GAUI Hurricane 550 After Market Frame Build

[IFlyAnything]

Hey everyone I smashed my Hurricane 550 and decided it would be a great time to up grade my frame. I was running the stock carbon fiber frames with an all metal head. I was running the custom heli parts adapter plates to put s9650 on the cyclic. I really liked these servos and custom heli parts makes a frame with direct swash plate linkage.(The bell cranks were a pain to setup). I know I am lazy. Since there was interest I am going to start this build thread. It will probably will take me some time to get it completed but I will update the thread as I go.

I followed the steps in the provided manual in order. The first item to be put together was the forward servo mounts



I took these two pictures to show the different angles. The front view did not look right to be but I figured as I built the frame it would come together

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The next step in the manual was to build the battery tray. There are two hex adapters that are used to hold the tray together. One has a tapped center hole and the other is just a pass through. It was not obvious from the manual which was suppose to go in the front and which when in the rear. I looked a head in the manual again and realized the non tapped hole was for the back plate. This allows the battery tray to be bolted to the motor mount.( I have not gotten that far yet)

[IFlyAnything]

Next I test fit all of the carbon frame pieces. This was recommended by the manual to determine if any parts needed to be trimmed or sanded. The only part that needed just a little sanding was the front vertical plate that can be seen from the front view. It is the piece that can be seen between the servo mounting plates in this picture

[IFlyAnything]

Here and two more pictures of the frame with only the carbon test fit

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Next I attached the aluminum bearing blocks and frame standoffs. This was straight forward and easy.( The manual showed the bearing block orientation very well IMO)
These first two pictures do not have the front servo mounting plates installed.

[IFlyAnything]

Next I installed the front servo mounts. I kept this part separate because I was not sure of how they actually went. Once you put the aluminum in the servo mounts can only go one way. (The directions show in a picture the press nuts facing out. ) Here is the front picture I took

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Here is almost a side view of the servo mounts.

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Sorry did not let it finish uploading

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This last picture is where i left off in the build. I started putting the other half of the frame on and decided to post these pictures. This is to show how the front servo mount fits tightly against the stock GAUI bearing block

[IFlyAnything]

I ask this question of everyone. I am putting to many pictures or not enough information. This is the first build thread I have ever posted. I am trying to put what I feel is enough information, but I am not sure.

Thanks for you input. I will continue in the next couple of days.

[Dan]

In think you are doing great. I like the picture size and you do a good job of showing us what you want us to see. The only suggestion I have is only post one picture at a time. When you post 2 or more instead of seeing the picture we get a link. Going back and forth between the posts and the links is a little tricky after a couple of beers. Maybe it's just me. What do you think guys?

[cbflys]

Drinking beer now to find out :o

[blax1]

Great job, keep em coming, yep one pic- at a time is good, just means more work for the poster.
No beer, maybe later. :rolleyes:

[chopper 3]

Very nice helli. Great idea on showin your 500 build.thanks and good luck

[DVS]

Your're doing a Great. :D :cool:

[vermonster]

looking good keep em coming....:D

[IFlyAnything]

Ok guys here are some more pictures. I will post each picture individually as suggested. These next three shots are just showing the frame assembled. This is a picture of the gyro mount

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This a shot of the tail boom mount

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Next I installed the Battery Tray and motor plate, Now I am sure some of you have noticed that the gear train is not installed. This is for two reasons. One when I crashed I stripped my front gear and they are currently out of stock and 2nd I want to see how easy it is to replace gears in this frame when it is assembled.

[IFlyAnything]

I just had to take a picture of my 5s pack on the frame. This is a flight power 25c 5s 3300mah pack

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This is just a shot with the gear installed

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The next three pictures are the main reason (besides the battery tray) I bought this frame. direct swash to servo arm linkages

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Here is a picture of the Right servo installed

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Here is a top view of the front two servos installed. It sure is sweet looking IMO :D

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My next step is to install the servo arms. They are supplied with the mounting hardware as part of the frame kit. I took a picture of the packaging. 1st rate in my book. I do not imagine I will be doing much work on this till this weekend. I will post more pictures as I go. At this time I am extremely happy with the quality of the carbon fiber and parts. I hope it keeps up as I get into servo setup.

[blax1]

Yes, very nice upgrade, are you sanding the sharp edges of the carbon, so the servo wire don't get chaffed/cut?

[IFlyAnything]

Currently I have not. The lower part of the frame is already fairly smooth. I plan on sanding/smoothing as I route my electronics. I also thought about using the double sides tape tip I read on the pages of RC Heli Mag.

[IFlyAnything]

Hey Guys have the frame completed except for GAUI parts I still need to order. Main Front gear, blades and landing skids. Here are the rest of the pictures Enjoy

[IFlyAnything]

I mounted the servo arms a little differently then the manual showed. The manual showed all three of them on the outside of the wheels.

This is all just a matter of personal preference. They will work either way

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This is a picture of the servo arm installed

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I had to hang the battery on the frame at this point. Also to take note in this picture the holder for the speed control. I have a top view that shows how it fits

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Here is how the speed control mounts to the battery tray. This battery tray design is awesome IMO. To change out the front gear there are 4 bolts to remove. The battery tray and motor mount will come out in one piece.

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These next two pictures are the heli completed at far as I can currently take it.

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This is the left side frame completed. The wiring was so easy to make neat and clean

[IFlyAnything]

The other modification I did was installed a raptor 50 flybar. It is a tad bit longer. This thing should have aballistic flip and roll rate. From what I have read this frame makes the 550 even quicker. I love a quick machine. Cannot wait to give it a try.

Now I must throw out my 2cents. This frame kit by customheliparts is great quality and well thought out. The servo layout made setup a breeze (I did use the zero degree tool created by the same company) and keeping a neat and clean electronics layout easy. I would recommend this kit to anyone looking to expand the battery selection they can use on there hurricane. This is all my opinion. If anyone would like to see a bigger picture of any part of the complete heli feel free to pm me
:D