The Next Raptor 50!

[ShaneA]

Check out this pic of Thunder Tiger's new bird codenamed Raptor 50 "Titanium Edition." It's very similar to the Raptor 50 V2 with some cosmetic and functional changes. The boom and boom supports are anodized in a "titanium" color. There's a new mounting bracket for the rudder servo located at the rear of the main frame for a more direct connection to the rudder controls. Also, for more precise feel the collective and elevator controls use a push/pull system. That means two control links coming from the servo instead of one. Also improved is the canopy mount at the front of the mainframe. Gone are the purple dinosaur stickers on the V2 in favor of some much better-looking skins. Price and other details were not yet available. Check back for more information soon.

[Person]

The picture you have posted is misleading...

As far as I know, the "New" (if you want to call it that, I dont) kit does not come with a metal head.

Features of "New" Raptor

Collective Pitch Push-Pull lever
Elevator Push-Pull Lever
Metal Rear Servo Plate
Stainless Main Shaft & Flybar
Heavy-Duty clutch Bell
New Body Decoration Design

There is nothing new about this kit. It is just a regular V2 with a couple of extra items added and some new stickers.. Whippe Doooooo... Same old Raptors, but I am sure that suckers will be ligned up to have one of the first new kits...

The only real upgrade I see would be the Heavy duty clutch bell. I would be curious to see what this looks like.

Collective Pitch Push-Pull lever - Waiting to see what this will look like.
Elevator Push-Pull Lever - been out for a while..nothing new.
Metal Rear Servo Plate - been using them for years..Nothing new.
Stainless Main Shaft & Flybar - WOW.. they look so pretty (thats about it)
New Body Decoration Design - REALLY WOW... HOLD THE PRESSES ON THIS ONE!!! Thanks for new STICKERS TT..thats really what I need.....

How about coming out with something ACTUALLY NEW TT???????

[MikeV]

A "Headline" is a headline meant to grab attention. There's nothing in the body of what was written that's misleading. The first sentence says it all. " It's very similar to the Raptor 50 V2 with some cosmetic and functional changes." The photo shown doesn't show a metal head. And come on, I think the new decals are something to get excited about. Have you seen the old ones?

Mike

[JimInnes]

I see no misleading info from RC Heli in this post,

This is a new kit being offered by Ace - It may have 95% of the same stuff in it, but the improvements included are very welcome to Raptor owners. Every heli manufacturer does this, different variations on the same machine, its how marketing works.

As MikeV stated, the post and thread have no misleading info I could find. The word new is used properly as this will be a product with a different part number (if you want to get technical) :)

I for one look forward to buying the new push-pull and HD Clutch setup for my V2, and if the kit itself is priced right, why not? :D

I look forward to more info on this heli. Thanks Mike!

[Person]

"I see no misleading info from RC Heli in this post, "

I now agree.. I appoligize. First couple of times I looked at the picture it looked like it had a metal head......I guess I was wrong on that.

"And come on, I think the new decals are something to get excited about. Have you seen the old ones?"

Maybe you couldnt detect the sarcasm..... :D

[darkfa8]

Person, you're not totally wrong about the pic, but unless that's some seriously dark titanium anodizing, the tail boom and supports look run of the mill.

aside from that.. this appears to be Raptor R50 Version 2.1 lol

Maybe TT is trying to squeeze 10 years out of the old, but initially innovative plastic-fantastic heli... :confused:

I think as savy a bunch of people the mainstay of heli fliers are, they'll eventually gravitate to newer, 21st-century made machines once they tire of TT's overly stale product.

It'd be nice if TT actually improved things on the Raptor and offered it IN the kit instead of having us have to rely on the aftermarket.

Some points of improvement:
- Higher resin density/strength for the head assembly so people don't have to go out and spend big bucks on a metal head that will cost a arm and leg and more if you crash and destroy it.

- beefier redesigned auto-rotation bearing since the current one is infamous for locking up

- more reliable tail push-rod, nothing like that coupler coming undone in flight..better pinch your cheeks together and get ready for the hairiest hopefully not catastrophic auto you've ever seen :eek:

...it's as if VW was still selling 1998 Jettas ... same car, same problems, 7 years later

if you're new and want to be like everyone else who owns a 7 year old machine, get a Raptor. If you want to get on board with a machine that has seen the benefit of 21st-century manufacturing process, constant updates and better direct manufacturer/vendor support, get something else.

When you have a technical question or problem with a Raptor you can't get ahold of anyone AT Thunder Tiger! They're actually in Japan. Anyone at ACE barely has any knowledge that's worth much. Course there are the hordes of owners, but that's lame that you let your customers support your product instead of YOU.

When I did pick up the first issue and saw a Raptor 50 V2 review on the cover, as though it was just released, I was slightly dissapointed. I looked over at the automotive periodicals, I didn't see any reviews on 1998 Ford Mustangs. From a marketing stand-point, I understand why a Raptor was on the front cover, because damn near everyone owns one.

How about some reviews and comparisons of what new 50-size helis are out and put them up against the old and tired Raptor line? Drive the market Mike! Hot Rod did it! Car and Driver did it! This hobby needs to have the soup stirred!

[MikeV]

We've actually got a few "shoot out" articles planned this year. To do that type of article correctly it takes an unbelievable amount of time and work. So keep an eye out.

Thanks,

Mike

[Person]

Thanks darkfa8.

You said everything that I wanted to say, but in a much better, clearer way.. :D