Radio Control: Helicopters
Larry Jolly 5501 W. Como Santa Ana, CA 92703
This month / Correction
This month I'm going to do some mini-previews on some new items just recently available to us. But first, I have to apologize to Pat Brady, who built the superb Jet Ranger pictured in my coverage (January 1989 issue) of the Merced Fly-In. Somehow I got some erroneous information and stated that Pat's Jet Ranger didn't realize its potential, but in fact it WON Scale at Merced and does fly very well.
Pat called me to tell me of the error and in turn gave me more details about his Jet Ranger. The model is a replica of Channel 3's News Copter and is based on a Kalt fuselage covering a set of King Cobra mechanics. The model features full rivet detail, opening doors, sliding windows, fuel and navigation lights. My prediction is that you will see more of this model, as Pat is getting ready for the 1989 Nationals in Washington State. He'll be tough competition.
On to the new products
The first item I'd like to talk about is GMP's new tool kit. I briefly described it last month and have since been using it like crazy, as I'm building both a Hirobo Vertol and a GMP Legend. I really like this set, and one tool in particular: the 1.5 mm Allen driver with the hardened tip. All makes of helicopters like to use those little 1.5 mm grub screws to hold the starter cone to the starting shaft. No matter how careful I am, I'm ultimately going to round out the screws or the key I use to tighten them, which of course makes removal later nearly impossible. The 1.5 mm driver is perfect for this task.
I sent a color photo of this set along with my column, but the editor tells me that almost everything in the tool kit (including the inside of the case) is too dark colored to show up well in a B&W photo in the magazine. Too bad, because this is really a quality item. Virtually everything you need to assemble or service the mechanics of your RC chopper is included, and it's all in an attractive leather case.
One of the photos shows Miniature Aircraft's Universal Pitch Gauge. This is a precision unit which is designed for use on the MAS X-Cell, but of course it will work on other makes of helicopters as well. Don't forget that Miniature Aircraft Supply is now marketing several useful accessories for the helicopter enthusiast.
Another photo is the cover of Ray's Complete Helicopter Manual. As the print on the cover says, it's your guide to successful helicopter flying. It covers theory, building, setup and flying. It's complete with 176 pages, over 400 photos and 96 illustrations.
This is the latest book in the RCM anthology series, and is a very well-laid-out manual authored by Ray Hostetler. Ray is very analytical and takes his building and flying very seriously. This will be a welcome addition to anyone's library.
An item from a nonrelated hobby that is very useful for us appears in another photo: a magnetic pincushion, available in most sewing shops. This little unit is the hot ticket for holding steel fasteners while you're building new copters.
As I said earlier, I'm building the Hirobo Vertol and assembling the model sequence that calls for those darn little E-clips that secure the pushrod connector. I wouldn't know about prying the little bugger into place—ZING—the little beauty jumped off under the dining room table and I couldn't find it. Then came a brainstorm: I removed other screws and slid the magnetic pincushion under the table. I passed it back and forth, front to back, and in no time heard a click and the missing clip was found. I wonder if I can get someone to include the pincushion in the tool kit.
I've finished the Legend except for installing the gyro and rotor blades. It should be flying this weekend. The kit went together very well—best yet. As soon as I finish up flying it and get photos I'll give a full report. A great sport machine.
The MFA Sport 500 is made in England and marketed by Hobby Lobby. Billed "perfect trainer," we'll soon find out whether it lives up to its potential. This relatively low-cost unit takes a sport .41 two-stroke (non-helicopter engine) and a standard four-channel radio. Although I think a gyro would help.
Radio Control: Helicopters
Radios and fuel
The Futaba 1024 Helicopter radio is right up at the top of the line for heli radios. I've just started flying this system and can tell you that it is definitely a step up from your trusty PCM-8. It's like going from manual to automatic in one step, as all the functions are controlled by an integral computer. This is definitely a super system; we'll devote more time to this radio in a future issue.
The last item in the photo is a gallon of Power Master 15% nitromethane helicopter fuel. Power Master is a relatively new company manufacturing high-quality model fuels. Their flyer claims that they use only superior ingredients and test each batch several times depending on your nitro needs. I'm about halfway through my first gallon of Power Master, and so far it looks very good. Needle valve settings and engine performance are very similar to K&B .50, my trusty standby. I'll let you know about my long-term findings, but initially Power Master appears to be a great chopper fuel.
Electric helicopters (preview)
The last photo is actually a lead into next month's column, which will be on electric-powered helicopters. This little beauty is a Master Mini EH in Jet Ranger garb. It is electric-powered and is billed as the world's smallest RC chopper. Dimensions are 18 in rotor span, 17-3/4 in fuselage length, and an all-up weight of 5.0 oz. The machine was built by Dave Herbert and will be flying next issue. As I said, I'll be publishing more information on electrics next month.
Closing
I hope you've seen something that interests you this month. If so, you can get more information by contacting the various companies directly. Please send me photos of your latest projects—I need the input!
BCNU
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
