I took the plunge

[mj_brutus]

Hello all. I'm a nube to R/C vehicles about to embark on my 3rd or 4th childhood (it's hard to keep track). I have just ordered a Century Hawk Pro kit from HeliHobby. After reading numerous reviews and lurking around forums such as this one, I am confident that I have made a good choice!

Currently I have a Blade CX that I've been playing with and working my way up to learning with a Trex 450 that I also own. My plan is to start assembly on the Hawk. I plan on bringing it to my LHS during assembly to get some feedback and tips from the folks in the know there.

For now, I just have the kit with an OS .30 engine on order. I would like to use a Futaba T6EXHP Xmiter that I already have for my Trex. I'll buy new servos and a gyro a little later. I'm sure that I'll benefit from the wealth of knowledge here and look forward to learning what I can from y'all. Thank you in advance!

When I think that its close to being flight-worthy I intend to bring it down to a local flying club to get help tuning it and soaking up whatever knowledge the folks there will pass along.

That's the plan anyway, I'll let y'all know how my experience goes along.

[Dilbeck]

Hello I have a hawk pro also and I would not recomend anything less than an OS32 on that bird. I have an OS 37 on mine and it likes it very much.

[mj_brutus]

Actually, it is an OS .32 engine. I've read where many recommend the larger OS .37. Does it make much of a difference for a beginner who just wants to learn to hover?

I figure that if I truly get the bug (and sufficient testosterone) I can convert the bird to a 50 size some day. Does this make sense?

[mj_brutus]

I took your advice and just called the supplier to upgrade to an OS .37 engine. It will cost me about $40 more, but I am sure that you are right in that I'll be more satisfied and it will take much longer before I yearn for more :lol:

Thank you!

[RAV50]

Sounds like you have a good plan there. The heli can take you from mild training into some pretty wild 3D or anywhere in between. For the "wild" part, the OS32 would be the limiting factor but would still be capable of some pretty good 3D, but collective/cyclic management would be needed more, and it would not have the power for as much "pop".

But with your move to the OS37 you will not be so limited, Specially if you later change the muffler that comes stock with the Hawk for the CN3037 from Century that is specifically tuned for the OS37. This muffler is noticeably quiet and delivers about 15% more power. But until you are into hard aerobatics, the one that comes with the kit will do you fine.

Welcome to the hobby - I am sure you will love your Hawk Pro as I do mine.

[Dilbeck]

One more note on the larger OS37, With this engine I also went with 600mm carbon fiber blades and let me say what a difference in stability in a hover, fast forward flight. The550mm that came with the hawk were fine but the os37 handles the 600mm blades with ease. Clint.

[MartyH]

[quote=mj_brutus;467838]Hello all. I'm a nube to R/C vehicles about to embark on my 3rd or 4th childhood (it's hard to keep track). I have just ordered a Century Hawk Pro kit from HeliHobby.]

Well, good luck with that. I ordered one from HeliHobby too. They took my money instantly, then contacted me a couple days later and told me they are back ordered and asked me what I wanted to do. I have been pursuing them for a refund ever since November 28th. Despite what the website says, they do not have the kits in stock and since they are all coming presumably when everyone else gets them, it's going to be quite a while. Tower and Omnimodels keep changing their backorder status. It now reads mid-December. I'll be surprised if they make it by Christmas. The docks have to be unbelievably backed up. Talk about poor planning! I don't know how you guys keep supporting Century. You can't get anything. Not parts, not kits, the engines they push just went out of business (Toki). What a mess. I own 4 Raptors and a Hirobo Sceado 50 and can have any part for either at my door next day. I'm in line for a pair of the Century Hawk Pro's (one unwillingly from HeliHobby since I can't seem to get my money refunded and one from Omnimodels). I had no idea it was so much work to fly Century. Sure explains the lack of them at the flying fields. I'd still like to try one but OMG I wouldn't want t to be the only heli I owned. I think parts are going to be a nightmare. Of course, if I can't get the kit, I won't need the parts. To be fair, no one can be enjoying this situation. No one's making any money and no ones fixing or building Century helis. In the meantime they're getting mopped up by Align, Thunder Tiger and Compass. It's a good thing they are the price leader, it's the only thing they have going for them. Anyway, I'm just frustrated. I want to fly one too.

[mj_brutus]

Thanks for the info Marty. I hope that my experience will be better than you describe here. I'll be sure to let you know.

From the reviews I've read (and the heli guy at my LHS) my choice came down to the Hawk and a Raptor 30. They both look to be great machines for a newbie and both look to have lots of room for someone like me to grow in to the hobby. Both have been around for a long time and both are very popular (meaning lots of folks who could help me out) and I had thought parts readily available. I couldn't find any performance comparisons or reviews that would lead me to think that I would be missing out on anything by going with Century and so went with the lower price. I can only hope now, that I have better luck getting parts, not that I'm ever likely to crash it and need them :rolling

[turnero]

Century posted ,on the other forum, that they were unloading their cargo container from new oversea's factory day before yesterday. Maybe the wait won't be long. You can call heli-world and get status.

[MartyH]

Century posted ,on the other forum, that they were unloading their cargo container from new oversea's factory day before yesterday. Maybe the wait won't be long. You can call heli-world and get status.


the other forum? Where would I find that?

[turnero]

Here
http://www.runryder.com/helicopter/f48p1/

[RAV50]

Marty,

I have owned many helis in the 20 plus years I have been flying these things and I cannot think of one manufacturer (Hirobo, Kalt, Robbe, TSK, MinAIr, JR, Vario, TT, Century and others) of them that did not have times when they where out of items I had ordered - heck I find that even with computers and video games.

As for helis, I Actually have found Century here in Canada to be the best I have ever dealt with for parts supply and general support.

In fact my two local dealers both had Hawks, Ravens, Swift 16, Swift 550 and Preddy GS's in stock as of yesterday!! :-))

[Dilbeck]

Heli world is in bed with century helicopters I always find any part you cant find anywhere else. if the dont have it nobody has it, they are owned by century! Their prices are the same retail you get anywhere else, check their address, the are in the same block a century helicopters.

[mj_brutus]

Thanks! I'll be sure to find some before its maiden flight.

[MartyH]

sounds like a plan.