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SAB Goblin RAW 700 Technical Dossier

1. Overview

The SAB Goblin RAW 700 is a high-performance 700-class competition radio-control helicopter engineered for extreme 3D flight and high-energy aerobatics. It utilizes SAB's signature belt-driven modular architecture, an ultra-lightweight aluminum-housed power train, an advanced adjustable rotor head, and a 12S electric propulsion layout.

SAB Heli Division positions the RAW 700 as an avant-garde competition machine, emphasizing rigidity, minimal aerodynamic drag, optimized center-of-gravity placement, and a permanent open canopy structural design that maximizes cooling efficiency for high-draw electronics.

Documentation status: SAB provides comprehensive assembly manuals and technical addendums for the Goblin RAW series through official distributor channels (SAB USA and Goblin Helicopters). The documentation outlines strict hardware tolerances, gear ratio configurations, and maintenance schedules.

This technical dossier synthesizes official factory specifications, manual data, and verified engineering calculations for the Goblin RAW 700 platform.

2. Contents

  1. Core specifications
  2. Airframe dimensions
  3. Main rotor system
  4. Main drivetrain
  5. Tail-drive system
  6. Power system
  7. Battery system
  8. Structural design
  9. Rotor head and swashplate
  10. Bearing and shaft information
  11. Servo installation
  12. FBL / gyro installation
  13. Canopy and aerodynamics
  14. Landing gear
  15. Headspeed analysis
  16. Gearing calculations
  17. Tail-speed calculations
  18. Rotor loading
  19. Battery energy calculations
  20. Real-world configurations
  21. Vibration and blackbox data
  22. Low-RPM operation
  23. Blade selection
  24. Motor/KV analysis
  25. Assembly information
  26. Known hardware
  27. Kit contents
  28. Important undocumented parameters
  29. Technical assessment

3. Core Technical Specifications

1,548 - 1,558 mm Main rotor diameter (w/ 690mm blades)
1,435 mm Overall length
345 mm Overall height
190 mm Overall width
2,620 g Published airframe weight (with blades, no battery/electronics)
21T Included Standard motor pulley (ratio options 18T-26T)
10.1:1 Standard main reduction (with 21T pulley)
4.9:1 Standard tail reduction
Parameter Specification
Model SAB Goblin RAW 700
Class 700-class electric 3D competition helicopter
Main rotor diameter 1,548 - 1,558 mm (depending on blade length)
Overall length 1,435 mm / 56.5 in
Overall height 345 mm / 13.6 in
Overall width 190 mm / 7.5 in
Published airframe weight 2,620 g / 5.78 lb (with blades, excluding electronics and battery)
Main blade length 650 mm to 720 mm (690 mm included in standard kit)
Tail blade length 105 mm to 115 mm (105 mm included in standard kit)
Tail rotor diameter 284 mm (with 105 mm tail blades)
Battery compartment 56 × 70 × 320 mm


The core mechanical specifications are documented in the official SAB Goblin RAW 700 assembly manuals and technical datasheets.

4. Airframe Dimensions

Dimension Metric Imperial
Main rotor diameter (690mm blades) 1,558 mm 61.3 in
Overall length 1,435 mm 56.5 in
Overall height 345 mm 13.6 in
Overall width 190 mm 7.5 in
Tail rotor diameter (105mm blades) 284 mm 11.2 in
Battery compartment dimensions 56 × 70 × 320 mm 2.2 × 2.8 × 12.6 in


The optimized fuselage layout combines a compact 1,435 mm overall length with a wide 1558 mm rotor circle, maximizing disk loading efficiency and agility.

5. Main Rotor System

The standard kit includes high-performance 690 mm carbon fiber main blades. The rotor head is engineered from high-grade 7075 aluminum alloy with extensive tuning adjustability.

Primary rotor dimensions

Component Specification
Main blade length range 650 mm to 720 mm
Included main blades 690 mm carbon fiber
Main rotor diameter 1,558 mm (with 690 mm blades)
Main shaft diameter 12 mm
Spindle (feathering shaft) diameter 10 mm


The head design incorporates a dampening system composed of 3 O-rings (defining rigidity) and a techno-polymer damper (defining maximum spindle travel range), allowing pilots to tailor flight response.

