RAH-66 Comanche "rebuild"
Evan S.
Good enough is not good enough
It is time to get serious about building a NATS Machine. And fully Preparing for the contest. This is by story.
RAH-66 Comanche build series for the NATS 2023 part 1-A
Step one assessing the last minute repair i had to do to complete the flying round at the last NATS. Zip-ties and popsicle sticks. Had to get my #mcgyver on! But seriously I will be rebuilding this area.
Cannon turrent
I redesigned and printed the gun turrent inner bracket. Used a resin 3D printer with ABS like material. Let's hope it holds up as a forever part.
New radio!!!!
Finally got the JRPROPO Elite radio. Flight controls finished next flight testing. We will open up the peramitar over the next week. Then we finish installing the scale static and animated detais. At what point get ready for NATS and IRCHA.
Demons & Details.....
Finally got the new glass and 77 tiny screws to add that next level of detail finished. Next cockpit and landing gear details. The NATS is a little over a week away. We will see what we see.
Updates never stop!!!
I need to make longer and better extension cables for the Reciever packs. A good solder iron was one of the best investments i made for this hobby.
The B side.
The beginning of getting enough screws, ummmmm screwed?!?!
Chill'n
Was at the field yesterday! Just enjoying! It was the most fun I have had all season.
NATS 2024
It is that time of the year again to goal set for the season. One of my major goals is compete at the 2024 NATS.
So first up flight pratice.
Second get my cockpit to look the part..
Third weapons bay area.
I have heard some whispers about changes in thr format or the competition. We will see what is what. Till we get confirmation ill just pratice as if "no change."
Looking forward to seeing you all at the up coming events!
Just get !T done
Got my first flights of the year in. Look-out some of you pilots we got our mind right! NAT2023
just checking iy!!!!!
just wanted to share this oldie but goodie!!!!!
Going Back in time!
I miss the simplicity that Jeti brings to telementry. So it is Jeti that is going back in this bird.
The vario rotor head up grade!!!
I put a 2 bolt head with vario 700mm semi-symmetrical blades on the D!VA. After over 10 years practice this install and set up has been the most locked in and fun. Watch the video in hovering at mid stick on 5° and the recommended 1600rpm. Next we re lock in the tail.
Night flights!!!
Just for fun!!!
Comanche down.
While at the heli storm my comanche was victim to my negligence. She blew off the table and sustained sever damage. Needless to say we weren't able to have a chance to participate in the festivities.
Irepaore are underway. And of course we are looking at Upgrades!!!
31 Comments
Get that mean machine back in the air!!
Yes Sir!!!
It’s going to be beautiful (already is.)
Don't sell yourself short my friend. When we first met 8-9 years ago, I never imagined you would still be here after the less than "stellar" beginnings with your Comanche. Here's what I see and sure others see also. Your competitive drive kept you in the game which has made you the "competitor" and "modeler" you are today. Honestly, that is a bit scary. :)
You got this,
B
Thank you I have an amazing teacher!!
Very nice emergency fix on a beautiful bird! I have been looking for a Len Mount (or other) large RAH-66 ever since I saw Butch’s Comanche. I hope to find one some day - especially one that someone started, but lost interest in it (unlikely, I know! but like Powerball - someone’s gotta win eventually!) Nick with Red Lodge Helicopters said they found one in that state and they resurrected it to it’s inevitable glory. The photos are on line still, which surprised Nick. Anyway, great work!
If you have one, PM me! I’ll make it worth your while. In the meantime, I’ll keep try to keep building and improving my so far very rudimentary modeling skills. I sure appreciate all the work you guys put into these wonderfully cool machines. Your collective ingenuity and great skill are inspiring You know who you are!
Looking good my friend.
B.
That’s cool, Evan! How did you do the black border?
sharpie
i got dinged on this update.... not enough screws. just waite till the next version!!!!!
Looks much better with the additional screws.
As you know the full scale had a ton of screws. I do not think they make screws small enough to replicate the full scale. Ha. The small window between the pilot and co-pilot access windows had 52 screws to hole the window in place.
So we are “screwed”.
UIH
B.
And this ladies and gentlemen is what a perfect static scoring helicopter looks like!!!! Butch you da MAN!!!
Don't count the screws... make the screws count...
Not so fast. I was tagged for amount of screws as well.
Did you get to work on that in West Palm?
I was the crew chief.
Back when I was a young buck.
This was my young buck days.
We some cool MoFo's back in the day. Now I am just and OF. Ha
Great pic my Brother. Love the reflection in the water.
How she flying?
B
Thank you. She is flying extremely well. Illoking forward to next season already.
I remember that vid from way back . You have come a loooooooong way my friend.
B
Thank you. Seriously couldn't have done it with out you!!
Perfect timing! I just posted two new Jeti courses (not that you need them, but I use my own videos to remind me of how to do stuff in the radio)!
we all can always use a refresher.....
did you want to attach the video?
Oops.........yes I got side tracked. Ill up load it this evening. When I get home from work. Sorry
all fixed
Popsicle sticks to the rescue, way to innovate at the last minute.
The wind was quite strong at one point... So sad to hear that.
Yes it was. So sorry to hear about your damage. But what better time to upgrade than rebuild time.