Raygun's Blazing Star =Super Tail= Installation

[akent]

Raygun has outdone himself with this tail for the Blazing Star!!
Not only is it a work of engineering art, it is virtually indestructible!

The stock tail on the Blazing Star (BS) is made of brittle plastic, and quite realistically can break if you set the heli down normally. It is guaranteed to break if it hits anything.

The only thing needed with this kit is a carbon fiber hunting arrow. I just took the bracket with the nylon bolt with me to a hunting store and there was a perfect arrow for a couple of bucks.
These arrows have a threaded aluminum insert for hunting tips. This just threads onto the nylon bolt. Ingenious!

[akent]

Stock tail:

[akent]

You begin by removing the stock tail. There are four screws, two on the top and two on the bottom of the tail.
These things are TINY!!!

[akent]

With the tail removed, the aluminum bracket with the nylon bolt is installed by removing two screws near the motor and using them to mount the bracket.
Note the precision machining for the bracket where it goes around the motor!!

[akent]

Now you can install the lexan cover mounted with the same screws as the stock tail section. The bolt on the bracket perfectly lines up with the hole, so there is no need to wait to install this cover. This cover also provides additional support for the boom.

[akent]

Now, screw the arrow into the nylon bolt to determine the length.
It is REALLY strong!

[akent]

I just eyeballed the length and then cut the shaft with a dremel cutoff wheel.
It might be a little too long, but I think it still looks Ok. Here it is next to the stock tail.
Then you slide on the horizontal fin, and slip in the vertical fin, and it's complete!!

[akent]

I pulled the chrome plastic motor off of the stock tail and CA'd it to the lexan cover. Looks kind of cool there!

[akent]

The installation was super easy!
The yellow carbon fiber look fins are a nice aesthetic touch!

EVERYONE who owns a Blazing Star NEEDS this tail!

It is virtually indestructible, as I found out trying to video the BS in the air after the installation. It was too windy, and a gust threw the heli into my golf cart.
All of the blades broke, the motor flew off never to be found again, but the tail is PERFECT!
That crash would have easily turned a stock tail into plastic dust.

I sure hope you can begin to sell these. They would be a wonderful addition to these helis.

Thanks again Ray and man am I impressed by your engineering skills!

Best,
Kent

[Solitaire]

Very impressive. I think Ray has been holding out on us. Wonder what else he has in his little bag of tricks?

How's the CG after the transformation, Kent?

[akent]

Hi Solitaire:
The CG was actually not too far different from stock. I just moved the battery slightly forward and it was fine.

I think Ray has a trick for the battery, too. I think you can see here how far I had to move it. Not much:

[Raygun]

Man thanks Kent for all your work on this great step by step pictures. I am already in the process of making the yellow transition piece different with a blue strobe in it. That was really impressive as to the strength of the tail I would have never thought of testing it like that those arrows are strong! Thanks again. Ray

[McKrackin]

Nice mod Ray.
Excellent presentation Kent.

Good job guys.

[akent]

Apr 11, 2009 13:51:42 GMT -6 Raygun said:

Man thanks Kent for all your work on this great step by step pictures. I am already in the process of making the yellow transition piece different with a blue strobe in it. That was really impressive as to the strength of the tail I would have never thought of testing it like that those arrows are strong! Thanks again. Ray

Yes, the CF arrows are strong, but your combination of how you built the aluminum bracket with the bolt leveraged with the lexan outer body is what made this thing strong! Not just strong, but indestructible!
Kent

[coffinsnail]

since the arrow shaft is hollow i wonder if youd get good reception running it thru the shaft then once out the backend wrapping it around the outside of it and using a spot of hot glue to hold the end in place?!