Century Hummingbird V4

Jan 7, 2007
Perspective from an almost raw beginners point of view.
Keep in mind that this is my 1st "real" copter so not really qualified for an "in depth" review on flight characteristics. But, with past fixed wing experience still consider myself good with basics and will share my experiences for those contemplating buying one. I read about the Hummingbird in RC Copter magazine and it gave a good rating. Here are my own thoughts.
 
1: Ignore the 100% ready to fly out of the box hype. I'm sure an experienced pilot could have test flown it, but the setup and trims were nowhere close to being "right" when received. Front to rear CG balance was right on but the flybar was far enough off (side to side) to cause considerable vibration as well as partially to blame for the somewhat erratic flight characteristics it showed on the 1st attempt to fly. It took me about 3 days of tinkering with servo linkages and adjusting the mix to the rear rotor to get it to a point where I could keep it in the air for more than a few seconds.
2: I don't recall reading it in the RC magazine or any ads but noticed in the instruction manual that came with it that the tail rotor motor will need to be replaced after about 20 flights. Luckily the stock tail motors are cheap and would have already ordered a spare if they had not been out of stock. (Hopefully they will be in stock before I need one)
3: The main rotor head is like the rest of the bird, made from plastic. The screws that hold the main blades to the rotor head are 4-40 thread machine screws and will strip the rotor head easily. I've already used thin CA glue and retapped the threads on mine after about 3 days of use. It seems to be holding up pretty good since that but have ordered a couple of spares as well as an extra battery. There is also a thin fiberglass "stiffener" underneath the rotor head that breaks almost instantly. I repaired mine by CA gluing it to a piece of plastic milk carton and cutting out around it. It too seems to be holding up well with the homebrew repair.
4: The battery is good for about 6 minutes of operation, but after about 2 minutes of flight time, control starts getting erratic. I'm guessing it's a case of reduced voltage going into the receiver or to the tail motor. (Or my thumbs just get dumb one) My next heli will have a belt driven tail and real gyro though.
 
Enough complaining though. In less than a week I have reached the point of being able to hover it for about 10 seconds, and keep it in the air somewhat under control for around a minute. (My indoor flight area is only about 25 feet wide so when it starts getting away I set it down immediately Just too many large metal racks and other obstacles that could cause serious damage).
The instructional DVD that comes with the model is a little on the boring side, but does have some good information in it. The flight simulator software that comes with it works well once you get it set up. And for the price of less than $200.00 for the complete package it seems to be a good beginners choice as it is for the most part durable. It's hit the floor hard several times already. Other than the above mentioned rotor head and stiffener no serious damage so far.
January 16th 2007
The training wheels are off!
After a week of 2 flights (2 full cycles of the battery pack. Many short duration flights) a day decided I was getting good enough to remove the training gear last Thursday. It really made a big improvement in the way it flies without the added pendulum effect of it. Under control flight times have improved immensely.
On the down side I have since reached the 20 flight mark where replacement of the tail motor is suggested and can see that it needs to be done since rudder trim is changing and becoming very inconsistant. Sometimes it looks like a fish swimming as the tail starts swinging back and forth of it own accord.
On the up side, the tail motors are back in stock @ Century Heli and should have 2 of them arriving this coming Thursday. And, my Walkera 60 arrived yesterday so I still have something to play with in the meantime. Look for more on it later after it's been flown.
I would recommend the Hummingbird for anyone looking for an entry level beginners heli. It might not be as precise or responsive as a 3D copter but it does make up for the precision shortcomings by being extremely durable and capable of lasting through the learning curve. I've knocked the main rotor off it several times and it just pops back on so you can be on your way again. Chances are if (when) I have a blade strike with the Walkera 60 it will have more severe consequences.
January 27th, 2007
The Hummingbird might not be stable or precise, but it is one tough little trainer.
Although I've reached the point of being able to keep it in the air for a full battery duration (6 minutes plus) I've found myself crashing it even more often the past few days. Most of these crashes have come from silly things like trying to land it on a box or on a desk. Getting a little too close to an object with the main rotor, etc.
The great thing is that so far there has been no real damage to it. It usually knocks the rotor head off, but it snaps right back on and is ready to continue. So far the only thing I've had to replace is a tail motor. I shudder to think about what some of the crashes  would do to my Walkera 60.
Even though I like the way the Walkera flys much better, I'll still be working with this little copter for a while. At least until I've gotten flying nose in and making turns a little better.
January 29th, 2007
I finally managed to break something on the indestructible Hummingbird. I guess it must have happened Friday and I didn't even notice it until this evening when I decided to take off the canopy and make a little gyro adjustment. The front landing gear strut is broken. I'm surpised they lasted this long considering the abuse I've given them. It's been set down hard on more than one occasion. 
Looks like the bird is grounded for a few days while I wait for the crash kit to arrive. Landing gear struts alone price was $15 and change or crash kit that includes new blades (both) landing gear struts and battery holder for $20 and change. I went ahead and ordered another spare tail motor while I was at it. It might not be a fancy 3D machine, but is fun to play with and I plan to fly it for some time to come. Guess I'll be limited to a couple of two minute teaser flights a day with the Walkera for the next few days.