I've built a couple of planes and I was wondering do you need to be some sort of engineer to figure out how to put a heli. together? I 'm not sure between a kit or an ARF. I know if you know how to build one you'll know how to repair it. It's proved true for me with my planes. It's just that with helis don't they have to be put together with such precision and little error?
Thank You

The main factor is time, it's not ultra precision work. It's the same amount of effort as a plane, just more metal.

Is it mostly just driving many screws into the frame and so on?

correct. alot of loctite, screwing, lubing, and greasing. Some kits require fan alignment, although mine didnt.
Its not difficult, just take your time and do it right the first time.

I started with an ARF. After the first crash i found it wasn't hart to figure out how to repair it at all. If i had built it from a kit it would have saved less than 10 minutes. It was nice to start out with something pre assembled.

My second heli is a kit, because it wasn't available as an ARF, but, the kit doesn't look too hard either. Much easier than building a plane.

6 of one, half a dozen of the other. The ARF heli is fine because it is just someone else tighening the nuts and bolts for you. I have done both and either is good.

I don't trust ARFs ... and no I'm not trying to start that discussion again.

I've had two ARFs, a Raptor and a Nexus. I tore them both down and rebuilt them ... missing threadlock etc.... both had similar building flaws, in fact I'm sure both would have thrown a paddle had I not checked.... an ounce of prevention.

ARF helis do give you a headstart in giving you a better idea of how it should go together... but I strongly encourage you to check everything.

Making triple sure all connections are snug and loctite'd is probably the most important part, with an ARF like they said you're trusting someone else to do that for you. If you don't mind then do it that way, otherwise do it yourself. That way if your helli explodes in mid air you only have yourself to blame <G> Personally I'm going for a kit simply for the enjoyment of putting things together.

Geez, I knew ARF planes were not all they were cracked up to be, but I never thought they could screw up a heli. Figures.

It is worth going through them and checking them out. The Raptor 30 ARF I got for a freind looked great, but I didn't go through every bolt. maybe I should tell him to do that.

So would you guys reccomend the JR venture or the Raptor. I've heard that the raptor has replacement pars that cost less and moany more upgrades so that it can carry you through beginner to a 3d type ship. I'm I on the money or no?

Havent even seen a venture, but the Raptor seems to be fully capable, easy to work on, easy to get parts for, stable... I've been very satisfied with my R39, so i decided to get an R50 too. If i had it to do again i think i would go with the 50 from the start. It comes as a kit only so if you chose the R50, the Arf vs Kit decision is made for you. There are lots of upgrades available, but i hear they only make a small difference. I'm just going to built it and fly the heck out of it. no upgrades needed.

What's the advantage of a 50 size heli over a thirty. I know with my planes it just ends up costing me a lot more to run 60 size planes. Especiall when dealing with engines. So now I stay with mostly 40 size planes. I would think that the same concept apply's with the helicopters too.

I'm still a beginner, so i really don't need lots of power yet, but i do like to pop the heli in the air already and the 39 gets bogged down doing it. I believe the extra power makes the settings more forgiving. I know it works that way for airplanes. higher power to weight ratio means i don't have to push the engine as much to get what i want, so it stays cooler, and of course is more fun. The 50 has the bigger engine of course, bigger blades, longer boom and slightly different gears but is the same frame and mostly the same parts as the 30 so it weighs just 6.6 pounds, (most 60's are around 11 pounds (?)) and parts are still cheap.

I have a freind who is a pretty good pilot, does a lot of agressive aerobatics. He has a 32 rappy, a 50 rappy and a YS 90 powered Frea (?). He loves the Frea, but flies the Rappy 50 the most.

I hear the rappy 50 also does auto's much better, not sure if it is the lighter wing loading, or better rotational inertia from the bigger blades, but the rappy 30 is notorious for running out of steam on autos.

Spiff nailed it.
Especially with autos; on a 30 size := marginal, 60 := more hang time.

Parts on the other hand... ouch! I can shake off a couple crashes on my Raptor 30 but, one crash on my TSK 60 and I'd be grounded for a couple paychecks.

Heliproz prices:

R30 w tt39 kit 339

R50 w TT50 kit 479

R60 w TT 70 ARF 739


Mavarikk crash kit for R30 36$

Mavarikk crash for R50 39$


double the price of everything to get a 60, but you can get a big boost in power for only 140$ with the 50.


The 50 kit comes with metal swashplate, carbon 600mm blades (keep them for later) and the Mavrikk muffler

The R 39 comes with standard wood blades, plastic/metal swash, crappy muffler.

i suggest goin with century. It already comes with metal balls on the swash, half metal swashplate. Tail supports and alot that doesnt come standard in other companies. Since it is domestic, it is also alot cheaper. The Hawk Sport is 179$ for the kit! Amazingly cheap.
www.heli-world.com
Also if you break something its alot cheaper the jap imported parts.

I like the raptor line. I used to fly schluter and miniature aircraft helis for about 15 years. The last xcell I had, I didn't like. I like the raptors quite a bit. They are nice machines, easy to work on, parts are cheap relatively, and the head doesn't have rods running up the mast for collective parts to get hung up on. I had a couple of the 30s, but sold them after I got the 60. The 30 and 50 are great little machines, but I found myself taking the 60 with me all the time and didn't need 2 extra helis collecting dust with the other 55 planes I have. Can't say enough good about the raptor. You will like it.

55 planes?!!! Collecting dust?!!! WOW!!!!

I wonder if that is already happening to me? I don't have 55 planes, but i haven't flown any of the plnes i do have in over a month.

I just started working at a hobby shop, and the owner sells mostly planes. He has one kyosho , one raptor .30 size, and one jr venture. He went to the hobby show in Vegas for dealers about a month or two ago and he tells, me that I should by the JR venture. It's supposed to be more stable for beginners and more capable at doing all kinds of 3d aerobatics when it comes to that point. Now I know
http://www.heliproz.com/ sells it; and they gave it a good rating. They also have a bunch of after market parts; you know that purple anodized type of stuff. Anyways is that a good sign if aftermarket products are being made for it? And if any of you know anybody that has flown it please let me know!!
Thank you

How are the Raptor 30 V2's as far as upgrading goes? Can they fit a .46 sized engine?

The frames are the same for the 30 and 50. You just bolt in different metal motor mounts. Heliproz sells the 46/50 mount separately. Not sure, but i think you can just swap engines and mounts and not change the blades or gearing if you want to go with the 46 (?).

Are those century helicopters any good. It's so cheap, I would find it hard to trust the craftsmsnship. Also when ou crash a heli, do you usually end up needing more than just a crash kit, and what's the average price to fix a crash

I'm starting with a Raptor 30v2 and just crashed it hard while starting into forward flight. It took less than $100 to repair and I was amazed at how it took the hit. The raptor's pretty tough and there are plenty of parts available. As for the kit vs ARF question. I built the kit and with the help of www.raptortechnique.com, I put it together in three days as a first time builder. Plus I just enjoy putting things together.

Good luck
Jason

My crash took a 57$ crash kit but i had a lot of parts left over. I guess i used 35$ worth of parts from the kit. I did get lucky, it hit on its side and the tail boom was fine.

We have 3 students starting with them at my club. So far they seem like a pretty good heli. I suspect you'd outgrow them faster than a Raptor...