Please
You are getting very very defenive.
flmgrip

Post was out of the box.
He did not put down the Rappy ,but made pionts that are very valid.
I do not think he is looking for any "I just think you are suffering from a serious case of buyers remorse and this is the only cure."
From what I am saying and I think he is saying , is what alot of people are saying about the rappy. Wow what a tounge tie.
His piont of veiw is right try not to take offence.

I have 2 Raptors I fly and while there is no way they can compare to my TSKs or my X-Cell they are a good machine for the money. One of mine is completely stock except for KSJ paddles and glass blades and will do 3D all day with no problems at all. Yes, I did use a link resizing tool when putting the new links on as they were tight. I'd rather have them start tight that be loose. Both machines still have the stock links on them after 2 years of flying.

One of mine has the Quick UK swash and a metal washout base. This is much tighter than the stock setup. It does hover and fly better in FF than the other but doing aerobatics I don't notice a lot of difference.

I just helped a fellow flier set up his Raptor 50 and other than having to size the links it went together without a hitch. I will admit that the TT metal swash isn't worth the money though.

I'm not saying the Raptor is the best out there just that it is a good value for the money. I have them and know their idiosyncrasy's so I'll stick with them for a while. I would like to try a new Hawk SE though. I hear they are a nice machine for the money.

My view on CCPM is that is just another way of doing things. I don't feel it's an advantage or disadvantage over a good standard mixing system. A good mechanical mixing system is better than a poor CCPM system. That's just my view and I'm sure others will disagree.

Osmax2 there are 100's probably more like 1000's of Raptors out there flying very well and performing 3D in stock out of the box configuration. This is my main gripe with you people, your telling the world it can't be done which is a lie.

It would appear your goal is to bash ThunderTiger products and push the Caliber30, Venture30 and Fury50 with the coveted mystical CCPM.

The reason I'm offended is because I have the difficult part in this exchange, you get to say things like the Raptor is a nice helicopter but needs upgrades to fly properly. I on the other hand feel compelled to point out that this is not true that it will fly just fine built with what comes in the kit. You on the other hand make wild statements like the Raptor is doomed unless they make it CCPM cabable, I have to point out that CCPM is not for everyone and that it does have some short coming's if you use cheap servo's. flmgrip complains that the links are to tight on the balls. I tell him to replace them with Rocket City links and resize the links to get a good fit, he complains that he shouldn't have to do that well he's probably right but JR makes the Ball link sizing tool for a reason and it was not because ThunderTiger links were to tight it's just something that you have to do if you want your control system to operate smoothly. There are a lot of people out there that use Rocket City links on their helicopters and its not just ThunderTiger customers.

flmgrip has some problems with his kit it sounds like the swashplate is sloppy this happens and I'm sure Ace will take care of it unless he bought the kit outside the States. All I can say about the instructions is I was able to build mine using them and a little commonsense, they really do need to update them though.
In the end I agree with ThunderTiger the Raptor will fly 3D out of the box and does not need all that shiny stuff to do it well. I wish it would stop raining!

bluto:

a spring pin is securing the pulley

Osmax2 there are 100's probably more like 1000's of Raptors out there flying very well and performing 3D in stock out of the box configuration. ((( I agree)))This is my main gripe with you people, your telling the world it can't be done which is a lie. ((( Where did I state this)))

It would appear your goal is to bash ThunderTiger products and push the Caliber30, Venture30 and Fury50 with the coveted mystical CCPM. ((( Not the case at all , I have a raptor I fly the Raptor, There was a statment about problems with thunder tiger, some one stated problems with the Fury I would be doing the same thing. Which I have. I am not pushing anything ,I am stateing someting out of my and others around me who had problems. And yes I feel that if thunder tiger does not do something to fix issues the will lose the maket. This is a true statement . I like the Raptor I dont understand how I am bashing it?"

The reason I'm offended is because I have the difficult part in this exchange, you get to say things like the Raptor is a nice helicopter but needs upgrades to fly properly.(( I feel this way ,If you dont like my statement this is fine but the truth is the truth.)) I on the other hand feel compelled to point out that this is not true that it will fly just fine built with what comes in the kit.((( OK I agree it will fly fine out of the box))) You on the other hand make wild statements like the Raptor is doomed unless they make it CCPM cabable(( Let me explain my self, Raptor has a very good points but when I and I state I have to by parts for wawa and blades going out of track ,engine over heating ,links and the list goes on. CCPM has its place and yes it is for every body.))) I have to point out that CCPM is not for everyone and that it does have some short coming's if you use cheap servo's. ((( If you use lets say 3001 yes it not good, but i would never put this on a heli the minum and this is my personal choice is 9202, in a rappt to a Furry extreme)))flmgrip complains that the links are to tight on the balls. I tell him to replace them with Rocket City((( Rokket city is out of bussness but really good links i use them))) links and resize the links to get a good fit, he complains that he shouldn't have to do that well he's probably right but JR makes the Ball link sizing tool for a reason ((( Good Tool)))and it was not because ThunderTiger links were to tight it's just something that you have to do if you want your control system to operate smoothly. There are a lot of people out there that use Rocket City links on their helicopters and its not just ThunderTiger customers. ((( this I will agree and dissagree.)))

flmgrip has some problems with his kit it sounds like the swashplate is sloppy this happens and I'm sure Ace will take care of it unless he bought the kit outside the States. All I can say about the instructions is I was able to build mine using them and a little commonsense, they really do need to update them though. (( I agree))
In the end I agree with ThunderTiger the Raptor will fly 3D out of the box and does not need all that shiny stuff to do it well. I wish it would stop raining!(( this point you are makeing is true. But if you want to get alot more perfoms for it Yes you need to upgrade ,,,again this is my veiw, and I am not saying your point is wroung, And I do not feel that Rappy is crappy out of the Box. But it has a lot of issues . AGAIN I LIKE THE RAPPY >>>>>>>>

I hope this clears things up.
My statements are from my experiences with the above Heli.
Again I am not the Only one who has and has upgraded the rappy to fix problems,
I hope you understand.

