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All Forums >> RC Helicopters >> Century - Predator, Hawk IV, Falcon, Raven >> What is the difference between
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What is the difference between - 3/12/2008 1:54:56 AM   
Props4ever


 

Posts: 1498
Joined: 8/3/2005
From: Canada, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		HI,

I'm new to helis and i just prrchased a Falcon 46, like like to know the differences between Falcons to hawks to ravens and also models numbers as such, I, II, III and SE...


Thanks
       Post #: 1

RE: What is the difference between - 3/12/2008 4:41:22 AM   
syclic



Posts: 1030
Joined: 2/8/2002
From: rural, AB, CANADA
Status: offline 		I hope you did not pay too much for the Falcon 46. It is over 10 years old and a far cry from any of the current birds mentioned, other then the basic design layout, almost every component si different from even the basic Hawk Pro. In fact. About the only components I can think that your Falcon 46 would have in common with the current 50 size Raven would be the tail boom, tail rotor gearbox, tail rotor output shaft and tail rotor gear set. And in common with the Hawk Pro, would be the tail gears, gearbox, output shaft and tail rotor.

Go the the Century web site, download the mauals for each in their Customer Support section and look up the differences. I am not sure if the manual for the old Falcon 46 is even still there.

In fact there is substantial differences even between the previous Hawk Sport and the current Hawk Pro in the 30 size, and the same for the differences between the current Hawk Pro and the Raven 50.

Most other manufacturers will change the names of their helis when they make as many changes and improvements. e.g the Hirobo Shuttle to the Sceado to the Evo or the JR Ergo to the Venture to the Airskipper, MinAir X-Cell, Fury, Tempest etc.. I wish Century would do the same, it would lead to much less confusion.

(in reply to Props4ever)
       Post #: 2

RE: What is the difference between - 3/13/2008 8:31:17 PM   
Props4ever


 

Posts: 1498
Joined: 8/3/2005
From: Canada, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		Hi,

No didn't paid too high for it as it was missing gyro, reciever and battery but it came as RTF with carbon blades, inozided fittings, fan and updated pats in the head. Otherwise then theses it has problems of its own, i think i was taken on the ride as being newbie on this deal as when my friend and i took it apart to check it internally after the purchase, main upper left frame is cracked open from one point, feathuring shaft is slight bent, as same for tail boom, clutch and clutch bell were worn out, one shaft for main gear is worn out and now i'm in limbo to get some kind of compentation form the seller. While this is going on i came across couple of used falcon airframes as they look identical from out side but i'm hesistant to get them as they are used too as parts source to repair my heli. I went through the manual on century website and took the part numbers for these parts to order them but price is going to be higher then half of what i paid for my one, so that is why i asked. I was also told the main difference between Raven and falcon is 50sz engine and length of tail boom as it can use 600mm blades vs falcon uses only 550mm blades.


Sammy

(in reply to syclic)
       Post #: 3

RE: What is the difference between - 3/13/2008 10:47:57 PM   
syclic



Posts: 1030
Joined: 2/8/2002
From: rural, AB, CANADA
Status: offline 		Sammy

All versions of the Falcons (Falcon 46, Falcon III & Falcon SE) came with the same long boom as the Raven 50. The Falcon 46 and III came with 600mm wood blades and the SE came with Fiberglass/Carbon Fiber composite 600mm blades.

They also all came with motor mounts and gearing for the OS 46 engines (Falcon 46 & III) or 46/50 engines (Falcon SE).

None of the Falcons came with mounts and gearing for 32 size engines or with the shorter Hawk booms and 550mm blades.

The current HAWK PRO is a far superior heli then either the older Falon 46 or Falcon III. Equipped with the current OS37SXH or Toki 40H engine, the Hawk Pro would also far outperform (flight performance , precision of components and lower maintenance) either of these older Falcon 46 or Falcon III equipped with the OS46FXH engine.

As the Hawk Pro sells new for only $210.00, I would not consider getting a Falcon 46 or Falcon III airframe for much more then $100.00. And all its components would have to be in good shape.

Now the Falcon SE, is a totally different story as it is more like an mCCPM version of the Raven 50.

< Message edited by syclic -- 3/13/2008 11:03:46 PM >

(in reply to Props4ever)
       Post #: 4

RE: What is the difference between - 3/16/2008 6:55:28 PM   
helicub81


 

Posts: 12
Joined: 1/2/2007
From: , CA, USA
Status: offline 		Is there a model on Realflight g3.5 that flies like the hawk? And what is the difference between the hawk and the Raptor 30? Which one is better?

(in reply to syclic)
       Post #: 5

RE: What is the difference between - 3/17/2008 2:49:42 AM   
syclic



Posts: 1030
Joined: 2/8/2002
From: rural, AB, CANADA
Status: offline 		That is a bit like asking which is better a Chevy or a Ford. But I think the Hawk is better because:

- it has a better clutch/clutch bell & clutch system, that when installed properly onto the engines cranks shaft seems to last forever. The clutches last longer as do the clutch bell support bearings.

