Caliber 30
09-09-2002, 12:47 PM
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I flew mine for the first time this weekend. Very nice heli, very quiet and smooth.
Built mine stock, used 9202 servos and a 401/9253 Gyro. No problems after 6 flights to report. The only thing negative I could say to this point is the slop in the control system(swash/bellcranks). I think some of it can be repaired to tighten it up a little bit. Tail rotor has no slop at all.
Overall I'm very pleased with it! The canopy only requires a few mods to get access to the needle valves and fuel lines NO BIG DEAL!
Built mine stock, used 9202 servos and a 401/9253 Gyro. No problems after 6 flights to report. The only thing negative I could say to this point is the slop in the control system(swash/bellcranks). I think some of it can be repaired to tighten it up a little bit. Tail rotor has no slop at all.
Overall I'm very pleased with it! The canopy only requires a few mods to get access to the needle valves and fuel lines NO BIG DEAL!
09-09-2002, 01:27 PM
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I noticed some slop myself, however when I looked closer, the movement went back to my servos (standard). I figure that's the weak link. I'll upgrade the servos after I survive 10-20 crashes. 
09-09-2002, 01:39 PM
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The slop on mine goes to the bell cranks. The 3mm bolt does not fit tightly through the bearings, I might lock tight the bolt into the bearings. Not sure if that will work.
09-09-2002, 02:17 PM
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Yep, CCPM on mine. The heli is great! The only thing I changed on mine was adding some socket-head screws. They use philips head screws through-out.
Great flying heli!
Great flying heli!
09-09-2002, 02:30 PM
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Yes on ccpm. Overall, impressed with the quality. Can only compare it to my old Concept, and the local raptors and nexi...
I had an issue with the TR servo, until I realized I could screw it in from the back side of the mount (duh!). That way the servo wheel sits lower and the tr linkage rod is perfectly straight with the tail boom.
I had an issue with the TR servo, until I realized I could screw it in from the back side of the mount (duh!). That way the servo wheel sits lower and the tr linkage rod is perfectly straight with the tail boom.
09-09-2002, 03:01 PM
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I'm using the 9CAP in the Caliber. The other thing I changed was to eliminate the Z-bend on the tail-rotor pushrod. Using Quick 550 carbon blades.
The heli flies very well compared to the JR Venture. Much lighter than the Venture and it really shows in the performance.
The heli flies very well compared to the JR Venture. Much lighter than the Venture and it really shows in the performance.
09-10-2002, 08:23 PM
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MINE WAS GREAT UNTILL HAD A DUM THUMB MOMENT IN A STALL TURN AND SMASHED IT TO THE GROUND TONIGHT.TRYING TO FIND PARTS AT MOMENT.
I WOULD SAY IT WAS BETTER THAN MY RAPTOR.
I WOULD SAY IT WAS BETTER THAN MY RAPTOR.
09-11-2002, 03:50 AM
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Hi
I have about 3 or so gallons through mine it fly's good for a 30 using ccpm.
Has anyone tried to stiffen up the servo tray area yet. Grab your blades near the grips with the electornics off and twist them to change the pitch up and down and watch the tray move up and down. I am going to glue a couple 1/2" hard wood strips up against the servo tray and the frame I think this will help.
What blades are you guys using on yours? I just ordered a set of Mavrikk carbons to try, I was using the glass Mavrikk's until I broke them practicing autos today.
Fred
I have about 3 or so gallons through mine it fly's good for a 30 using ccpm.
Has anyone tried to stiffen up the servo tray area yet. Grab your blades near the grips with the electornics off and twist them to change the pitch up and down and watch the tray move up and down. I am going to glue a couple 1/2" hard wood strips up against the servo tray and the frame I think this will help.
What blades are you guys using on yours? I just ordered a set of Mavrikk carbons to try, I was using the glass Mavrikk's until I broke them practicing autos today.
Fred
09-11-2002, 11:27 AM
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Fred,
I'm using the Mavrikk carbons on my Caliber, they work great. I have not noticed the flex in the servo tray area, have to check it out tonight.
I'm using the Mavrikk carbons on my Caliber, they work great. I have not noticed the flex in the servo tray area, have to check it out tonight.
09-11-2002, 12:27 PM
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Hey Fred,
I found the same problem with the flexing of the servo tray in my Caliber 30 and built a set of frame braces that took care of the problem.
I could alter the pitch of the main blades just by grabbing the servo tray and flexing it with my hand. I had a noticable "wobble" in the cyclic controls that went away with the addition of the braces.
Here is a link to my little website if you would like to see the braces I devised. Just go to the Caliber 30 button on the left and then to the frame brace link on the Caliber page.
http://www.valiantakitas.com/hobby/hobby.html
Hope this helps,
Brian Lane
Terre Haute, IN
I found the same problem with the flexing of the servo tray in my Caliber 30 and built a set of frame braces that took care of the problem.
I could alter the pitch of the main blades just by grabbing the servo tray and flexing it with my hand. I had a noticable "wobble" in the cyclic controls that went away with the addition of the braces.
Here is a link to my little website if you would like to see the braces I devised. Just go to the Caliber 30 button on the left and then to the frame brace link on the Caliber page.
http://www.valiantakitas.com/hobby/hobby.html
Hope this helps,
Brian Lane
Terre Haute, IN
09-11-2002, 01:11 PM
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I also notice the flex in mine, but it does not seem to effect it when flying, of course I am not doing much more the hovering. I really like mine and wouldnt get anything else for a 30 sized machine.
09-11-2002, 01:39 PM
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The brace looks like a good idea, simple to install. I have about a gallon through mine and have not noticed any problems to this point. I did notice the flex in the tray, off to the hobby shop to buy some tubing, thanks for the tip Brian!
Piper
Piper
09-12-2002, 12:47 AM
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As far as the glow starter goes, I use a McDaniels Ni-Starter and it's easy to use by reaching my fingers through the "mouth".
The Ni-Starter uses just a twist to lock so it may me easier to use than others for this application.
If you're dead set on using a remote adapter, you'll have to find a place to mount it. As you've realized, there aren't many good places to mount any extras.
Brian Lane
Terre Haute, IN
The Ni-Starter uses just a twist to lock so it may me easier to use than others for this application.
If you're dead set on using a remote adapter, you'll have to find a place to mount it. As you've realized, there aren't many good places to mount any extras.
Brian Lane
Terre Haute, IN
09-12-2002, 01:11 AM
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Here is a couple of pictures with some mods that I have made to the Caliber. You can see the braces I installed to support the servo tray and remove all of the play. I installed the two side braces like Brian did to his heli, I found those braces alone did not take out all of the play. In addition I added the from brace. The front brace mounts to the front of the tray and down to the landing gear. With the addition of the front brace the play is totally removed. The front brace is visible in the mouth section of the canopy but is acceptable.
In this picture you can see my remote glow plug installation located behind the tank. Perfect location in my opinion.
In this picture you can see my remote glow plug installation located behind the tank. Perfect location in my opinion.
09-15-2002, 02:54 PM
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I put a header tank under the main tank but didn't like it because the engine would lean out quite a bit as it got down to the header plus it would go rather rich inverted. I went back to only the main tank. I'm still looking for a good way to mount a header tank,,, just haven't came up with it yet.
Later,,,basmntdweller
Later,,,basmntdweller