About 20 gallons in and I finally crashed. Is it time to give up on Thunder Tiger.

[Vaeloron]

My X50 has been my favorite heli for the longest time but I finally put her in at the fun fly. Even though the damage isn't too bad I, like everyone else, can't find parts for it. I am strongly considering another brand that I can actually get parts for. All of my electronics survived and aside from a smashed pipe my motor made it too. The only parts I need are a blade grip arm, torque tube, tail boom, tail shaft, tail gears, ball links, and battery tray. I can only find about half of what I need and that is through 3 different sources and one of them is overseas. This change of distributors is an absolute joke. Its been 5 months and parts seem to be getting harder to find. To top it off I still had the nice carbon wrapped tail boom that they stopped making.

[smwht]

Part of that isn't HRP's fault, TT discontinued all their nitros. Most of those parts should be shared with the X50 electric, though.

I'm loving my X50f for now but once it goes in I'm probably re-kitting it as a synergy. I haven't seen anything from thunder tiger to indicate they're planning on supporting the Titan anymore. Sad, because it's a good light .50.

[Vaeloron]

I read something that said the x50f was one of the models they were planning to keep supporting. A lot of the parts are shared with the new e550 even but parts are still scarce. I am thinking of picking up a Pantera p6. I would also like a Trex 600n just for the widespread availability of parts but I can't seem to find an airframe only kit.

[smwht]

Afaik they dropped all their nitros, so any parts in common with the electrics they'll still make but the nitro parts will only last until stock runs out.

I'm in the same boat with the trex. I thought there was a store that sold the bare kit (no servos etc) but I can't find it anymore. At this point I'm planning on a N5C when this one goes in. Pantera would be more interesting if I wasn't so infatuated with light helis. Thunder tiger spoiled me, lol. I haven't seen any other .50 nitro kits as light as this one. If you find any I'm all ears, I love the way the X50 flies.

[brianapp]

Trex parts are all over the place. A lot of stores buy the combo kits then split it up to make more money. Any current kit has a kit only option out there.

[Rob43]

Saw this today over on RR:

Due to market conditions, Thunder Tiger has made the decision to discontinue part support for the below heli models. Please note there is still stock on many parts for the below discounted helis, but once supplies are depleted they will no longer be produced.
· Raptor E820 (4793-K10)
· Raptor E720 Flybarless Kit (4791-K10)
· Mini Titan E325S FBL (4710-A23)
· MINI TITAN E325SE ARF (4711-K12)
· MINI TITAN E325V2 (4712-K10)
· Mini Titan V2 SE Torque Tube version (4713-K11)
· E325 V2 FBL 450 ARF (4716-A10)
· Titan X 50 Nitro Flybarless (4857-K10)
· Raptor G4.1 90 Nitro (4895-K10)
· Raptor G4 90 Nitro (4894-K10)
· Raptor 50 Titan SE (4854-K10)

[Vaeloron]

Yup I saw that too. I only need around 40 bucks worth of parts but I am now SOL. HPR has offered to sell us heavily discounted kits but I had to take out a loan from my retirement just to afford my X50. I can't afford a few hundred bucks for the kit and then more for the battery and electronics.

[Ah Clem]

Too bad.

I still fly my Mini-Titan occasionally and still have my Raptor 50 also.

Still very good machines!

[flyswatter40]

I was flying my two Rappys as well. Just about had enough with this now, this is the third brand I own that has done this, pretty much time to sit back and see who's left in a year. Good bye Outrage,Alees and Thundertiger.

[Rob43]

flyswatter40 - I am sorry for your bad luck. I can't imagine how you must feel. These are all nice helis.

[joecass2]

Do you guys think the trex 600N will ever go away? thinking that Align being a bigger company has a better chance of serving then synergy. what do you guys think?

[Vaeloron]

I am kind of wondering that myself. I am trying to decide between a Synergy N5 and a Trex 600N. I am leaning towards the Trex because parts will be easier to get and its unlikely they will stop making parts so soon like Thunder Tiger has with the X50. I can understand discontinuing a model but I have never heard of a company also discontinuing parts support so soon unless they were just going out of business. It's sad too because even after so many years the Raptor 50 and its variants are still a staple of the nitro heli community.

[Rob43]

Hard to say. No guarantee on either, IMO. Either makes for a nice 600. I plan to continue flying mine.

[joecass2]

Not sure what to do. Is there any hope that maybe some aftermarket company making parts for thunder Tiger? I don't want to get rid of my X50 then later find out that parts are available. The synergy is looking sweet I think with the narrow frame design it will be pretty close to the X50. Just heavier.

[Rob43]

I don't think anyone will continue to make parts for helis that are no longer sold. Just my opinion. The demand will surely dissolve. I won't rebuild the X50. Better chance I wind up with a clean used T-Rex than an N5c. Or maybe even the TSA Infusion. For some reason, Synergy owners ask too damn much for their machines. I won't spend $600 for a new 600 nitro airframe. With some creativity, can build a new Trex 600N LE kit, with flybar conversion parts for right around $400 last I checked. Lots of aftermarket for them. There was no aftermarket for the X50 - wasn't a driver for it - flew like crazy outta da box.

[joecass2]

Good point. Got a lot to think about. I'm even thinking of going up to a 700 size Heli. Be nice to run 15% nitro.

[rcflier1]

what parts do you need?

[Vaeloron]

Turns out I may not be as hosed as I originally thought. They have not discontinued the electric X50 it seems and most of the parts that broke are the same.

[Rob43]

Main shaft isn't, I recall that.

[Rob43]

Originally Posted by joecass2

Good point. Got a lot to think about. I'm even thinking of going up to a 700 size Heli. Be nice to run 15% nitro.

I run the 700N with a Tareq. 30%. Dig it. Didn't want two sep fuels to store and carry.