Turbine freestyle???????????

[Andy4124]

Hey,

Anyone thought abought predator freestyle turbine????

Ive got a broken heli that needs fixing. is it possible to upgrade to freestyle with the turbine mechanics.

I suppose this question is aimed at coolice, but i thought it might also make a nice friendly topic of conversation.

And of course i would only expect it to be powered by the BEST (WREN) :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[Coolice]

Hey Andy,

This is a good question and one I have thought about myself, that I should be able to answer soon as a Freestlye conversion is on it's way to me :D

I have spoken to WREN about the Freestyle, but luckily it is not a replacement for the stock Predator more an upgrade aimed at the 3D brigade who want the latest and so the turbine conversion will not suffer.

First impressions (and studying the pictures I have) about the possibilty of a conversion to the Freestyle, the first hurdle is the lower main frames of the new machine which have changed. The lower frames now provide the 3 eCCPm servo mounting points, where as before the Predator had a 3rd set of frames for the servo mounting, hence WREN's current conversion package will not fit easily.

A set of custom frames can be made without to much problem, but it will need some more thought and the new frames being included in the WREN kit to make a complete conversion, without the need for the customer to hack the supplied frames to pieces.

Another consideration is the Freestyle canopy, which is just way to skinny to fit a MW54 inside it, but the MW44 may fit. That engine though is a little way off being fitted in a heli as yet, but I am first on the list for one :cool:

I dont know about anyone else but the older Predator canopy looks better to me, more aggresive. Ok it may not be good for fast backwards flight as it scoops the air up into it, but it looks great.

The head and servo layout of the Freestyle remains the same and so no gain is to be had there. The major plus factor is the new tank and shorter radio tray fitted to the Freestyle which helps keep the C/G the same as the tank empties.
This is more aimed again at the IC version as the turbines suffer with a very forward C/G due to the turbine weight anyway.
The servo's are now aligned better to make sure the pushrods to the roll bellcranks are parallel to the main frames and not at an angle.

Once I have my model/conversion I will speak to WREN to see if they want to view the possability of a conversion, but as the Predator isn't being discontinued there is no worrys about lack of parts or models to convert.
The recent lack of some Predator spares has been due to new factorys being built and new suppliers sourced to manufacturer re-designed parts.

If you fancy a little bling and a change to your current Predator, the all metal rotorhead look great and are not stupidly priced either. As to if you need it or not, I'd say no not really. But we all know metal has extra strength compared to plastic, but how many rotor heads have broken in flight?

I say rebuild that model and enjoy it, I'll keep you posted about the Freestyle possabilitys.
.

[chopper jockey]

I can see the advantage a metal head would bring to the predator, if you decide to stretch it and fit longer blades, you could keep the rpm the same instead of having to reduce the rpm for safety. :)

[Andy4124]

Thanks chaps.

Been out enjoying the sun and flying my other predator today.

I got a bit carried away and stripped the main gear while doing some flips.

OOPS!! Oh well, hit the throttle hold and she just floated in. :D :D :D