Raptor 60/90 Tail drive gear mod

[JimLerch]

I learned of this from a fellow Raptor pilot at my field. I figure everyone else may know about it already, but I'll reiterate it anyways!

You know that damn pin in the bevel gear and forward drive gear? The one that has a tendancy to depart the airframe leaving you with a worthless tail? Here's one way to keep that from happening:
http://lerch.no-ip.com/Heli/Raptor_Tail_Mod/TN_DSC01642.JPG

Find a piece of thin wall 1/2 diameter brass tubing at the hardware store. Cut into short pieces and size them for a snug fit. No way in heck that stinking pin is coming out now. :thumbup:

Special thanks to Maynard for pointing this trick out to me!

Additional pics located here:
http://lerch.no-ip.com/Heli/Raptor_Tail_Mod/

[vandelescrow]

Thanks for posting this. I found the copper tubing at the LHS and fits snug.

I noticed there are 2 pins on the gears up front, Has anyone found a requirement to do this to those gears?

[JimLerch]

YES! I lost the pin on the forward bevel gear, that combinded with my lack of skill resulted in my last crash. I now have safety bans on all three gear pins.

[Bosshoss]

I lost a pin on the forward drive gear.....piro'd and crashed.

Never again.

[Laurens]

Brass tubes are heavy... Just kidding, its not that bad. I actually use fishing wire, tie a knot in it and then tack it with CA. Thats easy, cheap and light!

[jolo69]

shrink tubing will also do the job.

[Ah Clem]

Jim,

Good that you posted this.

I have seen it in the past, but it is always good to keep something like this at the forefront.

I built my Raptor 90 with this mod on all three pinned gears-it is good, cheap insurance.


It would appear that lots of people have had the pins back out.