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They've incorporated a new frame with better head cooling and is much stronger than the original Raptor 30 frame. They've enlarged the clutch to have the raw opwer of the 50 class engines and the demands of hard 3D flying. A new head design includes a larger feathering spindle with larger thrust bearing for better control and reliability. Also the new 30V2 has a larger start shaft to go along with the new heavy duty clutch system. Now stardard equipment includes a new Ringed 39 engine which is a big improvment over the original ABC 36. The tail rotor system is now the same system that the Raptor 50 and 60 use, again this is a major improvemtn to reliability and performance. Thunder Tiger has even streamlined the canopy giving it a much sleeker and muck more appealing look than the stock raptor 30/50 canopies. These machines are priced very attractively and TT is to be commended for their efforts, I firmly believe they have another winner worthy to be named the Raptor 30V2. I was fortunate enough to see the new Raptor 30V2 prior to public release this summer. I have some pictures of the new RAPTOR 30V2 HERE . Improved features now provide the entry-level helicopter pilot a stable learning platform while satisfying what the 3D pilots asked for. The .30 V2 features tough redesigned side frames, reinforced pitch control arm, improved swash plate, new fuel tank, new muffler, and a fresh new look in a colorful body shell. The rapid cyclic response makes it possible for the 3D pilot to execute crisp maneuvers like the Tic-Toc, Chaos, Death Spirals, and some we have not seen yet! Add the optional upgrades such as the PV 0379 Auto Rotation Gear and do 3D maneuvers during auto-rotation. Other options include, the all-metal Main Rotor Hub, Main Rotor Grip, Tail Rotor Plate and many more. Field test vividly indicate that the performance will exceed the expectations of the most seasoned 3D pilot while providing everything a new pilot will require. Pilot input and Thunder Tiger engineers took the your request seriously. Now the Raptor .30 V2 has noticeable features to include frame stand offs for header tanks, and the all newly designed Thunder Tiger Pro 39H engine for more demanding task and crisp performance. This can be your first helicopter or a replacement for the more experienced rotor wing jock. Your decision is backed by a long list of satisfied Raptor pilots keeping Thunder Tiger #1. |
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Since releasing the Raptor 30V2 Thunder Tiger has naturally released a Raptor 50V2 as well as an upgrade to take your Raptor 30V2 to a 50V2. And if that isn't enough, they've came out with a Raptor 30V1 to V2 conversion. However I don't think they are selling many if any due to the extremely high parts count in the V2 upgrade which cost almost as much as a new V2 alone. You can get more info regarding the Raptor 50V2 HERE |
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Thunder Tiger introduced the Raptor 60 varient a year or so after the 30. Everyone hoped and expected it to be everything the 30 was in a new 60 size machine. Unfortunately, the first release of the Raptor 60 had some problems. Thunder Tiger chose a shaft drive tail commonly known as a "Torque Tube" with plastic gears. The red plastic gears were of poor quality and stripped very easy and the fit wasn't perfect causing more problems. Quality Control problems showed up in the main rotor hub where many received hubs that were drilled crooked or had other QC problems causing vibrations and other problems. The plastic Elevator A-Arms were too brittle and easily broke as well. The torque tube was known to slip on several helis, I lost my Raptor 60 on the 3rd flight due to the endcap slipping inside the tube.. AceHobby did pony up and replace the parts all free except for my non stock 680 carbon blades. Recently, Thunder Tiger released a V2 Raptor 60, it came with several improvements including new white tail gears and transmission gears, new rotor hub, new auto-rotation hub, new oval links and A-arms, updated tail rotor grip screws,a new front canopy brace and new blade grip reducers for running 12mm root blades, unfortunately these require the rare 5mm bolts. Use the JR aluminum set that has reducers for the root down to 12mm and it also center reduces the bolt holes to the more common 4mm type. I bought a V2 Raptor 60 and I can honestly tell you I really like it. It flies extremely well and hovers like it is on a table. This is the most affordable 60 ship on the market these days and the crash cost index is only slightly higher than a 30 or 46 class machine. Thunder Tiger released a 46/50 upgrade kit for the Raptor 30 recently and it is a great upgrade. I chose an OS-46 FX-H for the engine and ordered the converion kit and I can tell you I am exptremely pleased with the performance. I have better power to weight than my Raptor 60. It really is a sweet flying heli and with the larger 600mm blades it flies so much better. Convert your Raptor 60 to a Raptor 90? You bet... Thunder Tiger has released a factory 90 upgrade for the Raptor 60/70. It includes a longer boom, linkage and torque tube as well as longer boom support struts. A new pinion gear which is an 11 tooth replacing the stock 10 tooth. This brings the gear ratio down to 8.45./1.Personally, I think that is too tall a ratio so I opted for the new 91 tooth main gear. The 91 tooth main meshes much better with the larger pinion and brings down the ratio to 8.27 when used with the 11 tooth pinion. You also get a heavy duty clutch, clutch bell and line, it's about 50% larger surface area than the stock unit. I'm not running 710 SAB blades on my Raptor 91 with 105mm MAH tail blades. It's everybit as big as my Fury Extreme after this upgrade. Here's a few pages of my Raptor 60, 70 and 90. Plenty of pics showing modifications and upgrades. |
