Century Swift RC Helicopter Owners Thread

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Links to important information about Century Swift helicopter.
HeliTown Century Swift Owners Organized threads
http://www.helitown.com/Swift.html

[eddiemoth]

I just wanted to add a few Swift pictures.

[craigoku]

The first swift is Adams, 2nd Garetts, 3rd Rogers.

[eddiemoth]

craigoku, welcome to HeliTown and I hope you stick around and help us. Wow, you know all these swifts. Do you have a swift? I am thinking of getting one but now I am stuck with a Trex450 S. Maybe some time next year. Any recommendation on the set up?
Thanks
Eddie

[craigoku]

Hey Eddie,

Sorry, I have not been posting. Yes, have 2 Swifts. 620SE and a Carbon Swift 620SE. I'm in the back ground of picture 2 I tihnk with the blue Fromeco hat wearing the Red Century shirt.

I'll be the guy with the helis no one has yet flying demos.

Let me know if you guys need any help!

Thanks,


Craig

[eddiemoth]

craig
Thanks for dropping by. I am sorry I didn't get to know you before last Century Jamboree otherwise I would have a close up pictures for you here :) I go to Century Jamboree or Funfly event very year in Fremont - so next time I'll see you there and taking lots of pictures for the forum.

[NeilM]

Discovered today that a new LHS has the Swift in stock, along with quite a few other heli's, both nitro and electric. Did not get a chance to talk to the owner unfortunately, I was 'at work' and there was a guy who had £30 in his pocket that he was determined to spend...you know:

"So what's the best motor for my 'lectric car (mentions Tamiya model that went out of production five years ago), can I get one for £30?....what about a new battery are they £30?.....them servos look cool, would they suit my car? How many for £30?"

I will go back, but what are the general views on the Swift?

[swatson144]

The general consensus is that it is a nice heli in a nice niche. It's getting very popular because of the flexibility of powering it. The parts are economically priced it's a dang good value and a dang good heli to boot.

Steve

[G-MRM]

I have the Swift kit heli, the motor is under powered. It is Ok to get you to the hover and circuits but no power if you take on a little wind ! I am looking to the upgrade motor, the 600 + from Century if you want to keep to 4 Li-Po cells. Had good reports of this but another £70 to spend (134 USD)

Not sure the kit is the best way to go from the start, better go with the heli and pick your own parts ( batt, ESC and motor)

[NeilM]

I think another visit is on the cards, as from the type of kits in the store and the type of spares, I would say he is a flyer, so I should get some real advice.

It seems the Swift does not have the following in the UK that is does in the States. I think the UK is still up to it's neck in TREX FEVER.

Oh, saw one of those in the shop too, a 450. Aren't they small?

Neil

[G-MRM]

If I had my time again I would have skipped the Swift and just had two Rex 600's !!!!!!!!!!!

[NeilM]

I'm starting out with a Corona, I think a jump from that to a Trex600 would be a little.....expensive :shock: .

I was thinking Logo 10 or Swift next, and finding a LHS with them in stock, along with some of the Robbe range, just makes the choice a little easier.

The decision is not made yet though, but I did see some features on the Swift that I liked.

Neil

[swatson144]

Hi Neil,

Smart money is to bide your time a little. I'd guess you have at least 6 months on the Corona before you get the hang of all orientations and being able to do circuits figure 8s etc. That would be pretty much 2 packs a day. The way new helis are coming out who knows what will be available in the next year?. One thing is pretty certain until you get pretty proficient at flight you won't really have an idea of what you want.

The other thing about waiting is you can decide what you really want and get some good deals on used motors etc, from the guy who bought the best this year but NEEDs the best next year.

Like G-MRM mentioned the kits usually leave a lot to be desired on any heli. It's that whole price point thing, and I'd rather spend 100$ more and get at least lower high end components.


Steve

[NeilM]

Wise words as ever Steve :)

BTW, how many model helis do you own? :D :D

I see tasty little treats on the net all the time, and for me I am being very controlled, I would usually have at least five models by now :shock:

I see new stuff coming on the market, which means 'old' stuff for sale at bargain prices, but I am also wised up enough to know that I should really consider models where a local supply of spares is available. The store in Bristol seems to major on Raptor's, as well as Century and Robbe. They are also the Vario reps for the South West. Now Vario do a REALLY nice big trainer..........

Neil

[swatson144]

I try to keep it under 8 that actually fly. Admittedly sometimes I take the blades of of #9 to stay under the limit. :lol:

The Broker and G-MRM are the ones trying to collect and fly the whole set!

