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E-flite . Next D . Fast Lad Performance

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Gasser Model RC Helicopters > Spectra Kit arrived
 
 
pgkevet
Veteran
Location: surrey UK

First impressions:
Lots of bags! At least these are labelled
No printed manual - a disc - OK so can print own and this keep cost down and the kit updated..
Included canopy looks cheap at first sight compared to the Predator but the rest of the bits ooze quality.. seriosu chunk of carbon for the base.
Fuel tank is tiny.. not sure what to use that for..too fat for a hip flask

Serious questions:

What do i need now (I've got the electronics - I'm talking bits and changes to kit).. Any Special specifications on those extra bits - and again remember I'm a novice

Assume 16ox Dubpro tank with special gas fittings?
Reverse the Torrington for later
Different clunk?

My replacement Preddie bell/bearing/pinion arrived so I'll get that flying again first..

pgk
06-07-2008 10:31 AM
 
 
Fixit
Key Veteran
Location: UK

Glad you received the replacement parts shame about the weather though

Will you be building the Spectra with the engine facing front or rear?
06-07-2008 10:52 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
pgkevet
Veteran
Location: surrey UK

Quote 
<<Glad you received the replacement parts shame about the weather though>>

..not so bad in tha balmy south..breezy but dry, flew yesterday 600e and 450 ok

Quote 
Will you be building the Spectra with the engine facing front or rear?

I haven't got a clue (situation normal, then)..assuming backwards will help balance c.of g for underslung front du-pro? and help keep muffler clear of canopy?

I'm waiting to be told by all you guys (that way it's not my fault)

pgk
06-07-2008 12:28 PM
 
 
xcellgasman101
Elite Veteran
Location: WOODWARD, OKLA....

Dang,, That was FAST!!!!!! Congrats,, I had mine engine set towards the rear, better CG with the dubro 16oz tank, and better clearance for the muffler,,, You think the Predator canopy is better than the Spectra??? I personally think the predator canopy is ulgy,, but that's what makes this hobby so great,, were all differant,, ... Well again congrats, get that Predator fix, and flying so you can work on the Spectra, and give us all your oppinion between the two helis.. XGM/VGM

John Crotts
www.soonerhelicamproductions.com
06-07-2008 04:07 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
pgkevet
Veteran
Location: surrey UK

Quote 
Dang,, That was FAST!!!!!!

..and there I was cursing over delays in customs..should have got it 3 days ago..

..just been taking preddie apart again.. I did the x-frame mod when i took out the broken part..so i thought it would all be easy..

Silly me! Gasser time again!

Ok so with the x-frame mod you'ld think engine would drop out..well it might if the fan shroud wasn't so tight against the lower back frame nuts. So now having got it out I've reversed those with some flat heads to give more clearance.

That doesnn't help that much BECAUSE while out I redialed the fan and hub.. way out. How? If they were right before and 1 gentle auto? Makes no sense. So redialled it in again.

BUT gotta re-align clutch and bell - that means top and bottom frames so that means loosening all the upper frame joiners anyway. It's gonna be a late night 'cos I'm flying this tomorrow come Hell or Ace.

pgk
06-07-2008 05:44 PM
 
 
xcellgasman101
Elite Veteran
Location: WOODWARD, OKLA....

Quote 
It's gonna be a late night 'cos I'm flying this tomorrow come Hell or Ace.

AAAAAAHHHHHH haahahhhaaahh,,, I just spit pop all over my monitor AGAIN!!!!!! XGM/VGM

John Crotts
www.soonerhelicamproductions.com
06-07-2008 05:55 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
jschenck
Elite Veteran
Location: La Vista, NE.

Quote 
Ok so with the x-frame mod you'ld think engine would drop out..well it might if the fan shroud wasn't so tight against the lower back frame nuts. So now having got it out I've reversed those with some flat heads to give more clearance.

thanks for the tip! I haven't dropped the engine since cutting the cross member out of the forward X-frame. Seems like Century could make this much simpler with a few minor changes in the kit.

Weather has been bad around here, haven't flown in a week. A tornado hit about 2 miles from my house last night! lots of rain and wind.

...yep...
06-08-2008 04:31 PM
 
 
pgkevet
Veteran
Location: surrey UK

Quote 
Weather has been bad around here, haven't flown in a week. A tornado hit about 2 miles from my house last night! lots of rain and wind

I'm still at the overenthusiastic would have gone stir-crazy state without flying 2 weeks..pigged off enough that haven't flown 2 days

What ya need is a spare kit to build while the weather's bad

pgk
06-08-2008 06:18 PM
 
 
Fixit
Key Veteran
Location: UK

Quote 
What ya need is a spare kit to build while the weather's bad
And deep pockets
06-08-2008 07:39 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
jschenck
Elite Veteran
Location: La Vista, NE.

