Hi Gang, finely got the Heli-Max Kinetic 50 yesterday and is now ready for test flights.
The kinetic is made by Century based on the Hawk 30. The cost of parts to get the Raven back was more than the whole heli. This kit comes with a huge fuel tank it's at least 4 oz's larger!
The product report:
Plus Side
1. Kit comes assembled (all major components) Every nut, ball end and bolt on this baby got the Locktite... I will not have anything fly off it again!!!
2. Canopy glass is tinted (Smoked)
3. The lower frame has access slots for muffler bolts. No more need to remove landing gear.
4. They even included the long throttle arm for the carb. (Mine broke in flight and had to sit and wait around as it screamed on the grass)
5. All the pushrods were made and just had to be made to the proper length.
6. Fuel fittings are pre-bent with no messing around. (I added a third line that goes to a second clunk for gravity feed)
7. All parts are interchangable with the Falcon and Hawk. I have the Raven so the upgrade is on the shelf.
8. Cost. Works out to $302.00 Canadian. The parts are cheaper as well. ie: $22.98 for wood blades (Century) $19.98 from Heli-Max
9. Easy to setup and program. The instruction booklet gives actual picture of Futaba 6ch heli, 7ch and 9chps and how the different windows should be set.
Total time to assembled and setting pitch 10.5 hrs. Test Flying when canopy is decaled.
Negative Side
1. Very tricky to assemble the bottom frame with the extra large fuel tank.
I got the engine and muffler installed then went to put the landing gear on to make assembly easier... Not! Had to install the boom struts first when it's all appart then had to remove the muffler to get at the front gear bolts.
2. Rotor head is from the Hawk 30
3. Clutch bell is plastic (Basically it's a stripped down version of the Falcon 50)
3. Shipping from Tower Hobbies... slow as a snail! Ordered it on May 18th, shipped on the 21st and got it June 7th.
4. Would I buy another one? "Yes!" for the cost savings and free parts.
5. Tail Rotor has a one-way bearing on gear at the bottom of mast.
Jim
