Thanks.

[Bob Stone]

Hi Guys
After several years break from Heli flying, I've found myself with a bit more time, and by accident found this excellent site full of information and really genuine helpful people, (different from when i first started,"aw no you don't want to get a helicopter you'll never learn to fly it,get a plane").
I persevered and learnt to fly it, then the local club packed up and it wasn't quit the same flying on your own. But through this site i met "The Manager" and last saturday met with some of his club members, and what a site an old airfield in the middle of nowhere with lots of sky,no footpaths people or animals to worry about,had a great afternoon, bit cold though probably why members were a bit thin on the ground,and its on my doorstep. Haven't got anything flying at the moment, Still looking for a pair of Space Baron side frames if any one has any (the theory is i don't mind breaking an old machine while I'm getting back into flying rather than buy a new one and break it).
So thank you Steve (The Manager) and thanks to Stuart & Co for a great site. Regards Bob.

[Janek]

Welcome to rcheliaddict Bob, a nice friendly place, run by a Brit, and frequented by Brits.

Most other Heli sites are overrun with Yanks, and they can and do get very annoying to say the least !

the theory is i don't mind breaking an old machine while I'm getting back into flying rather than buy a new one and break it

You might want to reconsider this !, as you are already experiancing, getting parts for old helis is difficult/impossible, and will probably be very expensive, and at the end of the day they just don't fly as well as their modern counterparts. Take a look at, say, a Raptor 30 or preferably 50, and the parts costs, yes it's a big financial outlay initially, but in the longer term it's be cheaper.

Oh, and don't forget computer simulators, they WILL save you a lot of money, and provided you have a reasonable home computer, will only cost you about £100-£150. These things have advanced beyond recognition over the last couple of years !

Again, welcome

[Bob Stone]

Hi Janek
No what you mean about other sites, read one the other day," cant really see why you need a Gyro !" you ever tried flying one without ?
I know what you a saying about a new model it's just the fact that for once i want to be able to fly it around without worrying whether i break it or not,(the parts are out there it's just proving difficult getting some people to part with them or even reply!!), then i can look around for a new model, 50 size now seems to be the old 30,am i right. Thought about a Raptor but couldn't live with the canopy shape (its ugly) What else is worth a look ?
Have got an obviously old CSM 9.3 Sim how much better are the new ones ?
Cheers Bob.

[G-DAVE]

Never Look Back !

Originally Posted by Bob Stone
"The theory is i don't mind breaking an old machine while I'm getting back into flying rather than buy a new one and break it".

As I recall the Space Baron was an improvement on what had gone before , but it's been overtaken now by the Raptors etc.

I started with a Morley Bell 47G and look back fondly on those days but would not have them back !!! It's never been easier to learn to fly helis than it is now.

As Janek says get a Raptor 50 or equivalent and a Simulator and you will be supprised how quickly you'll climb the learning curve.

Welcome to the site Bob .
Dave

[Bob Stone]

Thanks Dave
The Baron ive got is all upgraded with metal head and i agree
after having most of the Morley's (still got 47G) i learnt more with the Baron in 6 month's than with the Morleys through several years. As i said don't like the look of the Raptor (yes i know spares are cheap) but what about the Knight and what sizes are they made in etc ?
Cheers Bob

[marktigere1]

Hi Bob

Funny, I also live in Bury St Edmunds and have recently taken up Heli flying again after a break of about four years.

My problem is I never seem to have enough time.

However, I really want to make time to visit Steve at Haverhill myself as it appears the football season has driven our club off the field

Cheers and welcome.

Mark

[Bob Stone]

Hi Mark
I no what you mean about time mate not enough of it! I live between Bury and Sudbury not actually in Bury where did you fly before ?
Steve did mention you Saturday but said he hadn't seen you, have you got any thing flying at the moment ? If you want a meet PM me for a phone number, I'm off work at the moment so got a bit of time on my hands.
Cheers Bob

[marktigere1]

Hi Bob

I fly (or did) at a sports field in Lawshall about 8 miles south of Bury.

At the moment I'm setting up a Shuttle for transplant to a scale jet ranger.

I also have a Trex 450 XL (CDE) which I piled into the ground a little while ago. Just need a new Gyro and she should be good to go.

Started flying in 1998 in Norwich and stopped in 2001. More interested in Scale than 3D but if I can get the Trex going, might start having a bash.

What have you flown?

