Radio Control: Helicopters
Larry Jolly
Event summary
The first annual West Coast Radio Control Helicopter Fly-In was held October 22–23 in Merced, CA. This was one of the best chopper get-togethers I've ever attended. On Saturday, an open fun-fly was scheduled, and on Sunday the manufacturers and their representatives demonstrated their individual machines.
Chuck Winter acted as CD (contest director) and had members of the Merced County Radio Control Club on hand to keep everything running smoothly. There have been no large helicopter contests in California for several years; the WCRCHFI could be the start of a great annual regional contest and, of course, a fun-fly.
I was surprised to find that on Saturday there were over 60 registered fliers with nearly 100 machines on the field. Spectators were everywhere. What impressed me most was the ability of a potential RC chopper pilot to view the machines in action and then go over to the individual manufacturers' tables to discuss the models firsthand. I'm quite sure many new folks will visit Chuck and his crew as a result of this festive occasion.
Notable demonstrations
One of the most exciting exhibitions at the WCRCHFI was European helicopter champion Ewald Heim in action. I have read about Mr. Heim for years in European publications and noted his success at the Euro-cups (mini-World Champs). Ewald has won four consecutive Euro-cups with his own-design machine, the Star-Ranger. This was his first visit to the United States, and I am glad I got to see him fly!
Ewald Heim can do things with his Star-Ranger that I would not have thought possible: vertical rolling dives with perfectly radiused pullouts to level flight. He is a true master, and I hope to see him fly again sometime.
Manufacturers and models
Several manufacturers had new or noteworthy items to show. Highlights follow.
American RC Helicopters
Jack Simone, plus George and Curtis Crocker, demonstrated American's Super Mantis. From discussions with American RC, I understand you'll soon be able to set your Mantis up with a flexible-shaft tail rotor drive instead of the standard drive belt. I'm not sure why they made the change, as the Mantis seems to operate well with the belt drive. Also coming soon are Blue Thunder fuselages, like the ships John Simone flew in the movie. Contact American RC for details.
California Model Imports
Dave and Sandra Robertson showed their Kobe Kiko line. Dave flew the Hughes 300 gas and glow machines as well as his new Robinson R-22. The R-22 is a one-fifth-scale model of the popular light helicopter and features a scale flybarless rotor head of very interesting configuration. I hope to spotlight the R-22 in a future column.
Gorham Model Products
John and Robert (U.S. National Champ) Gorham, Ewald Heim, Bob Hamilton, and Bill Curtis flew the GMP fleet. Joining John's extensive line is the Heim Star-Ranger—watch for an in-depth report next month. The GMP competitors were in the air constantly, right-side-up or inverted, performing full Expert maneuvers.
Robert Gorham's and Bob Hamilton's autorotations to the helipad were the best I have ever seen. In an impromptu autorotation contest toward the end of the fly-in, Robert and Bob each put three consecutive autorotation landings on a three-foot-diameter helipad—in a word, incredible!
Also shown but not flown was the new GMP Cobra. This ball of fire is a scaled-down Competitor for engine sizes .40–.50. All-up weight is 6½ lb. I haven't flown the Cobra yet, but I'm anxious to try this cute little skyrocket. When I asked Bob Hamilton how the Cobra handled, he smiled and said, "You'll like it." Expect the Cobra on dealers' shelves just after the first of the year.
Miniature Aircraft Supply
Walt Schoonard and Ernie Huber were on hand to demonstrate the Schluter line, especially the newest release, the Superior. I had a chance to fly one at Merced and was very impressed. I think the Superior will prove to be a very positive factor in the RC helicopter scene.
Walt also showed and demonstrated the Super Boy, a Heliboy fitted with a Superior head and tail rotor. The combination looks very good and should be a popular retrofit for many Heliboys around the country. For further information, contact Miniature Aircraft Supply.
Questions from the audience
Keep those questions and photos coming! If your particular question has general interest, I will publish it in the column. If you'd like a picture of your model in the column, please send glossy black-and-white photos, as they usually reproduce better than color prints. Do not send slides.
Until next month, remember: if you're flying with a 500 mAh flight pack, keep it down to six flights per charge, and never run the gyro off the same pack as the radio! BCNU.
Larry Jolly 5501 W. Como Santa Ana, CA 92703
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