Trust me, I have puh-lenty of projects. Seems I've been bring one back from the field faster than I fix 'em. I just about have my Trex-450 back together - need a swashplate and battery mount. Really weird, broke two swash balls off, shattered a blade grip, made an L out of the tail boom but did NOT bend the spindle ?!??

I also have a new-on-box GMP Cricket that I want to build. That'll happen soon. Also have almost everything I need to build another Raptor-50.

...yep...
06-08-2008 08:06 PM
 
 
pgkevet
Veteran
Location: surrey UK

Quote 
Trust me, I have puh-lenty of projects. Seems I've been bring one back from the field faster than I fix 'em



I was supposed to be carving an 8ft seahorse this year.. that £20 foamy I bought last autumn has a lot to answer for!

pgk
06-08-2008 08:23 PM
 
 
rbort
Elite Veteran
Location: Franklin, MA - U.S.A.

Congrats on the arrival of your new bird!

To answer your questions:

Each bag is labels for that particular step with all the parts you need for that step. Open one bag at a time and assemble it before going to the next step. Assembly is very straight forward.

The Spectra-g is a CF canopy 1 piece very strong and should last you for years. Even with a fender bender it doesn't get damaged that much and you can glue and fill the cracks if needed and repaint it will look like new again. Isn't the Predator stock canopy plastic?

Get the dubro 16oz tank. Don't use the T's and one way valve included in the kit, just loop the vent line, fill with the return line all day long, empty with the carb pickup line at the end of the day.

Don't install the spark plug shield. More hassle than its worth for benefits. I fly without it with no issues since day 1. I gave mine to someone in England!

There is no torrington bearing to reverse in this kit for a Jewel. I prefer the Walbro felt clunk (better fuel flow and no blockage).

Install the engine to the rear to help with balance and minimize canopy cuts.

Enjoy! I flew mine 10 flights/2.5 hrs this weekend in searing heat at MHA funfly, total is now 486 flights. Flew like a champ!

-=>Raja.

1005 Xcell Gas, BHH G26 3D Plus, Jewel Generator
Spectra-g, BHH G26 3D Plus, Jewel Generator
06-08-2008 10:15 PM
 
 
GyroFreak
Key Veteran
Location: Florida ... 28° 50' N 81° 16' W

Installing the engine to the rear gives easy access to the spark plug, otherwise gas tank and electronics will be in the way( and the canopy).

Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have. !
06-08-2008 10:46 PM
 
 
pgkevet
Veteran
Location: surrey UK

To
Quote 
answer your questions:

Each bag is labels for that particular step with all the parts you need for that step. Open one bag at a time and assemble it before going to the next step. Assembly is very straight forward.
]

I thought I'd make a bit of a start. So bags are labelled.. but parts are NOT as in the manual. The tempest head is shown as having 1/2 caged flybar control but the parts supplied - labelled fury tempest are for a full flybar cage. The manual asks for bag 11A for the flybar which was actually in 9G - inside the boom and hidden. Even with the picture in the flybar cage parts bag the end pieces shown do not quite match the shape of the end part supplied..which were in their own unlabelled bag. Because it's a closed flybar cage the control link will have to be made up..presumably I'll find that and details way down the manual. Considering tha manual was on disc you'ld think it could be updated.

This kit has a huge parts count..with the Preddie the bits were totally shambolic but many sub-assemblies were at least put together.

OK parts appearance better with the Spectra (not upto Align visuals) but just on head construction I'd say Preddie was ahead on ease, Spectra on quality. Both need to take notice!


Quote 
The Spectra-g is a CF canopy 1 piece very strong and should last you for years. Even with a fender bender it doesn't get damaged that much and you can glue and fill the cracks if needed and repaint it will look like new again. Isn't the Predator stock canopy plastic?

Preddie canopy is GF with windshiled to be inserted. Solid, chunky, edges lined with dense foam and a shaped lip to hold the whole shape. It looks substantial. Spectra canopy looks like thin white plastic..not even the support holes punched out

Quote 
Get the dubro 16oz tank. Don't use the T's and one way valve included in the kit, just loop the vent line, fill with the return line all day long, empty with the carb pickup line at the end of the day.

I have to get the Gas conversion bung for that, don't I? Is there only one dupro 16ox or different shapes/openings?

Quote 
Don't install the spark plug shield. More hassle than its worth for benefits. I fly without it with no issues since day 1. I gave mine to someone in England!