To sum it up:

"3D out of the box" might have been the wrong title for this thread. Except the driven tail and carbon blades I will not upgrade anything. And I am sure it will serve me very well and very cheap as a trainer for new things incl. 3D

"Main grip with you people" ? I never said it couldn't be done and I am sure I will fly "3D out of the box"

I am not bashing any product or promoting any other product. I was just telling about my problems building the rappy. The links, the swashplate and poor instructions (which was not a problem for me, but common sense is not good enough if this is your FIRST heli you build)
I will contact ACE about the swashplate and post and update about that once this is resolved

This is a great first heli, just get some help putting it together if you never build one. You can't beat it for this money.

I do not think much of upgrades; most of them will make it look better, but not fly better. Its like getting alloy wheels for your car.

CCPM or not: both have their up and downs. And I believe the rappy is the best non-CCPM heli out there and that's why I bought it. I in no way do regret my purchase and I am sure I will have plenty of hours on this one.

If one want's to discuss CCPM they should start a new thread. IMO CCPM will not make a heli better or worse, just different. I personally like it. But like I said if one wants to discuss this, start a new thread.

Last, I took the good boy out today, interesting to fly with ail. and el. not centering correctly.

Besides of that ROCK SOLID in the air!

The Raptor 50 comes with the Raptor 60 tail parts and the instructions DO NOT apply completely. The manual does not mention the set screw that goes into the tail shaft but it is a very important part. I know those who have Raptor 60s and it was a big deal with them that the set screw was left out and tails were failing.

The set screw goes into the shaft opposite the tail rotor. the set screw fits tightly against the pin itself to keep the pin from backing out.

Please check your tail setup for this screw because I do not think the pin by itself is enough.


Jason

now i know what you are talking about! this is a very important issue and raptor has to fix this in the instructions ASAP !

(i had the set screw left over but could not figure out where to put it and it is not obvious at all that it goes there, especially this is my first heli with a belt drive...)

I never would have figured it out if it was not for my flying buddy who has a Raptor 60. He told me about the set screw and I never would have thought if it otherwise.

It is a shame that the manual is so weak. I think it will take a lot of failures for Thunder Tiger to make a separate manual for the 50 which they should have done in the first place. While they are at it they need to redo the 30 manual too.

Jason

I agree the manual could really use some improvement but I built mine just fine with that manual, I askes some questions here to double check on a few things but for the most part building this heli just needs some comonsence. As for the tail thanks for telling me! I missed that and was also wondering about the extra set screw.

When it comes to deciding wether or not to buy a heli do you get a heli to JUST build it or to fly it? I mean the manual is really a one time thing! (not including break down for reapir which I think the rappy manual covers).

Sure you only build it once, but the building is a pretty important step. If you miss something (I also put the elevator a-arms on backwards, something the manual does not mention, and they broke before the first flight) it could mean inconvenience or disaster. What if you forgot that screw and the tail failed and you crashed into a car or worse simply because of that? Pilot error is one thing, but doing damage because the manual left out an important step is not acceptable in my book.

Jason

Very true, but that's why you have rcuniverse and the internet.

tetsuo1 I 100% aggree...

more problems...

the spindel for the main rotor head.
two times the thread just stripped, not putting any major force on it, one time the thread just broke off !!
three spindels down the drain...
left message at ace... waiting for reply
left message at ace last weekend about swashplate and have not yet heard back...
this heli is not only cheap to buy it is cheap to fly (you save tons of fuel, because you don't fly )

any body head problems with the spindel? this is a major safety issue...

I've crashed, bent and been through probably 10 and have never had a problem with one yet. It really sounds as though QC has really slipped.

update

i talked to them last monday... they gave me wrong address... so instead of one day ship it was a five day ship (for 50miles of distance ), they finally got it friday. they said they have a fast turnaround (one day or so...) will keep you posted on what happens...

well im finding out that cost are similar on the
raptor 50 with tt50 heli engine and the venture 30 with the os 30
so my question is would it be the better buy to get a raptor 50 or the new venture?

i could go with a century hawk 4 for 219 and get a good gyro rather then buy the raptor or the venture, choices choices

I had the Pleasure this weekend to fly and really check out the venture.

It has the room for the 50 engine.
Looks like the only thing to upgrade is boom and may be the gear.
But The only thing I do not like with venture there are no thrust bearings. I would like to see a upgrade for the swash plate too.
IMO

i would not go 30 size period. MOST people having a 30 will stop flying it when they get a bigger heli, or are not real happy when they keep on flying, so if you can afford it go with at least a 50 size. 30 size is just real wiggly, but let's not make this a flame war about 30/50/60/80/90 size helis, this thread is about my problems with the rappy 50, i will call ace today and i will post update results when available...

I disagree, 30's are great! I got rid of my xcell60, because I usually only flew the 30 size bird anyway.

Dont get me wrong, the 60's are awesome too, and they are a little different, which is fine. Just an opinion

I checked out the site Nice ..

My jet?

Cool, thanks! Working on it as we speak

My 2 cents , as for quality the Caliber 30 is far better than the Raptor or Venture for the same money.