Resources: Manuals, How-to, Reviews, Videos
Sections below include links to the complete manual, information on Airframe, Propulsion, and Avionics. There are also links to reviews and videos. Browse and learn, then go fly!
Resource Topics
Kit contents
You’ve mulled it over, decided a Pantera P6 is right for you, and pulled the trigger to build yourself one. While you wait, questions include, what have I let myself in for?
Tooling up
Gathering up the tools to build your model helicopter begins with metric Allen and nut drivers. Here we review the contents of an experienced builder's tool box.
Rotor blades
Selecting a set of blades for your 600-class model may seem confusing. Ranging from $20-120, in order of increasing price, materials include wood, fiberglass, and carbon fiber. Our advice if you're new is start off with a set of woodies.
Heads up
Before someone took 3 single-axis gyros and combined them in one to create the first 3-axis gyro, helis used a mechanical gyro for pitch-and-roll, plus a single-axis gyro for tail rotor.
On-the-fly fuel mix
At last, servo controlled fuel-mixture adjustments! Fine tuning in flight, whilst hearing your engine going rich or lean under load? Now that's a game changer!
Servo selection
Hobby grade servos good enough? Consideration for these servo packages goes beyond weight, torque, speed, and price, so don't waste your time with this.
2S flight packs
2-cell lithium batteries power most models. Do you rely on cells comprised of plastic bags to save weight, or rugged steel shells? Choose wisely!
RF systems
When it comes to RF systems, guess what? We don't have 'religion' regarding brands (and helis don't care) but we do have a few thoughts.
Protecting your investment
Finally, a common sense way to protect your engine against damaging airborne particles, dirt ingested during a chicken dance, and clutch liner dust.
New engines
When it comes to propulsion for your model, you're going to need an engine and muffler. For most folks, this means a new engine, so let me share a few thoughts.
Carb teardown
So the engine's running poorly, bolts are tight, bearings are good, tried fresh fuel, plus a new glow plug, but it still runs like crap? Time for some carb troubleshooting!
Engine repairs
New engines are over $400, yet refurbing (usually an inexpensive set of bearings, plus maybe a new ring) is easy. We’ll show you how to R&R yours on the cheap!
Used engines
Shocked we’d guide you to a used engine? Don’t be because there are plenty of deals out there and most used engines can be brought back with new bearings plus ring.
We’ve put together a nice compilation of building and setup videos. These aren’t professional videos but ones created by regular folks enthused and sharing what they’re doing with their Pantera. Your critical insight comes through an overview of what other folks encountered during their build. And while some videos are decades old, and thus, not just P6, but Pantera 50 and Tiger 50, too, the content remains on point!
What actually flies isn’t the heli, but the blades! And given any set of 600mm blades turning at, for example, 2300rpm, and then inputting 8° of cyclic, then whether the airframe is a Goblin or Pantera doesn't matter because the reaction force about the CG is exactly the same! Also doesn't matter if the main shaft’s turned with a .55-class engine, 12S electrons, or hamsters in an exercise wheel. Same-same results because of physics!