6. Main Drivetrain

Component Specification
Transmission enclosure Fully enclosed aluminum case with helical gears
Standard motor pulley 21T (included in kit)
Standard main reduction ratio 10.1:1 (with 21T pulley)
Available pulley range 18T to 26T (ratios from 12.1:1 to 8.8:1)


The enclosed modular power train utilizes heavy-duty helical gears and a Delrin swashplate guide. By swapping motor pulleys from 18T to 26T, the main reduction ratio can be tuned across a broad 12.1:1 to 8.8:1 window.

Main rotor RPM = Motor RPM ÷ Gear Ratio

7. Tail-Drive System

The RAW 700 utilizes an ultra-lightweight aluminum tail case with a 35 mm diameter 6082 aluminum tail boom. Large-diameter pulleys ensure high transmission efficiency.

Component Specification
Tail boom diameter 35 mm (6082 aluminum alloy)
Tail rotor diameter 284 mm (with 105 mm tail blades)
Tail blade length range 105 mm to 115 mm
Standard tail ratio 4.9:1 (with 26T tail pulley included)
Tail ratio range 5.0:1 to 4.8:1

Tail design features

  • Quick and easy tail fin replacement system.
  • Included tail belt tensioning tool that clips onto the boom for precise setup.
  • Integrated belt tensioner indicator showing correct operational tension.
  • High-efficiency large-diameter drive pulleys.

8. Power System

The airframe is designed to house high-torque 12S brushless propulsion systems capable of sustaining extreme collective transients.

Component Recommended specification
Battery configuration 12S LiPo (Two 6S packs in series)
Battery capacity 4,200 – 5,500 mAh
Motor class 4525 – 4530 series (500 – 560 KV, max diameter 62 mm, max height 70 mm)
Electronic Speed Controller 12S, 160A – 200A high-output ESC
Cyclic Servos Standard size 40mm digital high-voltage servos
Tail Servo Standard size 40mm high-speed tail servo
Power Train Cooling: The permanent open canopy architecture directs high-velocity ambient airflow directly over the ESC heat sinks and motor casing during forward flight.

9. Battery System & Hatch

Battery access is achieved through an innovative front-loading hatch system that slides locking trays directly into the core frame structure.

Nominal battery energy

Operating on a nominal 12S LiPo array (44.4 V):

12 × 3.7 V = 44.4 V nominal

A standard 5,000 mAh 12S pack delivers approximately:

44.4 V × 5 Ah = 222 Wh nominal energy

The kit includes two dedicated quick-release battery trays equipped with secure strap mounting points.

10. Structural Design

The RAW 700 frame architecture emphasizes ultra-low dry weight combined with high torsional rigidity for competition performance.

Principal structural features

  • Minimalist permanently-mounted structural canopy frame layout.
  • Precision CNC-machined aluminum motor mount and bearing blocks.
  • High-strength carbon fiber side frames and reinforcement plates.
  • Isolated electronics mounting decks to mitigate high-frequency harmonics.
  • Included tail belt tension verification tool.

12. Bearing and Shaft Reference

The assembly manual details a robust bearing complement across all rotating assemblies to maintain zero slop under heavy aerodynamic loads.

Location Specification
Main shaft blocks Dual-supported high-load radial and angular contact bearings
Blade grips Matched radial and high-capacity thrust bearings
Tail shaft assembly High-speed shielded radial bearings
Idler pulleys Flanged micro-bearings

13. Servo Installation

The airframe accommodates standard 40mm full-size servos across all four control channels. Servo geometry is aligned for direct-to-swash pushrod linkage without intermediate bellcranks.

  • Three standard 40mm digital cyclic servos.
  • One standard 40mm high-speed digital tail servo.
  • Direct linkage layout minimizing mechanical backlash.

14. Flybarless / Gyro Installation

The Goblin RAW 700 accepts all major commercial flybarless control units (e.g., V-Bar, Spirit, Brain/BD3SX, Rotorflight controllers). A dedicated flat gyro mounting platform is positioned on the upper rear frame deck, isolating the sensor package from primary powertrain vibrations.

