Radio Control: Helicopters
Larry Jolly
If you're thumbing through the pages looking for Dave Chesney's column, I'm afraid you'll have to settle for these words instead. Dave has decided that it is time to relinquish the reins to another scribe. I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision for Dave, and I hope that I can continue the column to the same standard of interest that he achieved. I think I speak for all of us, Dave; as a faithful reader, thank you for a job well done.
About the author
My name is Larry Jolly; I am 29 years old, and I am a native Californian. I was born into a modeling family and, as a result, have been active in the hobby from quite an early age. I have been flying model helicopters for almost six years. I do not own one of each type of RC helicopter, but I endeavor to stay current by flying as many different types of machines as possible. I believe that by flying many different models I can achieve enough experience to intelligently discuss the pros and cons of any machine being evaluated here.
During the course of writing these articles, I will undoubtedly be called upon to discuss or review various helicopters. I want to make something very clear now, so that there are no mistakes or hurt feelings later. If asked to review a product, I will do so honestly, and I will state only my opinions or views, which will be influenced only by my experience with the machine in question. I have never—nor do I intend to—make a single penny from selling model helicopters.
I intend to write a monthly column that will be of interest to the majority of my audience. I will not make this a contest report, because my experience has been that the average chopper pilot is far more interested in getting his machine to handle a little better than he is in reading about the latest Hot Shots contest success. I will occasionally print some information on full-size rotorcraft, as I believe that many of you are also interested in these machines.
Photographs
A few notes about this month's pictures:
- The first was taken a few years ago in nearby Costa Mesa, CA. That's me trying to figure out the control system of this one-man, contra-rotating helicopter. Apparently, this machine and four others like it were built in 1952 as possible rescue vehicles for pilots downed behind enemy lines. It is of aluminum monocoque construction, with hardwood rotor blades, and is powered by a 50 hp two-cycle engine. My impression of this curious little machine is that it is really a blown-up Du-Bro 505 Whirley Bird. If any reader has any information regarding this helicopter, I'd certainly be interested in hearing from you.
- The second photo is from our family album. That's me firing up my long-distance Heliboy, which is looking real hard at 30 miles of open water between where it is sitting (Catalina Island) and where it will ultimately land at the Long Beach Convention Center. Model Aviation carried the story in the August 1980 issue, for those who might want the particulars.
- The third picture is of the master, Ernie Huber, hovering his Kavan Jet Ranger inverted for the audiences of a past MACS show. I love to watch someone with Ernie's talent fly. It gives the rest of us something to shoot for.
Reader participation
You know we can have a lot of fun with these articles if you participate. Unlike other editors who may have ended their columns saying, "Please send information so I can have something to present each month," I'll put it a slightly different way. I'd like you to send pictures or information so that we might have something for the column, but if you don't you'll have to listen to me each month, because I will have a column where this blank space used to be.
So until next time, keep landing with the rotor blades up!
Contact
Larry Jolly 5501 W. Como Santa Ana, CA 92703
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
