Barney Barnett Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 What would members reccomend as the next step after mastering the Medevac? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Ashby 123 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Hi Barney, Are you looking to fly predominantly indoors or out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Barnett Posted October 25, 2007 Author Share Posted October 25, 2007 Both preferably, I have a reasonable size undercover area at home and a large grass area right next door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Ashby 123 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 For outdoor use you'll need a collective pitch machine and, generally speaking, the bigger it is the easier it'll be to fly. For your undercover area, however, the largest model you'd probably want is a 400 size heli' (about 600mm rotor diameter). Whatever you go for, then, will be a bit of a compromise. On the whole 400 size collective models are quite capable outdoor trainers in light winds so I guess that'd be my recommendation. Fit a training undercarriage and get someone to set it up for you though - most important, even for the ones that come ready to fly out of the box. For the first few flights it'll feel quite sensitive compared to the Medevac but you'll soon get the measure of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Barnett Posted October 25, 2007 Author Share Posted October 25, 2007 Thanks for the tips Graham, just found the forum tonight, will try and work my way through the earlier threads. Medevac is my first model, when I was in the military I had a lot of stick time on Kiowa, Iroquois and Blackhawk, mode 2 is fairly instinctive and Medevac was fairly easy to fly straight out of the box. So far only damage was one nicked blade when chasing one of the wifes dogs (hope she does not see this). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Lewzey Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I moved on from my origional Twister bell 47 to a Esky Honeybee CP2 bought at a bargain RTF price from www.rcscale.co.ukIt flies well - basically being a JP twister CP2 with slightly different mechanics and aesthetics. However, if you can afford it (I couldn't) get something a bit more expensive. The T-rex and Thunder tiger equivilant - the mini Titan - both seem to fly well: I've seen both in action. However, they are a bit big for indoor use. Of course, you could get an IC outdoors heli and keep the Medevac fro those rainy days - my recomendation would be a Raptor 30/50 because the spares are supposed to be the cheapest around.Have a look around at various shops and websites, ask competant heli flyer's opinions and don't impulse buy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Ashby 123 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Good idea Barney, there's a lot of experience on this forum and many people have favourites for one reason or another. I guess you'll eventually be wanting to build and fly a Kiowa, Huey or Blackhawk at some stage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Barnett Posted October 25, 2007 Author Share Posted October 25, 2007 Thanks Jonathan, the medevac was an impulse buy, that is why I asked the question here, the medevac is fun but the challenge is wearing off, looking to move on but would rather learn from others mistakes. Will have a look at your suggestions and see what is available here in Australia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Barnett Posted October 25, 2007 Author Share Posted October 25, 2007 Huey is definately the favourite, would like to build a good scale model, Medevac looks very good for a "cheap starter". Would like to build up a bit of experience before destroying something serious. Maybe if I get a bigger model the wife will get some bigger dogs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Child Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I flew my Medevac (which started life as a Twister Bell 47 and was rebuilt in a Medevac body after a crash because the body was stronger) for about 100 hours before upgrading, but I still fly it now - it is such good fun! I upgraded to a MiniPred. I have been very cautious with it, but still whacked it a couple of times while learning. It is harder to mend than the Medevac (I am trying to work out how to replace a bolt that isn't on the parts list) but actually pretty easy to fly and, unlike the Medevac, can survive some fairly violent manoeuvring. It's actually easy to avoid crashing this machine because when you lose control, you can keep it in the air - if you have space - until you get it back under control. I thought very seriously about the Falcon 3D, but ultimately followed the advice of a friendly club flyer. When someone with 50 years of model flying experience decides to take you under his wing (so to speak) it is very wise to follow his advice unless you have a VERY good reason to reject it, and are prepared to lose his tutelage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter latham Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I went from Medevac to Mini pred also.I really like mine! One thing to bear in mind in my opinion is to buy a model your local model likes. then they will probably have the parts when you need them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Barnett Posted October 30, 2007 Author Share Posted October 30, 2007 It seems that the model names are different here in Australia, makes it a bit hard to relate to what you guys are saying but I do appreciate the feedback. Now up to three broken lower blades, taped the broken pieces back on and put the same amount of tape on the opposite blade, no noticable difference. Did try to adjust the gyro to get back some pedal trim but found it was already maxed ? This was before the blade band-aids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Child Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 If it's any help, the Century Mini Pred is the same heli as the Falcon 3d. