Radio Control: Helicopters
Larry Jolly
15781 Empire Ln. Westminster, CA 92683
WELCOME BACK. I'm glad you tuned in this month, especially if you fly GMP machines. I have some important news for you.
After months of rumors and denials, Gorham Model Products (GMP) finally succumbed to the hard times of 1990. I'm not sure about the specifics, just that GMP is no longer doing business. We fliers who have relied on this fine company will have to find alternate part sources for our machines.
Luckily, Tech Specialties has quite a large volume of replacement parts for all GMP types. Bill Curtiss tells me that he will continue to manufacture the parts as long as there's a demand for them. He is also toying with the idea of producing kits for the Legend and the Rebel. I hope Bill comes through and produces these two fine machines.
If you feel the same way, why not give Bill or Ralph a call at 412/588-1335? Even if you don't fly a GMP machine, give them a call and ask for their catalog and parts list. The firm makes several useful aftermarket and replacement parts as well as many different styles of rotor blades.
Atlanta Helicopter Club — Sixth Annual Southern Classic
Rick Brown reports on his club's annual fun-fly:
"Over 30 pilots from the Southeast joined with the Atlanta Helicopter Club, bringing over 50 machines to take part in a weekend of fun-flying and low-pressure competition. As you can see, our beautiful flying site and prime weather provided the basics for a great fly-in. The Atlanta Club is trying very hard to build the Southern Classic into a major national event. This will take time. We feel that the Southern Classic can be the Merced of the South. I'll keep you informed as details for next year's event are planned."
The Atlanta fun fly featured these events:
- Ring Pickup
- Pad Hop
- Hot Dog Event
- Pylon Racing
- AMA Scale Contest
- Converging Balsa Sticks
- A surprise event (announced at the fun fly)
I'll be sure to announce the dates of next year's contest in time for you to attend.
Mini-Tangerine Report
Dan Melnick, a.k.a. the Southern Flash, called to give me the results of the Tangerine. Contest Director Chuck Whacker did a super job of managing this two-day meet. Held the weekend between Christmas and New Year's in Bithlo, Florida, near Orlando (the Torch's home field), the contest usually boasts temperatures in the seventies and eighties. Several northern types consider this excuse enough to make the trip. Among those who came down to thaw out this year were Carey Woolard from Hobby Dynamics and Tim Lampe from Great Planes.
There were 20 entrants in FAI, 13 in Intermediate, 20 in Novice, and 3 in Scale — not a bad showing, bigger in fact than at some past Nats. In a flyoff, Nats champion Cliff Hiatt edged out Curtis Youngblood for first place in FAI. To my knowledge, this is the first time a flyoff has been necessary in the FAI event.
Robert Gorham finished a close third with his TSK Black Star in a Miniature Aircraft Long Ranger shell. Wayne Mann took fourth place flying the Concept Hughes 300 with different gearing and head speeds from those used in the FAI events.
Helicopter Pylon Racing is a new event that's created a lot of interest. If it catches on, we'll see a new type of machine emerge, with different gearing and head speeds from those used in the FAI events.
On Saturday night the Kalt guys had five Whispers flying in formation. Apparently I missed a good time. Maybe next year.
New Products
Carey Woolard at Hobby Dynamics tells me that Kalt has some new accessories for the Whisper. The long-awaited autorotation clutch is now in stock and available from your favorite Kalt dealer. Kalt will soon be shipping the little Cobra fuselage, available in both fiberglass and plastic versions. The company is also rumored to be working on a Bell 222 complete with mini-retracts.
Rumor has it there will soon be a new Kalt machine. We'll have to wait for Toledo to get the details. Kalt recently signed on two new fliers, Tom Dooley and Nats champ Cliff Hiatt. This is a great move and is typical of the aggressive commitment Hobby Dynamics shows to Kalt. I'll keep you informed as I find out more details on the new products.
I also saw Tim Lampe of Great Planes recently and talked to him about new items in the growing Concept line. Biggest news is that the Concept 60 will be available in the spring. This is a very sporty airplane with all the makings of a full-blown FAI-style machine. Reportedly it may be a little pricey, but a full-feature ship is never cheap. Great Planes will soon begin delivery of Kevlar main blades for both the 30- and 60-size Concepts. I checked the blades out and they appeared to be of very high quality. I'll get the Concept 60 as soon as possible and let you know the results.
That's all for this month. Please pass along any information or reports from the field for your favorite Heli club. A picture and a note about your favorite machine would be nice, too.
BCNU
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