- I like its start system that has the start shaft separate from the clutch system after the engine starts - so its' support bearings also last forever

- I like the design of the rotor head (much like the MinAir X-Cell heads that I flew for many years). Even when using the most unstable main blades, you cannot seem to get the head to flutter.

- I like the tank location - almost centered under the mainshaft (little cg chanbe as you burn through a tank of fuel.

- I prefer the swashplate as it goes forever without developing any slop

- I prefer the washout hub as it has two oilite riders in it so it to seems to go forever without developing any slop.

- I have always preferred a shaft driven tail - and it has a very good one. Due to its' dog-bone design it survives crashes very well also.

- it is lighter so one gets a great power to weight ratio with an OS37 or Toki 40. This also makes it a great heli to practice autos with as it results in a very light disc loading.

- I like the large fuel tank that results in longer flights

There are other reasons also, but that will give you an idea.

I find the engine may take 10 minutes or so longer to remove and to re-install, but because the clutches and clutch bearings last so long, you should only have to remove it after many 100's of flights, when the motor bearings need replacing.

(in reply to helicub81)
       Post #: 6

RE: What is the difference between - 3/17/2008 2:55:07 AM   
syclic



Posts: 1030
Joined: 2/8/2002
From: rural, AB, CANADA
Status: offline 		Realflight or any other simulator.

How ANY heli flies is directly related to how one sets it up - e.g. with a lower head speed, softer collective and softer cyclic for training or for all out 3D with a much higher head speed, hotter collective and hotter cyclic. The main difference with simulators is the heli shape.

So if you use any of the 30 size nitro trainer type helis in any simulator, you will find it will fly nuch like a Hawk set up for training. Use any of their 3D nitro helis and you will find they will fly much like the Hawk set up for 3D.

(in reply to syclic)
       Post #: 7

RE: What is the difference between - 3/18/2008 1:53:47 AM   
helicub81


 

Posts: 12
Joined: 1/2/2007
From: , CA, USA
Status: offline 		What do you mean "how the hawk is set up"? Do u mean like how rich the settings are and stuff or like the position of the paddles, etc...? Also, how i've been wondering how you break in an engine. I drive rc cars and the way to break in is by running it. When the engine stops stalling and the smoke turns blue and stuff, that means it is broken in. But what if the helicopter stalls in midair? how do u break in a rc helicopter? Is the hawk capiable of 3D or is it primarily a trainer helicopter? I've youtubed the hawk and all the pilots do basic manuvers. Lastly, i know this question is kinda dependent, but i've flown mini electric helicopters, and if you crash, nothing really happens; Am i correct to assume that the most minor crash for nitro helicopters would result in a huge catastrophie?

(in reply to syclic)
       Post #: 8

RE: What is the difference between - 3/18/2008 4:13:26 AM   
syclic



Posts: 1030
Joined: 2/8/2002
From: rural, AB, CANADA
Status: offline 		helicub81

Many of the good helis today, can be set-up (collective/throttle for low, medium or high head speeds) and with various cyclic amounts, such that they can be docile trainers or hot 3D performers....and anything in between. The Hawk is one of these. Due to its' great low price, many may erroneously think it only good for training and sport aerobatics. But when set for a higher head speed, it becomes a very agile heli.

Here is a youtube video of one so set-up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwJrP1RHiYY

I always break-in my heli engines in flight with a relatively rich setting for the first 10 flights or so. IMHO, one of the hardest skills to learn when starting in nitro/glow fuel helis is the art of tuning motors. The heli motors tune a lot differently then airplane or R/C car engines simply because their needles are set at the same constant high engine speed from about 30% carb opening to 100% opening.

With cars and airplanes, the carb openings slow the engine and speed it up from a low to high throttle barrel opening. Consequently the fuel draw varies accordingly. Not so the heli engine, as one sets the throttle to collective curves in such a way to maintain the same rotor speed, one gets the same engine speed at the different throttle barrel openings. So the fuel draw capability always remains high.

< Message edited by syclic -- 3/18/2008 4:21:39 AM >

(in reply to helicub81)
       Post #: 9

RE: What is the difference between - 3/19/2008 3:59:28 AM   
helicub81


 

Posts: 12
Joined: 1/2/2007
From: , CA, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for all the info. I'm glad to see that the helicopter i want can do some 3D even though i probably wont be doing that any time soon I had one last question. U know the huge battery you plug the starter in to start the helicopter? Is that a recharagable battery or is that one of those car batteries? Thanks

Helicub81

(in reply to syclic)
       Post #: 10

RE: What is the difference between - 3/19/2008 9:04:03 PM   
syclic



Posts: 1030
Joined: 2/8/2002
From: rural, AB, CANADA
Status: offline 		You can drive the starter with a number of different rechargeable batteries, 12V Lead acid (car battery), 12V gel cell hobby battery, 12 cell (14.8V) NiCd or NiMh battery packs, or 4 cell Lipo (14.8V) packs.

If you have any more questions, I suggest you start a new thread. As we have drifted away from the subject of the original thread.

< Message edited by syclic -- 3/19/2008 9:13:14 PM >

(in reply to helicub81)
       Post #: 11

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