the wren predator turbine

[helibeli]

Why is it that the company that makes the predator in the first place doesn't promote this conversion on it's website?There's no mention of it.No pod and boom turbine has had as much attention with so many experts pitching in with tips and tweaks that anyone could build one with confidence.

[Bell Bloke]

Tell me about it, it's the English way........build something really good but don't tell anybody about it. Lotus Cars do the same thing also.............

[cbergen]

Or you could go with a complete kit, have everything at one time, in one box without guessing which HD parts you need or don't need....and hoping they have them in stock....:)

(playing devils advocate here)

[bcook01]

Maybe because they do not want to accept any responsibility for support. :DOH or being bothered dealing with customers. ............. Unlike Bergen. :noteworthy

just playing the devils advocate

Bob

[Coolice]

Hey,

The long and short of it is the Turbine Predator is not a Century product as such and hence is not promoted in the same way as they would their other models.
Also the model is converted to run a powerplant that is outside of the models original design parameters and so again problems can creep in from this angle as well.
Of course we all know it does it well, but you have to be careful when it comes to business.

In the early days, Peter Chao was in contact with WREN (or their contact in the US anyway) many years ago I recall being told and there was talk of purchasing X amount of turbine units from WREN to go with Predators.
However at the time WREN were not as big as they are now and so could not supply the numbers which would have been required.
The above is what I had heard during my time with CenturyUK, errors & omissions excepted ;-)

As a little extra piece of info, the very, very first Predator Turbine demonstrated at Sanddown Park model show some 5~6 years ago by Perry Kavro's is alive & kicking again after I re-assembled it and Mark Tilbury took it back to be used as Peter Chao's personal flying toy.
There are pictures of it floating around, if not I have some.

This machine, for those that remember it actually took out a section of the race course fence when Perry forgot just how long the machine took to slow down following a knife edge drop ;-O
LOL, I remember the park trying to charge CenturyUK for the damage ;-)

Now, as to promoting the WREN/CenturyUK Predator that was done by me in the UK, flying it at all the shows etc. that CenturyUK attended and a few more besides. A task we did very admirably if I do say so myself. Also WREN took me and my partner to Jet Power a couple of times to demo over there as well.

The truth of the matter is the Turbine conversion of the Predator we have now and that is loved to bits, is the brain child of Mark Tilbury, who flew the very first flights with the MW54 strapped to the model.
I then stepped in and took the model away with me, after having demo'd it at the York Airshow in 2003/04 I think or even earlier! It's been that long and I am older now that I've forgot ;-( But I do have pictures.
All I remember was being told not to stress it too much as the HiTec servo's originally installed were... how shall we say.... not up to the job ;-)

When it came to customer support, that was me again as I had the model, knew all about it and what made it tick etc. hence all queiries were passed onto me to handle.

The final thing to add is that CenturyUK have told me they are very keen to promote this model and conversion, now that I have stepped down from my position as one of CenturyUK's sponsored fliers the model is to be returned to CenturyUK (fully flight worthy, minus my receiver & regulator I might add) for them to carry on where I left off.
As yet though they do not have it but will do by show season next year.

Or you could go with a complete kit, have everything at one time, in one box without guessing which HD parts you need or don't need....and hoping they have them in stock....:)

(playing devils advocate here)

LOL, he's good ;-)
.

[Bell Bloke]

Yes it's a shame that it is not being demoed anymore, I never did get to see you fly at a show Ian :-(

[helibeli]

Well the model has certainly stood the test of time.

[Coolice]

Yes it's a shame that it is not being demoed anymore, I never did get to see you fly at a show Ian :-(

Hey Bell,

Ah, I thought you had finally got to see me fly at one event, like Charmouth or even a show in the end?
I know you'd mentioned before that you'd never seen me in the flesh only via video.
The models going to live on, as to who will be flying it I do not know as I was the only sponsored flier left with CenturyUK after the young ones left. I shall miss it thats for sure.

Mind you I dont think I've ever seen you fly either, last time I saw you was at a flyin and I think it was Charmouth. Thats going back some time now, possibly two years ago now.

We really must have some sort of Turbine meet for all us hardcore dudes in this forum, if and or when I do manage to get a 700 Turbine going then I am back in the gang.

Well the model has certainly stood the test of time.

Hey,

Yes it has, it's matured nicely is the word to use I think.
The model is a success as is proved here, proved further by people such as Bell, Matt, Deron and all infact who fly and cherish their Predator Turbine.
.

[Renfru]

The final thing to add is that CenturyUK have told me they are very keen to promote this model and conversion, now that I have stepped down from my position as one of CenturyUK's sponsored fliers the model is to be returned to CenturyUK (fully flight worthy, minus my receiver & regulator I might add) for them to carry on where I left off.
As yet though they do not have it but will do by show season next year.


Any chance of getting back to Century sooner? :YeaBaby:

[Coolice]

Any chance of getting back to Century sooner? :YeaBaby:

Hey,

I'd like to but there is two things :

1. The turbine unit needs the oil seal replacing and I think CenturyUK want it upgrading to the very latest spec, which will be to the drip feed gearbox lube supply. I am planning on giving it to WREN when I can collect a 44 ;-) kills two birds with one stone.

2. They are in Sittingbourne, Kent and I am in Northamptonshire. Quite a distance and not an easy item to post, hence I'm am waiting for the right time or if someone I know is going that way to drop the airframe in.
.

[Matt Jenner]

ian

I got to go to Sheffield in a couple of week time, On the way back i'll give you a ring,

and see if we can work something out...

As sittingbourne is 8 miles away for me and i have got to know them since buying most of their spare stock on the Pred for spares.

Matt

[Coolice]

ian

I got to go to Sheffield in a couple of week time, On the way back i'll give you a ring,

and see if we can work something out...

As sittingbourne is 8 miles away for me and i have got to know them since buying most of their spare stock on the Pred for spares.

Matt

Hey Matt,

Ah ha, now that would be a big help to me mate yes.

Obviously I'll clear it with Dean @ CenturyUK but I am sure it will be ok.

Cool, that will make my life easier.

Thanks.
.

[Renfru]

not an easy item to post

Remove boom, main shaft, skids and that will package nicely ....quick, quick!

I think you don't want to let it go really.:lol:

[Coolice]

Remove boom, main shaft, skids and that will package nicely ....quick, quick!

I think you don't want to let it go really.:lol:


LOL, yeah it can be made easier if you take it apart a bit more but it's best not to I feel.
Plus they wont know where it all goes the other end, been some time since they've seen it ;-)

It's got to go, have got too many heli's in the house and the other half doesn't fancy sleeping in the shed ;-)
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