Cheers

Mark

[trvo]

I echo the above, a 50 size will have a lot more power to bail you out of them iffy situations, the following are all good helis (in no particular order):

Raptor 50 - Cheap, flys well, common and spares are easy to get hold of providing the supplier gets them into the country...

Knight 50 Sport - The cheapest, nice stable heli with lots of potential. Skyline have lots of spares available.

Sceadu 50 - The dearest of the 3, nice heli but wears out the plastic head components quickly.

My personal preference after flying all 3 is the Knight 50 Sport, very stable and controllable, extremely cheap replacement parts which are of high quality. You would probably do best to buy the same heli as the other members of the local club are flying, they will be more interested in someone with the same model as them.

Trev

[robgt]

Hey Trev,
Are the Knight plastic head components more durable than the Sceadu plastic head components?

This topic is in full glare for me right now having worn out a metal upgrade component

Cheers,
Rob

[trvo]

Yes, the Knight components on the head are holding up strong and seem to be of good quality. The washout is plastic but they've machined this making it really strong. I've had a fair number of flights on mine now (just writing up the flight review) and I am _very_ happy with it. I have found that the red dampeners aren't up to my flying, the clear ones (that come with the kit) are spot on though...

Things I would change on the knight head:

- the plastic flybar carrier. It's rather flexible, but really doesn't notice in flight, haven't replaced this and it's holding up well. A stronger one might possibly put pressure on 'points' of the flybar.
- knight paddles, very snappy, either need smoothing on the leading edge or replacing with V's, latter preferred, I'm still using stock...

Trev

[Bob Stone]

Hi Bob

I fly (or did) at a sports field in Lawshall about 8 miles south of Bury.

At the moment I'm setting up a Shuttle for transplant to a scale jet ranger.

I also have a Trex 450 XL (CDE) which I piled into the ground a little while ago. Just need a new Gyro and she should be good to go.

Started flying in 1998 in Norwich and stopped in 2001. More interested in Scale than 3D but if I can get the Trex going, might start having a bash.

What have you flown?

Cheers

Mark

Though you might mean Lawshall i also used to fly there accationly although about 10 years ago, have had several Morleys,Concept, S/Baron, 50 Baron and 60 size Huey never shure who made the body though. Christmas is coming may be time for a new ship i think !!!!!

[Bob Stone]

Trev
Thanks for info, haven't had close look at a built raptor but they seem to be all the rage, did see a Sceado fly Saturday which was quite impressive but like the look of the Knight all though ive only seen pictures of it, are all the important parts metal ? used to get most parts i needed from Midlands Helicopters who's doing the best deals at the moment ? Bob.

[trvo]

Yep, all important parts are metal

The Raptors are all the rage because when they first came out they were the best performer, and so became popular. This exponentially grew due to recommendations but also blanked out other helis, this is why flying fields are flooded by them. They are great machines.

The Knight is a newcommer to the heli scene, hence the reason that you don't hear of them too much. I personally put this down as my fav was the Sceadu, but Ade forced me to fly his, the next day I ordered my Knight.

The best deal on the Knight Sport is from Mr Models in Bournmouth at the moment, Skyline also retail these. Not sure about Midlands, I stopped using them while ago.

Here's the Knight in action: http://media.putfile.com/Ade-Knight-Sport


EDIT: Knight Build Review almost complete.

Trev

[Steve]

Cheers for the sentiments Bob, and Mark, just call me when you want to come up the field - I trust you've still got my number.

I've been working away from home for a few days so haven't been able to get online.

As for training helis - we've got 3 sceadu 50s between us at the club - you saw mine go last weekend which is absolutely bog-standard. The other chap's Sceadus are both somewhat upgraded, but then he's the one into 3D flying.

We also have one Raptor 30 at the club which is owned by a learner. It's a nice learning and the chap also has a scuttle.

Another bloke has got a 30 sized Huey with Scuttle mechanics, and we've also got 2 Milleniums, a 3DNT, an Xcel Stratos, TRex 450 and Trex 600 between us. The club also does planes equally as much as helis, although at this time of year the airstrip gets heavily messed up with worm casts, so only the most over-powered or 'chuck' planes can really fly.

I would recommend a Sceadu for learning with us, only because between us, we are very experienced about how they work, and understand the mechanics well. The Raptor is just as good a machine for learning on, but we just have less experience with them.

Bob - just found this, you might be interested? -> http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/classi...php?product=39

Cheers.