RCHelicopterGuy
Veteran
Location: Michigan
| Here's what I would like to see on the next-gen Raptor 90:
* DO NOT follow the lemming trail and make it a CCPM helicopter! I don't care if everyone in the world thinks that CCPM is "better"... it's not. I don't have the strength to once again get into why CCPM is not the end-all be-all system that everyone thinks it is. Some day, people will get educated to the fact that just because some particular design is widely sold, it does not logically follow that that design is the best.
Thunder Tiger has arguably one of the straightest, most interatecion-free control systems out there. Keep it that way.
* If TT is going to keep the current mechanical design on the big birds, then rotate the collective and throttle servos so that they're vertical, not horizontal. As it is, the collective servo is driving from the narrow side of the case, which is not the most stable arrangement. Making the collective servo vertical would at least allow the use of common output shaft stabilizers that use the servo mounting bosses. Shy of a redesign of the collective system which uses a redundant push-pull setup like the Bergen Intrepid, mounting the servo vertically is the easiest, most logical change which still allows for easy mounting of the tail servo underneath the canopy (where it belongs).
* Ditch the metallic center pivot pin in the current head block design, and make it a Delrin ball-type pivot instead. The current metal pin beats against the spindle too much, and causes strange wear patterns. Yes, using a ball pivot will require a redesign of the head block.
* The aileron bellcranks need to be redesigned. As it is, the swashplate link from the bellcrank is driven from the long axis of the bellcrank. The bellcrank needs to be extended so that the ball is on the side of the bellcrank, not the end.
* Get rid of the plastic pitch gauge frame spacer thingy altogether. It's unnecessary weight. Just use the hexagonal frame spacers by themselves. If anything, make the spacers a little wider, so that they have more area against the frames.
* Trim weight from the plastic boom clamps.
* Include a sleeve to fit over the tail output gear and the gear in the tail transmission, so that the pins won't come out.
* If you're going to keep the same basic head design, make various lengths of blade grip pitch arms, so that users can actually experiment with Delta.
* Regardless of whatever design is used make metal blade grips that will accept a 14mm root rotor blade! I have no idea what the TT designers were smoking when they made the SE grips 12mm.
* Don't go the Align route and make a 10mm head axle. Too heavy. The stock head axle is robust enough as it is.
* Don't hide the receiver switch plate in it's stock location. It's a pain in the butt to fit anything like a Duralite Gemini switch.
* Both the "chin" canopy and the 3D canopy are nearly 2 inches wider than they need to be. Make skinny canopies! By way of example, a Bergen Intrepid canopy will fit the 60/90 mechanics (with slight modifications... I've already tried it ), and it's 1.75" narrower than the Raptor units (even the 3D canopy). Totally transforms the appearance and improves the aerodynamics.
* Lower profile landing gear. As far as I'm concerned, noone beats the Hirobo Freya's setup.
* Ditch the self-tapping screw that holds the tail pitch bellcrank. Use a standard SHCS that threads all the way through, and secure with a locknut or double nuts.
* The tail blade grips should have two radial and one thrust bearing.
Quite honestly, I don't think that the frames and control system really need to be redone, just evolved a little (mostly in the omission of parts, along with a redesigned servo tray). If you really want to change anything, Thunder Tiger, just redesign the rotor head. Two versions would be good... a "grip mounted mixer" design with high swash ahthority, and a "flybar mounted mixer" design with high flybar authority. Whatever you do, design it around the current 12mm main shaft, so that those of us who appreciate the current rotor head design can still use it.
The strong point of the Raptor is it's refinement. Virtually all failure modes are known, and can be easily addressed. A completely clean-sheet design will have to be re-evolved. Sticking with the solid basic mechanics and introducing some new rotor head designs will - in my opinion - infuse the Raptor with new life. |
