truemax

Hi,
I just bought and fly Raven 50 for about a week. I found that this aircraft is really stable. I have not completed the engine break-in yet.

I found that there are very little post regarding Raven 50 in the internet. I understand that Raven 50 is very robust and probably there is not much question to ask on the internet and everybody just flying it happyly

Anyway, let have discussion and information sharing about Raven 50, I'm sure it will be very usefull for all of us. For the start if you all don't have any issue with it, let share what is thing we like most about Raven 50.

I have started my blog jotting my experience on Raven 50 as my Nitro Powered RC Helicopter.. check out http://rotormax.blogspot.com , feel free to give any comments or suggestion.

Thank you.

raymondx1232

A friend of mine just bough one he has not flown it so far. so I though that would get one, I saw some videos I was impressed maybe I will by my self one for my birth day coming up soon what type of motor gyro and servos are you using

rotordoc

I have one with well over 300 flights on it and it has proven to be a realtively maintenance free hot performer.

truemax

I am using 4 cheapo servos which came with DX7. they should be enough for me who just learning to hover and figure 8.

Rotordoc, nice to hear that this bird really fly well.

jester4

If those servos are DS821's, then I would suggest you stop using them immediately and save some cash for some better servos. Those servos have a bad track record of failure, also, if you go on the spektrum webiste, there is a warning about using them in a 50 size nitro. Personally I would not use them in ANY part of the heli (even throttle), as there have been reported failures in that location as well...

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

Dont do it. The cost of a crash failed due to a failed servo will meet or exceed the cost of some decent servos.

JR warns against using them due to vibration problems, flying style has nothing to do with it.

Human_Enigma

I have about 4 tanks through my new raven, I cant wait till the OS 50 hyper is broke in enough to lean it out and really let loose with it.. gy 611 Jr 8717's Curtis youngblood ATG v3 Setting it up was easy, same head as my hawk.

rotordoc

HUman Enigma,

Love that paint job/color Scheme ...what paints did you use on that plastic or is that carbon theme form stickers?

You'll love it.

truemax

Yes that this the cheapo servo I am using now, 4 of them!

I am planning to change to other servo but others will be much more expensive. Any particular suggestion on the servo? Need a robust but not expensive type.

thank you.

rotordoc

There is a great forum specifically for the Century nitro helis here:

http://www.runryder.com/helicopter/f48p1/

Also another one for their electric Swift series here.

http://www.runryder.com/helicopter/f77p1/

And a lot of threads on their Predator Gas powerd heli here:

http://www.runryder.com/helicopter/f51p1/

and their scale helis here:

http://www.runryder.com/helicopter/f43p1/

and a lot of threads on their Swift electrics here also:

http://www.rcgroups.com/electric-heli-talk-17/

Human_Enigma

Thanks, Its carbon fiber vinyl v3 you can find it all over the web. it looks just like the real stuff, all the kids are plastering it over their cars and whatnot. I paid about 15 bucks for a 2 foot square sheet, I just dont know how well it will hold up on the milk jug canopy, so far its doing fine, only time will tell..

truemax

Hi.. it has been about 4 months me with the Raven. I had 1 minor crash and 1 major. The major crash happened about 5 weeks ago. Hoping for normal flying again this weekend.

With the major crash, I still can reuse the lower frame. Upper frame is not impacted.
Replaced the tail boom, skids, ENGINE, fuel tank. Doing saving to get the main blade replacement



More details here:
[link=http://rotormax.blogspot.com/2009/01/damage-assessment.html]http://rotormax.blogspot.com/2009/01/damage-assessment.html[/link]
[link=http://rotormax.blogspot.com/2009/02/open-up-engine.html]http://rotormax.blogspot.com/2009/02/open-up-engine.html[/link]
[link=http://rotormax.blogspot.com/2009/01/damage-assessment.html]http://rotormax.blogspot.com/2009/01/damage-assessment.html[/link]

The Raven is very robust. Not much cost if not because of the engine and main blades! Changing the engine and fuel tank also very easy due to Upper/lower frame separation.

Happy flying to all!

Human_Enigma

Ouch, Sorry to hear about your mishap fellow Raven owner. And good luck on getting her airworty soon!

truemax

Had good fly last weekend. 2 tanks without any problem. Just need to tune the engine a bit more.

more details at my blog, http://rotormax.blogspot.com

Human_Enigma

Update on my Raven progress since the last post november 2008.. 8 gallons, Carbon side frames, reactor x, 4200 lipo, and skookum360 on modified century metal head. If you are considering flybarless, I Highly recommend it. It has turned this helicopter into a seriously awesome machine. It flips and rolls like my 500 size electric now.

rotordoc1

I love the Raven that I have been flying for a number of years now (worn out two motors!). It has been the best 50 I have I also found it was easy to tweak this stock head for hot 3D performance (different flybar paddles and a change to the more tunable bell mixer from the Predator) made it really snappy.

I just completed their new NX 50 and have had it out over the last two weekends....If you like the Raven you will like the NX50 even more. They have kept all the systems I really liked in the Raven - e.g. the great rotor head, 4mm flybar system, washout unit and swashplate, the smooth and maintenance free two stage power system, the super torque tube system and triple bearing tail rotor system. But they have updated the few items I think could have been updated, such as the lower mainframe and radio tray which are now reconfigured to give more room for the radio components and made of G-10 instead of aluminum. The eCCPM system now has the servos up front and working through double bearinged bellcranks (much less stress on the servo gears in a crash). It now has a simpler start system, which eliminates all the on board start shaft components and uses a one-way bearing in the center of the fan. It now comes with a new, more modern looking canopy that I really find attractive. Two thumbs up in my view. And all still at a great low price.

rotor09

Yes, that NX50 is next on my list:

Here is a youtube video of one in action. This guy is a lot better on the sticks then I am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b75pt...layer_embedded

truemax

Hi there,

I had problem with the original Raven's fan few times, then I changed to the metal fan which I guess the same with the NX version. Yes, I need to  use different starter shaft as well. Full story at my blog if you are interested.


I wonder what are other parts upgrade for Raven to  make it an NX.

Rgds,
::truemax

rotordoc1

truemax

You can read all about it and check the links inthe top right for other info and pictures here:

http://www.centuryheli.com/products/...?currentid=598

rotor09

You will also find a lot of info on it in this thread:

http://runryder.com/helicopter/t514806p1/

Human_Enigma

and to top it all off my first try at custom paint.

rotordoc1

That is very nice. I love the colors, because they will be very visible in all kinds of natural lighting, from overcast to sunny.

rcnats

My Feedback: (56)

I just finished building my Raven 50. I look forward to hovering / flying it. I'm at the point of selecting a gyro. I see many brands with Head Holding being the biggest selling point. I'm open for suggestions and why you like it. I'm looking at hovering, general flying, etc. Not quite ready for "3D" yet. Your input is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Human_Enigma

pending your budget, always a good start for beginners is the gy 401/9257 combo by futaba, this is a very reliable and easy to use heading hold gyro that will take you quite far until you progress into agressive backwards flight. then on the top of most lists are the Spartan ds 760, Futaba GY520 , both of these are rather user friendly if you read the manual through and will take you far beyond your flying capabilities with superior holding power in any demand when backed by a fast high frame rate digital tail servo. My advice to anyone starting out is to buy the best you can afford. In the long run will pay off by not having to upgrade as your skills progress.

rotor09

For you Raven lovers, here is a video of one of my friends flying his:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI7nQ...eature=channel

I really like his style of 3D