Read the same

Quote 
There is no torrington bearing to reverse in this kit for a Jewel. I prefer the Walbro felt clunk (better fuel flow and no blockage).

Can;t fidn that UK.. another mail order...How about the Dupro clunk?

Quote 
Install the engine to the rear to help with balance and minimize canopy cuts.

seemed the right way. Canopy cuts???!!! Ya don;t do that with a Preddie. It fits and fits very very well around the main mast etc

Quote 
Enjoy! I flew mine 10 flights/2.5 hrs this weekend in searing heat at MHA funfly, total is now 486 flights. Flew like a champ!

..could be a while with this parts count, especially if Preddie starts to behave .. wanna fly too!!

Glad you enjoyed your w/e 'cos now your going to be needed on this thread, lots

And thanks, Gyrofreak for your Plug access comment..makes sense, Sir

pgk
06-08-2008 11:23 PM
 
 
pgkevet
Veteran
Location: surrey UK

Build thread

So much for legendary 'parts will fit'!

So far started on the head.. just the flybar cage and since now a closed flybar cage had to steal two links from another packet. OK so that goes together fine. Next insert the flybar - joke!

Does someone have my number for dud kits? The flybar goes in one side smoothly and very stiff the other..no swarf inside. Put in through the easy side so it's aligned and tried to draw through by wrapping in cloth and clamping the threads (which fitted just) in avice and drawing through...jammed 1/3rd and had to pateintly unscrew it back out. Flybar measures 4.01mm.. so standard 4mm flybar.

My options - since it's not practicable to ring up and whine - would be either to redrill the tight side or emery cloth down the flybar - which is obviously the safer option - or find some thinner rod.

This was supposed to be an easy if slow build..

Do we have MinAir reps reading these threads?

pgk
06-09-2008 06:41 PM
 
 
dhollein
Key Veteran
Location: Tucson, AZ

Let's see some pics!
06-09-2008 06:51 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
xcellgasman101
Elite Veteran
Location: WOODWARD, OKLA....

Were are going to change your name to UN'LUCKY!!!! I'm not a MA rep, but I have never had a problem getting a flybar in,, Now taking it out after a crash is a differant story... I would emery cloth the flybar alittle, just to make it smooth and easy to get in,, This sucks that your allready have some trouble,, You need to do something to change your luck,, go to a mens club, and change your luck,, XGM/VGM

John Crotts
www.soonerhelicamproductions.com
06-09-2008 06:52 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
rbort
Elite Veteran
Location: Franklin, MA - U.S.A.

For me, they are all created equal

Been flying MA stuff for over 10 years and never had to sand down any flybar to make it fit. Are you sure you didn't damage something during the assembly or grab something with plyers and mar it so it won't fit smoothly?

xcellgasman is calling you unlucky, I'm thinking you may be hard to please? Continue with the kit and give your overall impression when you're done. And ask questions along the way, I'll help any way I can as I always do to everyone here.

I just thought of this -- as far as the smooth versus tight the flybar support tube is a very snug fit to the flybar. If you put too much locktite on the two grub screws that go in there the locktite can fill the hole inside and make for a hard insertion. Unscrew the assembly on the tight side (just remove the two screws from that side holding the CF plate) and see if the flybar goes in OK from the smooth side. Also check the grub screws and make sure they are not too tight to insert the flybar in the first place.

Relax, it is supposed to be an easy enjoyable build.

-=>Raja.

1005 Xcell Gas, BHH G26 3D Plus, Jewel Generator
Spectra-g, BHH G26 3D Plus, Jewel Generator
06-09-2008 08:19 PM
 
 
pgkevet
Veteran
Location: surrey UK

The head and flybar support system is preassembled in this kit. I did make an attempt to take it apart but its solid and therefore no point in so doing. Its supposed to be assembled with bearing green locktight and I wasn't going to cook it up just to take it apart and put it back together.

I did not mar or burnish anything ..parts are pristine. I did use wet and dry to take down 1/2 the length of the flybar and it's in now. Grub screws go in after (as you know). The point of wedging is away from the grub screws anyway..the 'free' end.

Impressions so far that the rest of the head parts are well engineered..probably over-engineered and there have been minor changes which aren't documented.

I'll finish the head after eating.

As to unlucky - you haven't tried my wife's cooking

pgk
06-09-2008 09:01 PM
 
 
jschenck
Elite Veteran
Location: La Vista, NE.

Quote 
you haven't tried my wife's cooking

been married for 14 year, cooking is another hobby of mine

...yep...
06-09-2008 09:17 PM
 
 
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Ace Hobby . Esprit Model . Thunder Power RC

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Gasser Model RC Helicopters > Spectra Kit arrived
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