15. Canopy and Aerodynamics

Unlike traditional helicopters with removable full fuselages, the RAW utilizes a structural front-access aerodynamic cowling combined with an exposed carbon tail boom and frame spine.

Design advantages

  • Substantially reduced side-profile aerodynamic drag during high-speed stall turns.
  • Unrestricted airflow directly cooling the motor windings and ESC cooling fins.
  • Instant battery access via the front sliding hatch without removing structural cowlings.

16. Landing Gear

The landing gear features wide-stance composite skids attached via high-impact nylon struts designed to absorb landing shock and protect the lower frame plate during autorotation touchdowns.

17. Headspeed and Operating Envelope

The recommended operational headspeed range for the Goblin RAW 700 spans from 1,800 RPM to 2,300 RPM depending on flying style and dampener configuration.

Flight Regime Target Headspeed Application
Normal / Big Air 1,800 – 1,950 RPM Extended flight times, smooth aerobatics
Standard 3D (IU1) 2,050 – 2,150 RPM General 3D maneuvers and precise response
Extreme 3D / Hard Smack (IU2) 2,200 – 2,350 RPM Maximum collective pop and tail authority

18. Main Gearing Calculations

Using the standard 10.1:1 reduction ratio (21T motor pulley):

Rotor RPM = Motor RPM ÷ 10.1
Motor RPM (12S ~44.4V) 21T / 10.1:1 Ratio Rotor RPM
18,000~1,782 RPM
19,000~1,881 RPM
20,000~1,980 RPM
21,000~2,079 RPM
22,000~2,178 RPM
23,000~2,277 RPM
24,000~2,376 RPM

19. Tail-Speed Calculations

With the standard 4.9:1 tail reduction ratio:

Tail RPM = Main Rotor RPM × 4.9
Main Rotor RPM Tail Rotor RPM (4.9:1)
1,8008,820 RPM
1,9009,310 RPM
2,0009,800 RPM
2,10010,290 RPM
2,20010,780 RPM
2,30011,270 RPM

20. Rotor Disc Area and Loading

Using the standard 1,558 mm main rotor diameter (with 690 mm blades):

Radius = 1.558 ÷ 2 = 0.779 m Rotor disc area = π × 0.779² ≈ 1.91 m² (20.56 ft²)

At the published dry airframe weight of 2,620 g (2.62 kg):

Dry disc loading = 2.62 kg ÷ 1.91 m² ≈ 1.37 kg/m²

With a fully loaded competition setup (approx. 5.1 kg ready-to-fly weight with 12S 5000mAh batteries and electronics):

RTF disc loading = 5.1 kg ÷ 1.91 m² ≈ 2.67 kg/m² (0.55 lb/ft²)

21. Battery Energy Calculations

Battery Pack Configuration Nominal Stored Energy
12S 4,200 mAh ~186.5 Wh
12S 4,500 mAh ~199.8 Wh
12S 5,000 mAh ~222.0 Wh
12S 5,500 mAh ~244.2 Wh

22. Real-World Build Configurations

Typical competition setups for the SAB Goblin RAW 700 feature premium electronics tailored for instantaneous power delivery and thermal headroom.

Category Common Competition Component Choice
Motor Scorpion HKIV-4525 520KV / XNova 4530 500KV
ESC Castle Creations Edge HV 160 / Hobbywing Platinum 200A HV V4
Cyclic Servos BK DS-7001HV / Torq BL 9180
Tail Servo BK DS-7005HV / Torq BL 9188
FBL Unit Spirit Pro / MicroBeast Plus / VBar Neo
Main Blades SAB Goblin 690mm / SAB Thunderbolt

23. Vibration Management & Tuning

The enclosed aluminum gearbox and stiff carbon frame maintain exceptionally clean mechanical transfer paths. When configuring high-performance FBL units, proper gain tuning and notch filtering eliminate structural resonance, ensuring crisp tail lock and precise cyclic tracking during high-G maneuvers.

24. Technical Assessment

The SAB Goblin RAW 700 represents a pinnacle in modern 700-class helicopter engineering. By marrying an ultra-lightweight dry airframe (2,620g) with an enclosed modular drivetrain, adjustable dampening geometry, and superior component cooling, SAB has created a competition platform that excels across both smooth precision aerobatics and aggressive 3D smack flying.