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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 .........

[zooma]

I have been able to find a new and boxed Thunder Tigre Outlaw OBL to add to my fleet of Avanti craft.


This updated Avanti has a different style of radio box - instead of the very handy black coloured clip-on sealed lid, it now has a clear see-through sealed top that is held on with a thumb screw on each of its four corners.


Being able to see inside the radio box has its advantages, but it will be much slower to remove and replace the LiPo after each run - and given the short run time that any of these types of  ARTR fast plastic boats (of any type) has, this is not quite as good.


This boat is moulded in yellow, so it adds a third colour to join my existing fleet of original Blue and Orange coloured Avanti craft (the pictures on the box show that there is also a green coloured Outlaw OBL, but I have never seen one of these).


I have yet to sail my latest "Avanti", but I don't expect it to perform any differently to my original pair - and unfortunately it also shares the same situation of having no spare parts available.


The same "fold-back" rudder assembly (on all Avanti and Outlaw OBL models)  is a nice feature that protects the rudder if it should strike a submerged object (such as a rock) and the "O" ring that supports this feature needs to be changed from time to time as they tend to perish with age.


"O" rings are easily available from a number of different sources, but if any of the plastic moulded parts of the rudder assembly should get damaged,  a conventional metal rudder assembly would have to be substituted due to the non availability of any spare parts for the Avanti or Outlaw OBL.


My search for spare parts will continue as I would like to keep these excellent "fun" models running (in original specification) for as long as possible as they do perform really well and I really like they way that they "look" on the water.

[Subculture]

How well matched is your replacement prop to the original? Blade pitch, shape and area all affect performance.

From your description, I would suspect the replacement item has more pitch if diameter is the same. Look for something the same pitch and blade area- Prop shop do a very comprehensive range and can usually match shaft holes to your requirements.

[zooma]

How well matched is your replacement prop to the original? Blade pitch, shape and area all affect performance.

From your description, I would suspect the replacement item has more pitch if diameter is the same. Look for something the same pitch and blade area- Prop shop do a very comprehensive range and can usually match shaft holes to your requirements.

Thanks Subculture.


I have thought about asking the Prop Shop to make a replica prop for me - and one day I may do exactly that now that I have a new example on my boxed Outlaw OBL to refer to (copy).


A brass prop would not "flex" or "distort" when under power and may even deliver an improved performance (?).


Bob.

[Subculture]

Simon generally offers three materials- silicone bronze- a brass alloy, stainless steel and Aluminium. The last one is ideal for a fast boat, as it's light and easy to balance and more than strong enough. He'll have some props ideal for that boat I'm sure.

[minimariner]

                        ZOOMA,
                                         Email sent.

[zooma]

                        ZOOMA,
                                         Email sent.

Not received an email from you yet, but I will respond as soon as I do.


Kind regards,


Bob.

[zooma]

How well matched is your replacement prop to the original? Blade pitch, shape and area all affect performance.

From your description, I would suspect the replacement item has more pitch if diameter is the same. Look for something the same pitch and blade area- Prop shop do a very comprehensive range and can usually match shaft holes to your requirements.

I will find the metal prop that I tested and look more closely at the detailed comparison.


When I first found this new metal prop it did look very much like a replica of the original Thunder Tigre moulded one that came with the boat - not only in size, but also in diameter  and the amount of “twist” (pitch) looked the same to the naked eye as well.


This is why the huge difference in the way the boat reacted came as such a surprise- leading me to suspect that the lack of “flex” in the metal prop was likely to be the main difference between them.