Undercart V3

 

Overview

This is a short review of the new V3 undercart for the swift. The above pictures show it in comparison to the old V2 undercart and also the Century Hawk undercart that some fliers are using on their Swifts.

So what is new?

The new undercarriage is much thicker plastic than the previous undercarriage. This gives it a much more solid and less springy feel. So much so that I have decided to move my tail boom support struts back onto the undercarriage legs. The new struts are much more chunky all round than the previous offering and I believe they will not only be much more resilient but they will also not vibrate easily.

The other major change is that this undercarriage is also between 1-2 inches shorter than the previous offering and once fitted the Swift doesn't have the same look as previously. I had always thought that the Swift look like it was on stilts and somewhat resembled a bow legged cowboy. This new undercarriage removes that look and feel.

The problem is that having made the undercarriage shorter the tail fin would dig into the ground. In order to combat this Century have included to spacers with the new undercarriage. The spacers served to raise the rear of the Swift such that it has a new raked forward look. This angling of the frames allows the tail to clear the ground easily. It also gives the Swift a slightly meaner stance.

Having fitted the new undercarriage I am much more happy with the look and feel of the Swift. I feel confident that the undercarriage now has the sufficient strength required. I also now believe that this undercarriage can act as a reasonable mount point for the tail boom supports that went induce vibration on the tail boom. The below pictures show the new spacers and also the finished item fitted to the Swift.

 

Conclusion

Century have definitely got the undercarriage sorted out this time. The whole unit is much stronger and less prone to vibration. The Swift no longer looks like it is mounted on stilts and the new frame spacers serve to angle the whole helicopter forwards giving it a racy look as well as putting the tail fin nice and clear of the ground.

This undercarriage is now being shipped by Century USA as a standard part. The old undercarriage is no longer being produced and cannot be bought direct from Century USA. All in all an excellent update to the Swift.