Steve

[G-MRM]

Hang on. if you have 8 to 9 WE should have 16 to 18, I am short changing myself..... :lol: :lol: LHS tomorrow......

[NeilM]

YOU'RE short changing yourself!!

I've only got one, and the weather is so bad here, I've not even had the chance to try it yet :cry:

Neil

[G-MRM]

We have been waiting to see your flight log !! Sunday was Ok in the uK ?

Can't you fly anywhere in-doors? I did the 'Rads school' in-doors where you just move it around the floor to start with getting the hang of things without lifting off. I had a sheet of hardboard down, only 4-5 ft square so it could slide easy.

[NeilM]

I did not have a Tx on Saturday!!! Also, I was due down in Devon for the day.

My lounge is big, but full of 'pretty' things that my wife likes. I have a double garage, but that is my workshop and full of all sorts of stuff, so really it is just the back garden, where I have a superb grass landing pad...I mean patio.

I'll get there in a bit. The weather is supposed to be calmer and colder next week, that'll do.

Neil

[craigoku]

Taller frames 2 thick wide main gears.

Runnin 10's Thunder Power 3300s 5s in series.

25 amps in a hove 73 max

[G-MRM]

Wow that looks a cool bird !!

Did you have a std Swift or is this your first?

I must say I am liking the Swift much more now that I fly it and don't just hover it !! I have bought another battery and it always gets flown now!

Well your on 10 cells so it must be like a rocket !!!! More pics please !

Very nice !

Martin

[craigoku]

LOL, this is my 3rd Swift. I also have a Carbon 620se Prototype 8s.

I'll get some pix's loaded before leaving for IRCHA.

[admin]

Hi Craig, do you know when Carbon Swift series in the Market or it is a secret at this point? Are you going to fly at IRCHA? Can't wait to see more pics.

[craigoku]

Yes, I will be at IRCHA Wed, but you prob won't see me till Thursday.

I'll be bring the 10s and 8s Swifts. Look me up.

Believe they are a few months out. We are just finalizing the new wide HD belts.

I'll post some pix's of what's coming in a bit.

[craigoku]

Here is both 8s and 10s Carbon 620 se. I painted this with house of color paints.

[craigoku]

Here are some prototype upgrades that will be coming soon. They all check out! Yes, they have triple bearings.

[craigoku]

Some of the insides of the 10 and 8. The 8s is the one with the red can motor.

[G-MRM]

Thanks for showing us, what size blades will this support now ?

Martin

[craigoku]

I'm running Rotor Tech 610's but it will support 620's.

[Gadget01]

Swift 16
6s 4900 evo25
Jazz 55-10-32
CC 10a BEC
Neu 1910h/1y, 10t pinion, 2100 rpm's
hs6965's for the swash, 401-s9254 on the tail
MAH 555mm mains, 85mm RT tails, K&B yellow paddles
7 minutes of sporty flying

[swatson144]

Joe found the problem with his swift's tail and brought it over to show me.

Never saw one that well worn before.

Steve

[mtpenguin]

Is that the belt gear near the main gear? Or is it it torque tube gear?

B-)

[swatson144]

Belt drive pulley and gear. The black ring of missing toofers on the pulley side. The gear teeth that are "kinda not new" were from a previous problem but we didn't have a spare on hand and it was a great day for him to be hovering. The pulley part was in excellen condition that day.

Steve

[mtpenguin]

Holy cow!

You mean that belt wore all the way through the gear right down to the axle?


That is some serious hovering!


B-)

[Skytrek]

Someone needs to tell Joe to take it easy. He's known for some serious hovering that can put huge G-forces on heli parts.:D:D Owing a few swifts myself I must say Joe broke new ground with this particular failure. Steve you think the belt got loose or the set screws on the gears shaft fell out?? Obviously something bound the gear up. Weird!

You go Joe Crash!!:D

[swatson144]

I think a loose belt may have been a factor. :D

Steve

[MD500E HPD]

Anyone can help me out in setting up my bird to fly with 5 blades, that darn thing is sooo twitchy, I have a DX7 with lots of Exponential, swash mix is as follows: Aile.23 Elev.23 Pit.48 7 pos.8 neg.3 with 530mm but would use 600mm later anybody can help?

[swatson144]

My only multi blade has the Hirobo fully flapping head. If you are flying with a rigid head, weighted blades will help but the real answer would be in a 2 or 3 axis stabilization system. Multis have some rather odd characteristic in flight without stabilization. I'm currently flying mine without (http://www.rchelicoptertown.com/forum/showpost.php?p=29671&postcount=19) so it isn't getting a whole lot of use, as it tends to train me to do things that aren't needed on a 2 bladed scale.

Steve