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[zooma]

Running a Thunder Tiger AVANTI is something that I enjoy doing - and it gives me something that is easy to run when I am working on "new builds" or restoring old Classic Model Powerboats from the 1960's (my main interest) as it only needs a modest amount of time to prepare and run.

The problem is that these excellent little ARTR boats have been obsolete for some time and when they need replacement parts they are no longer available - not even from the manufacturer (Thunder Tiger) - so substitute parts have to be used - and the propeller is one of them as the originals are plastic and can become damaged with use.

Any 40mm two bladed propeller should work well enough to replace the similar sized original (I thought) - but this is not proving to be quite as simple as it should be.

I fitted a new two bladed metal prop as it looked to be the the same size both in terms of diameter and pitch and I thought it would make a really good replacement, and being metal it might be regarded as an "upgrade"  that could  become a "fit and forget" part .

The first time I run the AVANTI with this new metal prop, I noticed that when I opened the throttle the boat initially revved without moving forwards before taking off.  With the original plastic prop re-fitted this never happened so this "cavitation" (observers tell me this is what it is called) was only seen when the metal prop was fitted.

Once the boat got moving it was fast enough,  but when it was running towards me I could see that it was "twisted" (running at an angle!). The AVANTI usually runs nice and "flat" with no signs of  "torque twist".  Again, after re-fitted the original plastic prop this strange attitude disseared and the model run nice and flat again.

Yet another difference that was obvious when the boat was fitted with the metal prop was that the steering became very much faster and "jerky" and the boat was not happy to accept gentle rudder inputs to give a smooth course, but "snatched" from side too side - again perhaps a side effect of the increased torque and the hull running at an angle rather than being "flat" on the water.  Re-fitting an original propeller again cured this problem straight away as the boat began to run smoothly and "groove" nicely.

Running with an original Thunder Tiger propeller would be the obvious cure - but these are no longer available - so I need to find a replacement prop that is readily available that will work and perform like the original does.

Has anyone else had a similar problem with a Thunder Tiger AVANTI?   This may not be a characteristic that is restricted to the AVANTI  - it may equally affect other similar sized "flattie" type model boat.

I need to source a 40mm prop that will work on my AVANTI - perhaps a spare part for a similar type of  ARTR "flattie" type boat would work.

When I find one that works I will buy a couple so I can keep one as a spare as I have always noticed that when I have a spare part for something it will probably never be needed - but when I don't have a spare part - "sods law" kicks-in and I wish I had one 

[zooma]

I have been told that Thunder Tiger re-released the AVANTI - but under a different name and it was called OUTLAW OBL.

From what I can see from the odd picture that I have been able to find, it does look like Thunder Tiger have used the AVANTI hull but given it  two new paint schemes.

The AVANTI was only available in a relatively plain BLUE or ORANGE colour with very little decoration, but the OUTLAW OBL does look to have been given a more decorative finish and has two new hull colours YELLOW and GREEN.

I cannot find a lot of information about this "new model" and I understand that the OUTLAW OBL is also now OBSOLETE , so my hope of finding a fresh source of spare parts for my AVANTI is not looking any better .........