Raptor resurection

[trillian]

Wow, that pipe is seriously shiney now! It's a Zimmerman, which is a good brand.

[electricsceadu]

the 9253 is ok
don't worry about the buzzing from it
but make sure the tail control rod id free to move and the tail assemble and tail pitch slider is free

[Mark_T]

The carbon blades will be great, but I would seriously think about leaving them off for the first few flights and stick with the woodies until you know you are not going to destroy them as it only takes a slight over-reaction and your nice carbons will be destroyed on impact.

[w3bbo]

There's a good chance the woodies could be warped due to the heli being stood for a couple of years. Appreciate the advice all the same.

[Delarado]

Check them - I'd hate to take off on a maiden flight only to ruin some posh blades!

[w3bbo]

I don't know how! The plan is to take it to a local club and get an expert to give the heli a thorough examination to ensure everything is how it should be help me sort out the trim etc etc. Hopefully I'll learn a thing or too as well!

[w3bbo]

As promised, here's quite a large update:

While waiting for some bits and pieces to come through the post I stripped most of the heli down and re-applied blue threadlock where directed. I changed all of the Servo's to Futaba 3152's save for the tail which as suggested was fine. Hooked them all up to the rx and everything appears to be working as it should. While I had the servo's out I decided to tidy the wiring up:





With the battery and rx in situ I first wrapped them in styrofoam then sponge held in place by thick tie-wraps and finished off with a velcro strap which will hopefully give a little protection should I happen to nose dive!

[w3bbo]

I bought the v2 body as the v1 body is ugly (imo) at the best of times but mine was yellowing and had the stickers peeling so a refresh wasn't going to hurt. Trimming the body was easy enough but the carbon canopy was a royal PITA!



I was quite taken with the black and white look but I have been told it's better to have bright colours as the heli will be much easier to see so I got a decal set from Hivisdecals.com:



They went on relatively easy although needed soapy water to get aligned correctly. I got the new skids of the 'bay. Sadly I couldn't get matching green ones but I reckon they go quite nice regardless.
While I was on the bay I got a Y cable as my RX only had 7 channels and I wanted the battery indicator. I couldn't figure out where to place the indicator so I shaved some plastic off the inside of the body which allowed the battery indicator to shine through:



I've not fitted the new Ripmax carbon blades yet but I did get some Carbon tail blades fitted which were kindly donated by Si Goodchild (thanks again m8).



All in all its taking shape and has educated me a little. I've still only scraped the surface of rc heli's but a little project like this has set me on the way.....now to find a club to help me set it all up and fly the thing!



Thanks to all who have posted here and helped me get the Raptor where it is today. What a great forum! I'll post back when I have had it checked over and (hopefully) started up!

[sd330ml]

lookin good

[Si Goodchild]

Looking good!

[w3bbo]

Aye it's coming along. Next up...Phoenix. FMS just doesn't cut it lol.

[maxw]

you should see that ok

[trillian]

That's looking good! I'm almost sure I have seen some lime green skid struts somewhere, if I run into them I'll let you know.

This was my Raptor 30 about two years ago;

[w3bbo]

Haha! V.nice!

I gotta spoil the look of mine and put those training legs on . Still better to look ugly and in one piece I guess!

[RotorBlade]

Haha! V.nice!

Still better to look ugly and in one piece I guess!

Most definitely!
Cracking revival - looks almost new.