotate to know it`s going to cause problems. What I am looking for is feedback from others who have bought and built this heli and can comment on this part of the build from experience. Anybody had on that runs true cos I`m pretty miffed at being told that this is as good as it gets.

[Boggy]

until today ive never seen this heli mentioned on here!! i doubt anybody is flying one dude so i wouldn't expect direct feed back. you may have to accept people's opinions, there are some pretty knowledgeable guys here Steve is one and like he says give it a go!!

[mchristyuk]

Evolusia,

The Twister Pantera comes out of the same factory (Hyundai I believe..) who did the Robbe Ornith and the JR Venture 30/50 machines. From what I remember they share a lot of common parts.

If the bell is visibly wobbling then yes you are asking for trouble if you run it up.

If you can not get a round bell from Perkins for the machine and you want to continue trying to get the machine airborne then you may well find the JR or Robbe clutch bells are the same dimensions and gearing.. I have a nagging suspicion a Hirobo Scedeau bell might be the same too.. however you'll have to get somebody to measure them up for you.

Cheers

Mark

[evolusia]

Hi Mark. You are correct that the parts for this kit are made by Hyundai, and it is the same Heli as the Audacity Pantera (US). I have looked at the Ornith and JR manuals and the Bells do have a strong resemblance, however they are much more expensive than the original part and there`s no guarantee that they would be any better.

I can`t fathom this out, the guys on RunRyder give the Pantera a thumbs up as you can fit up to a 90 size mill into this heli with a fairly inexpensive Big Block kit and a blade change to 620mm. The clutch is 40 odd mm in dia so its well up to the job but there ain`t no way that this amount of run-out will be tolerated by the primary drive before problems show up.

[mchristyuk]

Hi Evolusia,

Despite there being a big block conversion kit I've never thought putting an engine so large into something designed for much less was a good idea.. just because the clutch can take it doesn't mean everywhere else can.. but that is digressing

I'm not sure what you can do about the clutch bell.. I certainly wouldn't want to run one with that much run out. If JP can't supply you with a bell even closely resembling round then I suggest you return the machine and ask for your money back as it's not up to scratch.

I had a similar problem about 10 years ago with an Xcell 60. Miniature Aircraft couldn't supply my machine with a round bell either and that thing had so many vibration problems it was unreal.

Cheers

Mark

[evolusia]

Pantera bell housing wobble.

Hi Mark.Just to let you know I`ve fixed the problem of the clutch bell housing. I begged the use of a lathe and took the wobble out with a dial indicator. This resulted in less than .001" run-out at the outside of the bell and it is now good to go as they say. My take on this problem is that the top of the bell is being distorted to one degree or another when the pinion and bell housing are being screwed together on the production line. It shouldn`t happen but at this price I cannot see every unit being checked for compliance.
I really would like some more feedback from other Pantera owners to see if there are any other problems since the recent price drop, plus the fact Audacity models (the designers) claim the thing is over engineered and can easily cope with a bigger engine, is tempting me to get another one. Surely I can`t be the only one who has bought one of these Helis.

[Disc]

Hi Mark.Just to let you know I`ve fixed the problem of the clutch bell housing. I begged the use of a lathe and took the wobble out with a dial indicator. This resulted in less than .001" run-out at the outside of the bell and it is now good to go as they say. My take on this problem is that the top of the bell is being distorted to one degree or another when the pinion and bell housing are being screwed together on the production line. It shouldn`t happen but at this price I cannot see every unit being checked for compliance.
I really would like some more feedback from other Pantera owners to see if there are any other problems since the recent price drop, plus the fact Audacity models (the designers) claim the thing is over engineered and can easily cope with a bigger engine, is tempting me to get another one. Surely I can`t be the only one who has bought one of these Helis.

Please don't belive what the designers say...

Thats like believing the JP stuff that says RTF flight Tested and you belive them!

Best way to find out about models is from other owners...

Take this bunch of maniacs on here there more than happy to give an honest answer about helicopters or the stuff you put into them.



But the Designers... not sure I'd believe any of them All model helicopters have the odd issue here and there...