Anybody think the B400 needs more ground clearance in the tail?

[ericm7030]

I was comparing my B400 side by side with my buddies older Trex 450XL. His Trex has about 1/2" - 5/8" more tail blade clearance than the B400.

It never fails when flying off grass, my 400 becomes a grass wacker. I always end up with green tail blades, and grass clippings on the tail boom.

I am thinking about making some spacers to go between the main gear and the frame. I would make them out of white or black Delrin probably 3/8 - 1/2 of an inch. I would have to experiment.

This should effectively give some more clearance in the tail.

What do you guys think?

[SeaComms]

Absolutely! Had the same problem with the old DX36 I had, a longer tail fin might be a good idea too.

[widower]

It's definitely a problem. When flying off snow with skies made from antifreeze jugs, I added an elastic to squeeze the back of the skids inwards. This raises the back and gives me almost 3" of clearance.

[sniper_iron_man]

i got a styerfom ball works good but sorta looks dumb at same time lol

[Robb]

I used a tail and mid boom c/f look stabilizer from a rex 450, the holes don't exactly match so I just drilled them a little larger, looks better than the yellow imo.

Robb

[ericm7030]

I was also thinking of buying some CF sheet and making a new and longer Vertical fin with a matching horizontal stab.

Problem is the sheet is quite pricey.

Making it would be easy as I have access to a 4000w laser.

I think I will start off with making the landing gear spacers first.

I will post pics when I get it done...

[widower]

I'd be afraid of an increased chance of tail slaps by increasing the vertical stab. How does increasing the vertical stab increase the tail clearance?

Or are you just trying to keep your tail blades out of the weeds?

[ericm7030]

Well guys,

here is what I made out in the garage. It adds a 1/2 an inch of clearance in the back.

I think it is a pretty good improvement. I just came in from making them a little bit ago, so I have not had a chance to fly it.

It is very rigid, and I doubt I added much weight. I will weigh the extra pieces tomorrow.

Please excuse the messy the work table;)

Let me know what you think...

[prototype3a]

Weight... bah.. just add some more power :smokin: Anywho, we have to do something similar on the lepton just only add spacers to the rear gear. Most hobbyshops and hardware stores sell some nice little nylon spacers that work great. You'll also need some longer screws to mout the gear but those shouldn't be too hard to comeby. Not only does it raise the tail but it makes the helo look more aggressive ;)

[Wayno]

Yeah that would look cool...I'm not keen on digging ditches with my tail either Eric.

[buildem336]

I ordered a set of custom tail fins for the T-rex 450 that are longer than the stock ones and that gives me plenty or clearance off the dirt. I called and ordered mine in bare aluminum and I polished them myself I only had to make the holes a little oval to fit the blade 400.
This is where I got them
http://www.centerstick.com/Trex_450_Vertical_Horizontal_V2_p/cs1248.htm
Heres some pics.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f242/buildem336/DSC00888.jpg
Plenty of clearence of the ground
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f242/buildem336/DSC00884.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f242/buildem336/DSC00885.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f242/buildem336/DSC00886.jpg

[singingperry]

Check this out! 60 Size gear, Century #HI3122 tower hobbies shaved down to 3/8" at the top and 1/4" at the bottom via bench grinder. No more grass stains and the heli has to go into a 45 degree tilt for a blade strike. Have to be in some serious trouble for that! Holes drilled to stock fit balances perfectly! Made the skids myself so don't forget to order or make them.

[singingperry]

check out the skids44116

[singingperry]

I'm not good at posting photos!:confused:They look goooood if you could see 'em all.

[singingperry]

pray! Well if I can't post a heli photo might as well give you a shot at the government's anti-grav drive. Yeah it's real, hope I don't get a cruise missle Fed-Ex! The parts to the left and right are actually suspended in mid-air. Just arrange whatever configured parts to where you want them (any size or shape) engage power to the drive and they lock their position as if they are welded together by a (non-visual) spectrum component. You can build an entire craft that way without the need for welds, glue, or rivets. It won't let go until you are ready for disassembly to reconfigure. As for the symbols "don't pay any attention to the man behind the curtain!"

[whoanelly]

I was comparing my B400 side by side with my buddies older Trex 450XL. His Trex has about 1/2" - 5/8" more tail blade clearance than the B400.

It never fails when flying off grass, my 400 becomes a grass wacker. I always end up with green tail blades, and grass clippings on the tail boom.

I am thinking about making some spacers to go between the main gear and the frame. I would make them out of white or black Delrin probably 3/8 - 1/2 of an inch. I would have to experiment.

This should effectively give some more clearance in the tail.

What do you guys think?\
Take the landing skids and turn them the other direction,so there leaning foward instead of back.it will give you plenty of clearance..

[whoanelly]

turn the landing skids to where their leaning forward instead of back,,this will make a huge difference..

[fdrotormedic]

Yeah, the skids are a little different....however, I really like the 600 skids...that looks COOL!

[LockMD]

that very well may be my next mod.