Rave 3D

[robgt]

I've been lucky enough to be loaned a Rave 3D to play with from Midland helicopters - top guys
I have all the electrics fitted and it is now ready for linkage adjustments and Tx setup.
There are some nice features on this heli, lots of slots to help with mounting things using velcro straps, a lovely shaft driven tail assembly and a totally slop free head.
I have a feeling it's going to be a great heli to fly, and I hope to test fly it this weekend, if the damn rain can manage to stop!!!
Here's a few pics before electrics install.
Cheers,
Rob

[Pipistrelli]

The tail gearbox casing looks very chunky, will it make it tail heavy?

[robgt]

The whole heli is very light. With the pack sat on the nose and the Scorpion motor up top and in front of the main shaft, I expect it will balance very nicely.

More pics to follow...
Cheers,
Rob

[Smoothound]

I think this is what I would have gone for if I hadn't got an Outrage.

The main things that put me off it was the Outrage appeared 1st, possible cost of the kit and parts and parts availability.

[jiberjaber]

Not sure about the tail servo mount, if you need to re-tension the belt or something like that you'd have to fiddle with the push rod a little maybe... not a major concern, knowing my crash rate I would be more worried about snapping off teh servo mounting tabs LOL

Any news on price?

[robgt]

It's got a shaft driven tail
Those mounting brackets look a bit weak, but believe me, that tail servo is on there rock solid.

The mounting system allows you to fit any size tail servo on there too, as the bottom mount is moveable to suit servo size.

Cheers,
Rob

[jimheli]

I've been lucky enough to be loaned a Rave 3D to play with from Midland helicopters - top guys
I have all the electrics fitted and it is now ready for linkage adjustments and Tx setup.
There are some nice features on this heli, lots of slots to help with mounting things using velcro straps, a lovely shaft driven tail assembly and a totally slop free head.
I have a feeling it's going to be a great Heli to fly, and I hope to test fly it this weekend, if the damn rain can manage to stop!!!
Here's a few pics before electrics install.
Cheers,
Rob

yep been waiting on this one , will be nice to get a report on how the heli flies, can't wait . looks very nice

[Charlie Cave]

The tail being shaft driven kinda worries me, i will really like to see how it goes, the whole model looks awsome but you are always going to catch a tail on a 450 how can we be sure you are not going to strip teeth?
Charlie

[moonmanflyer]

Looks a really nice heli, will like to see one up close and see how it flys, would be the only heli i would replace my 450 with as i could transfer all my kit.

[3dbasher]

oooooh rob, mate i love you.... now gimme your rave

[jiberjaber]

It's got a shaft driven tail
Those mounting brackets look a bit weak, but believe me, that tail servo is on there rock solid.

The mounting system allows you to fit any size tail servo on there too, as the bottom mount is moveable to suit servo size.

Cheers,
Rob

Of course daft me! I saw the torque tube and thought, yeah a torque tube, then started thinking of it as a Trex!... its been a long day

[robgt]

The tail sits a little higher off the floor than the trex450 so it will hopefully be less of an issue. Flight testing when the weather allows - it's now setup and ready to go

Some more pics to add, just getting them ready now.
Cheers,
Rob

[jimheli]

great stuff rob whats the overall quality like do you think cheers jim

[robgt]

It's looking very nice. There is a fraction of slop in the head (not completely solid) but it's minor and it's in the lower mixing arms where there is a fraction of lateral movement (around the shaft direction) but no vertial play at all, which is the one that counts, so all being well it will be solid. I have a feeling this is down to the delrin washout base into which the arms are secured - it could be that a .5mm shim would remove the play altogether?

The heli feels very stiff and is quite light fully laden ready for flight (not weighed it, it's just how it feels at the moment).

It also balances extremely well on the balance test (hold blade grips at 90 degrees to the heli and lift the heli onto its side) Neither nose nor tail drop suggesting it's balanced spot on, Again, flight testing will tell for sure!

The boom is approximately one inch longer than the 450 (comparing them side by side with the main masts lined up together) which is why it can swing 350mm blades.

It comes with Radix 325mm blades in the kit, and I have a set of Rotortech 350mm blades to try too. We'll see how they affect the flight time as it only runs 3S and there's little chance of running 4S unless a 9 tooth pinion can be found for the 3.2mm Scorpion motor output shaft.

Pics are almost ready for uploading
Cheers,
Rob

[robgt]

Lots of new pics
Cheers,
Rob