RADIO CONTROL HELICOPTERS
Paul Tradelius, 6704 Santiago, Ft. Worth, TX 76133
Although this is officially the January issue, it should be getting to you by late November — still in plenty of time to make additions to your Christmas wish list. To whet your appetite, here are some of the more interesting products I have used over the past few months.
Futaba Corporation of America
Futaba Corporation of America, 4 Studebaker, Irvine, CA 92718
- FP-R148DF dual-conversion eight-channel microreceiver: full-sized performance in a very small package; suitable for helicopters, airplanes, cars, or boats.
- FP-S102 microservo: metal gear train, operates on 4.8- or 6.0-volt flight packs, less than 0.2 seconds for 60° rotation, torque rated at 1.9 kg/cm. A good combination for small electric or gas-powered helicopters (I used them in my EP Concept helicopter).
Hitec RCD Inc.
Hitec RCD Inc., 10729 Wheatlands Ave., Suite C, Santee, CA 92071
- Focus 4 EH FM radio: entry-level radio for electric helicopter enthusiasts; includes a small dual-conversion receiver, an SP-1803H speed controller with arming switch, and three HS-80 submicroservos (fast and powerful for electrics). Note: you will need a fourth servo for collective pitch.
- RCD3000 Supreme Series receiver: improved version of the Bullet-Proof receivers. Weighs 1.3 oz., full dual-conversion eight-channel FM capable, smaller than previous seven-channel versions, with increased sensitivity, longer range, and better vibration protection.
Hobby Club
Hobby Club, 23141 Arroyo Vista, Suite 210, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
- Helicopter Flight Converter: eliminates onboard batteries in electric helicopters. Power is supplied through a ground-based cord from any 12-volt source, with a switch for either 8.4 or 9.6 volts. Comes assembled and adjusted, with Kalt and Kyosho style connectors and a 10-foot lightweight silicone-insulated output wire. Ideal if you prefer not to charge batteries frequently.
Yellow Aircraft
Yellow Aircraft, 203 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, MA 02173
- Rotormax composite fiberglass rotor blades for 30- or 60-size helicopters: ready to bolt on and fly, reinforced with carbon-fiber, leading-edge weighted and balanced, full symmetrical airfoil with swept tips to reduce tip drag. Especially good for autorotations and provide noticeably more lift at touchdown compared to stock wooden blades.
LDM Industries Inc.
LDM Industries Inc., P.O. Box 292396, Tampa, FL 33687-2396
- Strongbox: protects receiver and battery pack in helicopters, 40-size (or larger) model airplanes, or moderate-size boats. Receiver and battery are sandwiched in foam rubber and enclosed in a durable composite box; mounts in the helicopter for vibration and crash protection.
- Ball-bearing update unit for standard servos: replaces the top portion of Futaba, Cirrus, Airtronics, and JR standard servos with a ball-bearing version to improve smoothness, handle higher loads, and extend life.
Model Aviation Technology (MAT)
Model Aviation Technology, 12848 Touchstone Place, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
- 6-volt 1200-milliamp-hour (1200 mAh) gel-cell airborne battery: plenty of power for five to six servos plus a gyro; higher voltage improves servo response.
- Gel-cell charger: works from household AC or a 12-volt source (car cigarette lighter). "Set-and-forget" operation — fast-charges then automatically reverts to slow charge to prevent overcharging.
- Digital ESV: displays condition of 4.8- or 6-volt airborne batteries or a 9.6-volt transmitter battery, checked under load.
- Super Servo (imported from Germany): water- and dirt-proof, all-steel gears, ball-bearing supported, advertised as virtually indestructible. Rated at 55 ounces torque and 0.24 seconds for 60° rotation — excellent for additional flight packs.
Double M Electronics
Double M Electronics, P.O. Box 159, Glen Dale, MD 20769-0159
- Fatcat Fast Charger/Cycler: Ni-Cad battery maintenance unit that cycles batteries, automatically fast-charges them to about 95% of full charge, then reverts to trickle charge. A convenient "set-it-and-forget-it" system to ensure batteries are safe and ready.
Horizon Hobby Distributors
Horizon Hobby Distributors, 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61821
- Ball Link Pliers by Revolution: basic design but effective for removing ball links.
- Revolution Blade Balancer: features a glass blade vise and can be used on all rotor blade sizes.
- Other products to consider (may be nice under the Christmas tree):
- JR X-3885 helicopter radio
- Kolt Enforcer 7.2 — 30-size helicopter
- Webra 32 Red-Head engine
- Kalt S-30 all-metal head for the ZR
- KSS 818 Swing Rotorhead for 60-size helicopters
- JR Piezo Electric Gyro
In closing, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy flying helicopters when the weather gets warmer.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
