Aye, the Kraken...
I've been in and out of the model helicopter hobby a few times in nearly 50 years, overcoming a divorce, the loss of both parents, two serious car accidents and multiple job changes. I started back around 6 years ago, it was with some very small and inexpensive models that could only help me practice at a slow pace. I've since upgraded to larger models that are more powerful and fly with more authority. The only drawback is the cost... several thousand per model. It's a fact that no serious pilot can get by with only one radio controlled helicopter.It's not possible for me to dedicate myself to the sport like I want... there are other obligations. 30 years ago, I recall levels of obsession where I would come home from work and practice on a computer simulator for 2 hours, break for dinner and get back to another 2 or 3 hours of practice.
It didn't matter how good I got, as going to competition or fun-fly events I could always find guys who were better pilots... much better. There was a guy who invented an electronic device, patented it and sold the product to a car manufacturer. His company was self sufficient to the point where he didn't have to work and would come to Florida every winter to practice flying at a local field for several hours each day.
Being exposed to that level of talent was incentive to continue improving and never reaching a plateau.
Most of us are flying 'pod & boom' style helicopters at have a fiberglass canopy to cover the motor and electronics with a long tail boom and a few fins. They aren't attractive, but fly great. There is a visual drawback, so we often wrap them in brightly colored sticky tape so they can be seen better when far away.
Often these models have names that reflect the size of the blades, like Logo 700 or RAW 580. 700 indicates the main blade length is 700 millimeters. Others have cool names like Dominator or Whiplash. There is one model that has a full fuselage to look like a real helicopter. Lots of guys have them but not too many are out flying them. Mentioned on a previous blog, a friend buys and sells models and recently picked up some used helicopters in a package deal that he plans to maintain and resell. One was a model called Kraken, named after the legendary sea monster.
I've seen them fly. They are very attractive and easy to see in the air. So, I made my friend an offer to trade one of my pod & boom models plus some cash for his Kraken.
He accepted the offer. Part of the deal was to go through the electronics and make sure all was good. He rewired a few connections because the guy who built it originally wasn't meticulous.
After initial testing, my friend flew it, made a few tweaks in the settings and handed it to me to try. Yes, smooth and predictable.
I've only got 2 sets of batteries that fit this model and this week, I'll order 2 more!
Aye, the Kraken...
Comments (4)
I did a bit of rc cars and once I won a local run with some 10 othere cars.
It was with a Tamiya Hotshot on 8.4v over the normal 7.2.
It was an open class so it was ok with a bit punch. I won by keeping my head cool.
As long back as the good old late 1980's this was.
I would like to try soem flying but last I did I found out quickly that as a beginner you need a stable machine. lol
Now I know. Rc sailing I'd like to try as well.
I'm getting about 6 minutes per flight with easy flying and not hard stunts. I put new blades on it and have 4 sets of batteries. Limited by time, I only flew it 3 times on Sunday, with 2 of those flights making adjustments for the blade pitch range, RPM and speed of the controls.
So far, I like it, as it's easy to see in the sky, behaves well with no unwanted vibration or quirks. Power and speed when I want it and precise when I'm doing some slow maneuvers.
While the Kraken has been around for a few years, it hasn't been discontinued by the manufacturer, so repair/replacement parts are available. The helicopter I used in the trade was actually one of my favorites, but an older model where the American distributor often has back-orders on parts and new kits from Germany.
Always waiting for parts to arrive, we've heard rumors they aren't doing well. Most of the other helicopter companies have issued new models (even if they share parts from previous models) every other year. We haven't seen anything new in at least 6 years and a few of their models were discontinued. Not a good sign for the future with that brand.