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Barnett Posted October 31, 2007 Author Share Posted October 31, 2007 Thanks Gareth, thought it was but was not certain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Child Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Is pedal trim the same as yaw trim? If so, and the gyro is already maxed, then you might have a bent shaft. This will slow down one of the rotors, (inner shaft turns the upper rotor, outer shaft turns the lower rotor,) causing the turning. Replacing the inner shaft is relatively easy: the outer shaft is a bit more complicated. But when I had the same problem with mine, a new shaft fixed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Barnett Posted November 1, 2007 Author Share Posted November 1, 2007 Thanks again Gareth, yes, what I referred to as "pedal trim" is yaw trim, when flying full size helicopters the yaw is controlled by the pedals, must get my terminology right. Will have a look at the shafts, meanwhile the Medevac is providing some good stress relief when I get home from work, two batteries and two Bourbons and I calm down enough to go in the house. Some of the confusion regarding model names came from your earlier post (25/10.07) where you said you considered a Falcon 3d but bought a MiniPred after advice from your instructor. Are they the same model from different manufacturers?Regards,Barney. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Child Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Yes - the final choice I had was between a Falcon/MiniPred and an Esky HoneyBee King 2. I went with the advice of the local club and rejected the HoneyBee, and then bought the one of the other two that was available - there were no decently priced Falcons when I was shopping. I have to say that the support from Century (who make the MIni Pred) here in the UK is excellent - next day delivery on parts. Mind you, in a month of flying I have only needed a new tail boom, two main rotor blades and a feathering shaft. In the same period my Medevac had needed at least two complete rebuilds that cost twice as much in parts as the original heli... I know what you mean about the stress relief, though. Two full batteries with the Mini Pred adds up to about 25 minutes of flight time, plus another half hour of fettling. It's a great way of relaxing. And then I go inside and buzz the kids with my PicooZ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Bark Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Hi People, just found this thread, I'm just moving on from a Medevac to a Century Mini Pred on the advice of my local model shop. Judging by the reviews here, it looks like the right choice. I'm told it will fly outside without the same problems as the Medevac, any comments on that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boos Boy Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 Its amazing what you find on these forums. I got a medvac for Christmas, then a mini47g, now looking to upgrade again and was wondering about the mini pred. Now I see teh is an E-flite Blade CP, what would you recommend between the mini pred and blade cp? I've already got futaba 2.4 set-up for my IC planes, so maybe something withour radio gear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Winks Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 Hiya people just a quick one on the yaw pot on the bell 47/medivac if its maxed it might also be that the link connecting the fly bar to the top rotor is set wrong by experimenting with the length it is poss to ajust the amount of yaw trim required. move with caution though doesn't need much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fats Flyer Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 also if the yaw pot is maxed out,you might need to change the motors,they get weak and slow,these motors don't last for long at all,knackered motors play havoc with all trims Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Winks Posted May 17, 2008 Share Posted May 17, 2008 Not my experience Vinnie i've got the original bell 47 had it for nearly 2 years now flying ast least 6 times a week and it still pops off the floor straight into the most stable hover literally hands off however i do lubricate the motors every now and again with a very light oil designed for electric motors and generally keep it dust free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fats Flyer Posted May 17, 2008 Share Posted May 17, 2008 blimey, your'e lucky, im on my 3rd set of motors.mind you, it is flying nearly every day for 6 battery packs worth of flying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Winks Posted May 17, 2008 Share Posted May 17, 2008 ok so i prob only do 3 batteries about 5 or 6 times a week also always let it cool well between flights but mostly put the longevity of the motors down to maintenance but 3 sets how long you had it all i've replaced is rotors countless times and canopy twice oh and secured the servos a little better the old tape failed wen warm well hot actually. that caused controll issues an a few words Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.