Blitz-Avro 90

[blax1]

This appears to be an interesting helicopter :)

http://www.blitz-helicopters.com/avro.htm

Anyone got one, seen one or flown one

[blax1]

Guess not :)

[DVS]

That's a cool looking heli.

[JadeKnight]

£899.00! :eek: That's about $1,764.00!

It does look like it incorporates some nice designs. I like the dampened gyro mount and servo supports. It looks like it's quite high quality.

I wouldn't want to pay $1700+ for a heli kit, though. Maybe when I become an awesome pilot ( someday :rolleyes: ), then I might consider spending that much on a high-quality heli.

Until then, I'll just stick with my $500 600N :p.

[blax1]

Yes she's an expensive heli- alright, some people over here have been buying it in lieu of the Aurora, not sure how smart that is, but I guess some people just cant wait to spend there money :)
If and when I come across photos or vids, I will post them when I see them :cool:

[homerlex]

Video is coming soon :

http://www.motionunlimitedusa.com/video.php

[Shawn K]

I wouldn't want to pay $1700+ for a heli kit, though. Maybe when I become an awesome pilot ( someday :rolleyes: ), then I might consider spending that much on a high-quality heli.

For the intended audience, that's actually a fair price (even after the currency conversion).

I don't think it was really designed to be an "Everyman's 90". Dave Fisher (the Avro's designer) is a multi-time UK F3C team member, and has competed at several FAI World Championships. He flew the first Avros at the last WC's in Poland. He's a well-known fixture in the international scene.

It's designed to be a high-quality machine for people who place a premium on high quality. In my opinion, it's market segment competition is helis like the Hirobo Freya EX-II, MA Stratus FAI, JR Sylphide 90, Kyosho Caliber 90, and others. I'm sure it can be made to do 3D well, but certain features of it (namely the 2-stage belt primary drive) are features that are traditionally seen on FAI machines, not aggressive 3D birds.

Just one man's take.

[RotorDoc]

Also to consider, is how retail pricing works in the UK. In that 899 figure is included about 17% of VAT (value added tax) which would not apply here.

Here state taxes etc. are added after the retail price. For example if you had a 9% sales tax, the retail price in your LHS may be $1000.00. But the price you would pay would be $1090.00 If that was in the UK. The price in any advert. or on a web site would be $1090.

So inreeality that $1764.00 is really about $1500.00. Still a high price, but not as high as it first may seem.

[JadeKnight]

For the intended audience, that's actually a fair price (even after the currency conversion).

I don't think it was really designed to be an "Everyman's 90".

I agree on it not being an "Everyman's 90". I'm not a pilot who needs premium quality ( yet ;) ), so the sticker shock got me.

When I first read about this heli, I looked around for a value comparison. I found the MA Stratus FAI going for $1200 (Heli Proz), so I thought $1700 was pricey (even for that market).

After reading your post, I looked around some more and just found that a Kyosho Caliber 90 goes for $2900 when ordered from Kyosho America's site :eek:.

I guess I was a little more ignorant about the price of high-end kits than I thought :o. So in the end, $1700 is a pretty fair price... Thanks for putting things into perspective.