Death of an OS37

[gareth08]

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I'm quite bemused with this!!!

Considering the money i've spent replacing bearings, and a piston pin, the engine got about 15 flights and then this evening during fast forward flight at about 30ft height - it let go VERY SUDDENLY.

After a quick browning of the pants and a realization that indeed there was no noise coming from my model which was travelling at speed, i carried out my first autorotation in anger!!! The bloody raptor 30 swings around into wind when the tail rotor stops spinning, so i wound up doing the auto facing me at 45 degrees. I think it was more luck than judgement to be honest - lets just say that phoenix flight sim has just paid for itself

I initailly thought the colling fan had loosened and slid up the crank shaft as surprisingly the engine wouldn't turn over, only when i took it out of the heli, and put some after run oil in it, did i realise it had a GAPING hole in the casing. The con rod fractured and went straight out the bottom of the engine. Fairly terminal when you look at the bigger picture, but hey - at least the heli will fly another day. Gareth 1 - Gravity 0

So if anyone is looking for any spare OS37 parts on the cheap, i'm your man!!

[jamiem]

Thats no good! I had a crank snap on me in an OS32 way back when i was flying/crashing a raptor 30. That happened very suddenly mid flight too. Definately time for a new one there, or shoe-horn a 50 in there

[gareth08]

Just looking on the web at a new cheapish replacement.

Any opinions appreciated.

There's the TT39 - which i've had 'issues' with in the past!

Irvine 39??

Then there's the Toki 40???? - never heard of this make, i'm guessing it's a cheap chinese manufactured engine - in the 'you pays your money and takes your chance' category

Just can't bring myself to forking out a fair bit of dosh for another OS, after what happened lol

[Dedcalm]

Personally I would still stay with OS or an Align OS if you went 50 sized. My old OS32 never let me down - not a single dead stick over its entire life! As yet my 50 Hyper is the same although currently in the oven at 200C for a bearing change

[SRH990]

Then there's the Toki 40???? - never heard of this make, i'm guessing it's a cheap chinese manufactured engine - in the 'you pays your money and takes your chance' category

Just can't bring myself to forking out a fair bit of dosh for another OS, after what happened lol

The Toki 50 is made in Japan, I believe, imported by MacGregor but I've heard rumours the company has gone bust (Toki, not MacGregor!).

Although the OS is more expensive, it should last longer.

[Steve]

There's 3 or 4 TT39s at our club that have come into service via ARTF Raptor 30s and they've all been faultlessly reliable. Ok, yes maybe the engine isn't as refined as the OS37 but the heli is only designed as a learner, and with the TT39 it will take you through hovering and well into the flight envelope including hovering (both ways up) fast forwards, inverted forwards and backwards, gyro permitting.

The TT39 is cheap and does what it needs to do quite adequately on 15-20 % nitro fuel. Most pilots quickly move onto 50 size helis, so consider your options and future plans before splashing the cash. It's already been suggested that you but a 50 engine and upgrade the main gear etc.

[gareth08]

Cheers guys,

I'm looking for a cheap replacement 30 really, as a spare heli; as i'm in the market in the new year for a trex 600/700.

The raptor 30 has been an awesome heli that i've learnt the ropes on, so i'm not really looking to spend a fortune on it.