Radio Control: Helicopters
Larry Jolly
Just before the Toledo Show, John Gorham was kind enough to send me information on his latest projects, so I thought I'd pass some of that along now.
Probably the most significant of these is the announcement of the availability of the Limited Edition Stork from GMP. Those of you who have been reading Radio Control Helicopters Magazine have already become acquainted with Hirobo's latest creation. The basic Stork uses tried-and-proven Hirobo mechanics manufactured from space-age composite materials. I have one of Hirobo's Storks under construction and will report on it and its American cousin in a future issue.
Key features of the Hirobo Stork
- Composite DDF rotor head: excellent engineering and high-quality construction. It features standard DDF qualities, including individual dampening. The head is largely plastic with ball bearings used throughout and could become a separately available option.
- Toothed-belt tail drive: no slippage, so any change in engine/main rotor rpm is instantly transferred to the tail rotor, keeping a constant ratio between speeds. Major drawback: the tail boom length is predetermined by the belt length, complicating installation in existing fuselages.
- Engine/fan/clutch/muffler module: an efficient, compact mechanical design built around a special version of the OS Max .46V-FH engine (reputedly developed for this machine). Because the engine is integral to the module and included in Japanese kits, fitting other engines to the stock Hirobo Stork is unlikely.
One could say that the Hirobo Stork is a bigger version of the Shuttle, but I find that a little too simplistic. I'm looking forward to trying it in its unaltered Stork form, and I'll let you know what I find.
GMP Limited Edition Stork
The GMP Limited Edition Stork is another example of John Gorham's ability to review a product and improve it with a few subtle changes. Being the U.S. importer for Hirobo, John was given the opportunity to bring in the Hirobo version. The biggest stumbling block was that someone else in the U.S. is the importer of OS engines. Not knowing the whole story, I surmise an equitable situation could not be worked out among the parties involved, so the Stork could not be imported in its stock configuration.
As is the norm with any modeler, once he got going he made all of the improvements that would satisfy him. He designed new side frames to accept other makes of engines and a new, stylish canopy (which I agree is light-years more athletic than Hirobo's original). The GMP Stork now sports skid-mounted wheels and uses the proven Competitor drive train. I think John has a very interesting machine on his hands, and I'm looking forward to building the Limited Edition Stork and comparing it to the basic Hirobo version.
GMP videotape
Among the items sent to me before the Toledo show by John Gorham was GMP's videotape showing various GMP products in flight. Robert Gorham gives an incredible display of smooth flying. The tape would be great for club meetings and other get-togethers. If you haven't seen it, query GMP for its availability.
Mini-Toledo report
I hate to report on trade shows because I somehow always manage to leave someone out—which disturbs them, and in turn, this gets back to me! So, this time I'll merely report that most U.S. helicopter companies are apparently doing well, and there is still apparent growth in RC helicopter activity in the U.S.
Notable changes:
- Robbe is now the American agent for Schuco. Dave Darr is doing quite well here, and I would expect Schuco to continue a strong showing.
- Walt Schoonard and family (owners of Florida's Miniature Aircraft Supply) remain the U.S. agents for Hirobo, but they've also started to market their own helicopter, the X-Cell. It is a .60-powered, 8½-lb., composite-materials machine utilizing the best ideas from several other models. The X-Cell is available as a kit or ready-to-fly and should be popular with many club flyers.
That's all for this month. Tune in soon when we look back over 10 years of RC helicopter activity.
BCNU, Larry Jolly 5501 W. Coma, Santa Ana, CA 92703
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
