firefox Senior Heliman Location: Thailand
| Have been following this thread (and Runryder) with interest, but this is my first post here.
I think that this problem is not only Raptors, and really shouldn't be blamed on poor design, since this same design with the same faults is used in plenty of other helis from other manufacturers. In the reviews of the Tiger from Audacity models, one person mention that his tail exploded 3 (three!) times due to failed bearings. And here
http://www.dream-models.com/eco/maint-tail.html
You see an electric heli, the Eco, experience the same thing.
Anyways, in my country, the main distributor of Thunder Tiger doesn't carry the SUS steel hub... but I've already asked a friend to get them for me. Most people who fly Raptors here have no idea of the problem. I did manage to get thrust bearings for cheap (with different inner diameters, same type as the main rotor), $2.50 each (compared to $10 each for the TT ones). I fitted it without a shim (couldn't find one that thin/small) on the inside, and it worked well. Tried it on the outside, and it also worked well. Couldn't see a difference, but I've only had a few flights with them on.
For the Raptor 50's, the thrust bearings are on the inside of the main blade grips, while the 90's have them on the outside. Doesn't seem detrimental to either size heli, so I guess either way works (maybe not in theory, but in practice)? |