Tail Shaft

I have had two tail shafts bend with no crash or outside force. Setup is H8 Motor, 19 Tooth Pinion, 3S Thunder Power 2100 LiPo. Several other people have reported this same issue on rcgroups, in the electric heli forum, in the bulding and flying a Viper 70 thread. It seems the stock tail shaft is too soft and will bend just from normal RPM.

Perhaps a hardened shaft would help, the current word through dealers is no hardened shafts in the US.


I'm really looking forward to flying my Viper 70; this looks like a "perfect size" helicopter, sized between my Shogun and Logo 10. In particular, I'm looking forward to a good solid tail.

Any word on hardened tail shafts? Or other resolution of this issue?

Thanks!

[cme]

Hi Danal,
I have a similar set up. I have the h8 and have been flying with out any issues other than the lipo getting a bit hot. I believe I'm drawing to much from the battery pak. My plan is to put two 1320 together rather than one 2000 mah. I'm surprised the tail shaft is bending as the gear driven section is surrounded by the gears. Mine flys great. I like the large tail tube, which contibutes to a solid flight without any tail flex like the smaller micros. The canopy is also nice. Ikarus is planning to sell the hardened tail shaft and main shaft but I guess they are not in yet. Good luck with your flying. What other forums did you see information on the viper?
Thanks

[will p2]

Wow! that sure is bent! did it bend in flight? spool up?. melt in the sun [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img].

[ QUOTE ]
Wow! that sure is bent! did it bend in flight? spool up?. melt in the sun [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img].

[/ QUOTE ]

The helicopter was spooling up. It had been running at normal RPM for about 30 seconds when it bent. Absolutely no outside force; this spoolup was just a test/tracking spoolup in my dining room! As of this posting, I have been through three stock tailshafts.

There are lots and lots of details in the various Viper threads here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=17

While some people are flying OK, some are people reporting this problem. No response from Ikarus that I can see, here or in any other forum.

Ikarus, what's up with the tail?

[cme]

I'm currently running the brushless setup and have had several successful flights. I have the h8 with a 2430 lipo, I'm not doing any 3d, but I'm flying the heck out of it in forward flight.

[mestdaght]

I have absolute no experience with a viper.
just an idea.
Is it possible the belt blocked for some reason, not enough tension or so and then bend the tailshaft.