Hawk Pro

[Steeltoes]

I have decided to get the Hawk Pro with a JR radio setup.

[jimco]

Sounds like money well spent. I am not familiar with the Hawk, but its popular and has good support. Wise decision.

[Steeltoes]

Thanks to all for the input, there is alot of knockoff crap out there.

[jimco]

I just came from Ebay. Was curious about all the electric junk that I have been reading here. Walkera electric, $114.00, frt from Hong Kong, $72,00. I don't think so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Later , enjoy your Hawk. Jimco

[hawkman]

Steeltoes....you will like the Hawk Pro I have the Sport version which is slightly older....the Pro is the Sport with goodies...like thicker feathering shaft, torque tube tail drive and rear mounted tail servo etc etc.

Parts backup is cheap and easy, some things can be straightened out as well...which will save some money. Its a rugged little heli which will give a lot of fun.

The only issue I have is with the fuel tank....I dont like its location...it not suitably isolated from the frames.....if the engine tuning is out then the tank will foam up it fuel....which give air bubbles to the carb and the engine will be erratic....the tail starts to swing etc etc.

Fitting a header tank is a total waste of time too.....sort out the foaming first then fit a header tank...if thats what you want.

That foaming issue is usually down to engine tuning....you might be lucky and have no problems....but if you do then spend time tuning.

The canopy can be a crap fit too....but careful attention will see an acceptable fit.....the throttle and collective servo arms might chafe inside the canopy. In fact a bad fitting canopy can cause fuel foaming...I have seen it. We are dealing with helis here....anything slightly out of sorts can cause unwanted vibration/harmonics.

Otherwise.......it will bring hours of fun....I have a lot of time for Century products....nice looking helis at sensible prices.....I quite like the look of the Predator Gasser they have.



Rob

[jimco]

Hey Hawk: Thats a pretty good list of uhoh's. Raptor, out of the box , doesn't have those problems. Everyone fits, foaming is not problem, plenty of clearance on all moving parts. Good fuel tank location, in the rear , where it should be, and adding header tank is 1 screw, location altready there. Tail is belt drive, instead of torque tube. Not quite as much to repair. Look one over, when you get a chance. I'll do the same on the hawk.

[hawkman]

They are the only critical points I can think of....the Raptor has a good reputation.....though there was a 'blade flutter' issue more commonly called the 'woofs' something to do with the damping on the rotor head....and transitioning between negative and positive pitch.....sounds like a vibration can pick up and get so violent that the heli just falls apart.

I would guess any heli can suffer this....the head damping on my Hawk got pretty slack once...I put in some additional washers and it soon tightened up.


I hear that Raptors are tough little helis.

Sure would love to see one....and fly it of course

Actually at a bit of a deciding point....glo/nitro fuel is so darned expensive and a hassle to import I might have to retire the Hawk and get a Predator Gasser instead.....with a Trex for those little 'fixes' I need....ie lunchtime flying sessions during the working week.

Rob

[jimco]

Hey Hawk. Jimco here. I have not had the experience that your mention. I have had my 30 pick up a little wobble, but checked the blades, and you guessed, loose blades. Raptors' come with 70 durometer flap dampers. They tend to make the heli kinda docile, which for a newbie is fine. Heli doesn't think for you, you have to input it , to get something to happen. I just changed the flap dampers on one of my 50's. Went to the red, 80 durometer dampers, and when I lifted off, first thing I said was, Damnit man. Suddenly had a whole , new , ballgame. Heli had been real forgiving up to this point, now, if you didn't want what you got, you should not have asked for it. Control became instant. and better know where you are going, because it is heading somewhere. All the difference in the world, and they make 90 duro. I think it will be awhile b4 it sees em. Got to learn to fly it all over again. I guess thats why we fly em, never a dull moment. I will sent you some detailed pics on some of raptors, especially the Patriot, I think you will like that one. Later, Jimco