Revisited: Build/Review: HeliArtist Agusta A109 (Coast Guard Version)

[BlackTitanium]

Shortly after I posted the build/review of Heliartist's Agusta A109 Policija version (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=68218&highlight=heliartist+agusta), they released a US Coast Guard version Agusta A109.
I needed something red in my fleet, so I had to get the Coast Guard version!
http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=53903&d=1215307337

Here's what is in the box:
http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=53997&stc=1&d=1215378794


There has been some improvements to the retract system, that comes with the fuselage kit.

1. The actuator arm is thicker and more rigid than the original version. This is important because flexing of the actuator arm, on the first version, made proper operation of the rear retracts difficult to setup.
Installation and setup of the rear retracts, in this kit, was a breeze.

2. The axle socket is the proper size and the axle will screw into the socket without any modifications.
http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=53998&stc=1&d=1215379742

3. The wheel axles are fully chromed and properly threaded.
The first version wheel axles were painted silver, and the paint flaked off during assembly.
http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=53999&stc=1&d=1215379742


This kit has the "Stinger" included, to protect the tail rotor from ground strikes.
http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=54007&stc=1&d=1215379899

Here's the completed build, with red anodized head and tail assemblies.
http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=54003&stc=1&d=1215379742

...and here it is in the air!
07I6x4C-yOU

[lrogers]

Very Nice B.T.! The red head and tail compliment the helo nicely.

[BikeNBoatN]

Is the right-hand-side "stars and bars" decal on upside-down? Otherwise, looks very nice!

[BlackTitanium]

Is the right-hand-side "stars and bars" decal on upside-down? Otherwise, looks very nice!
Ahh man! You're right, I didn't notice that. Someone at the factory put it on upside down.


Oh well... I crashed it yesterday anyway. It was a windy day, but I had to fly it anyway, I forgot to start my count down timer and flew too long.
Some onlooker came by and started talking to me while I was flying. He said " it flies for a long time", I looked at my timer and realized I had not started it. So I brought it in for landing, the head speed started dropping fast and the wind was pushing my tail around.
I lost control of it and into the dirt it went. :(

[BikeNBoatN]

Man, what a drag. I put my 450 Airwolf Coast Guard in a few weeks back also. So I feel your pain.

[relaxteb]

Great job, i am working on the Coast Guard version too :)
But i have the problem of remounting the tail case.

I am building a 450s into the fuselage but the tail mount from the 450s has different places to place the screws. They are more deeper into the tail, and there i can't reach it with my screw driver :S

Any tips how to get that solved ?

In the package the screws did not meet the required ones, as you described in the "police" version.

Too bad you crashed it !

Does your battery fit right ? I have mine leaning on the front retract servo because there is not enough space. Also i found it very hard to align the heli and not to have the retracts hit the frame.

I got myself a LiGlow kit and this is the result : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOmczjFTquE

gr

Sebas

[BlackTitanium]

Great job, i am working on the Coast Guard version too :)
But i have the problem of remounting the tail case.

I am building a 450s into the fuselage but the tail mount from the 450s has different places to place the screws. They are more deeper into the tail, and there i can't reach it with my screw driver :S

Any tips how to get that solved ?

In the package the screws did not meet the required ones, as you described in the "police" version.

Too bad you crashed it !

Does your battery fit right ? I have mine leaning on the front retract servo because there is not enough space. Also i found it very hard to align the heli and not to have the retracts hit the frame.

I got myself a LiGlow kit and this is the result : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOmczjFTquE

gr

Sebas

The T-REX 450S is too short for any of the HeliArtist fuselages.
You need to purchase the longer, XL tail boom and Belt.

BTW, the LiGlow kit looks sweet! :thumbup:

[BlackTitanium]

Just finished building my replacement Coast Guard Agusta.
I decided, since the retract mechanism has been improved, to try again to install the Futaba S3114 servo on the rear retract system.

I got it setup, and it works well. The S3114 servo dropped right into the mounting frame without any modifications.

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=56562&stc=1&d=1217140425