Radio Control: Helicopters
Larry Jolly
World Champions
I know that 99% of U.S. RC helicopter pilots (and that ratio probably holds true worldwide) don't compete in contests. However, there is an RC Helicopter World Championships every two years, and the U.S. does send a team.
This year the World Champs were held in Bern, Switzerland, June 29 through July 4, at the Bern-Belp Airport — a picturesque place to fly. There were teams from 16 nations and a total of 37 competitors. Contest organization was excellent and the weather good, except for the afternoon of the second day.
Things started out in an exciting manner for the U.S. team when the airline lost Robert Gorham's model boxes. Apparently Robert's models arrived in Zurich and were quickly located. John Gorham flew to Zurich, retrieved Robert's machines, and spent the rest of the day driving back to Bern. Meanwhile, Robert waited by the telephone until the day before the contest when he and his machines were finally reunited. Nothing was damaged, and after test flying the U.S. team was ready for action.
After four rounds of competition, ending on July 4, 19-year-old Curtis Youngblood became World Champion. The U.S. team finished strong in second place. Final placings and equipment for the top U.S. pilots:
- Curtis Youngblood — 1st place (World Champion)
- Aircraft: GMP Competitor Jet Ranger
- Engine: OS .61 Long Stroke
- Rotor: GMP Pro-Head
- Notable: Barn-burning last flight of 1,654 points clinched the title.
- Robert Gorham — 6th place
- Aircraft: Cobra/Jet Ranger combination
- Engine: OS
- Rotor head: DDF
- Blades: Sitar
- Mike Mas — 9th place
- Aircraft: Schlüter Champion
- Engine: Enya
The top finishers reportedly flew the hovering-maneuver option. Both Curtis and Robert flew the compulsory maneuvers: Nose-In, Circle, Shovel, 4-Point Pirouette, Observation, followed by autorotation. Scoring was tight — the top five could have been the winner. The Japanese team took team honors.
As for new equipment at the contest, there wasn't anything radical. New designs were abundant and, after the contest, there was a formation flight of a number of ships. However, most pilots chose proven equipment and spent considerable effort fine-tuning. The use of scale fuselages is now nearly universal in F3C — only about three contestants flew pod-and-boom designs. Jet Rangers predominated.
New products
- Futaba is now importing the YS line of engines. The YS 61 is generally accepted as the most powerful engine available for RC helicopters and was chosen by Mr. Taya of Japan for his World Champion machine. While YS engines have been available in the U.S. before, supply was limited; Futaba appears to have solved the supply problem, and they should be available at dealers now.
X-Cell update
I recently saw a videotape of Miniature Aircraft Supply's new X-Cell 60, as flown by Ted Schoonover. From the pictures and ads you might have gathered that the X-Cell is a combination of many good ideas. The video confirmed my expectations. As set up and flown by Ted Schoonover at Toledo, the X-Cell may be the most aerobatic helicopter yet designed. With its rigid frame and high rotor speed, the X-Cell will be a big-time performer. Reports indicate that Walt Schoonover has production running and the X-Cell should be available soon.
Personal projects
I've been working like crazy on my GMP Limited Edition Stork, although I took some time out to build a Hirobo Shuttle/Hughes 500. The Hughes 500 is one and flying, and while the Stork doesn't go together quite as fast as the Shuttle, it does assemble rapidly and should be ready to fly very soon.
Next time I'll have some photos and remarks on Hirobo's little 500. By the way, if you read this far, how about sending some pictures and notes on your latest project or fun-fly? It would be great to share your ideas with other fliers.
Larry Jolly 5501 W. Como Santa Ana, CA 92703
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
