RC Helicopters at the MAC Show
Larry Jolly
Overview
As I write this report on RC helicopters at the MAC Show, I think of all the great machines available to the hobbyist and how very far model helicopters have evolved in the last 13 years. There was a time—not that long ago—when it took a lot of tinkering to get a chopper into the air. With the high-quality, proven mechanics available today, the average modeler has a real chance of success.
The Model and Crafts Show is held each year in Long Beach, CA (this year it was held April 24–25). For the last several years we have enjoyed an excellent flight demonstration area and gorgeous spring weather. This year we got the weather, but our flying was severely cut back due to new construction at the convention center. If it were not for the helicopters, there would have been little or no air show. Because of the landing and takeoff capabilities of a helicopter, demonstrations could (and literally did) take place from a sidewalk surrounding the lagoon—try that with a fixed‑wing model!
People are fascinated with model helicopters, and they always seem to flock to the demonstrations. This year we had between 1,500 and 2,000 people who viewed the flying. Judging from the number of people crowding around the booths asking questions, a lot of new faces will soon be joining us at the flying field.
There were many new products shown this year—no fewer than ten companies displayed helicopters and/or helicopter accessories. The following is a summary of what I saw, in alphabetical order.
Exhibitors
Airtronics
Airtronics displayed a new five‑channel Unlimited Series radio for helicopters. It has a number of useful features. Watch for it this summer.
American RC Helicopters
American RC Helicopters showed their well‑known Mantis in both fixed‑pitch Hiller and collective‑pitch Bell‑Hiller configurations. John Simone displayed a new Hughes 500 fiberglass shell for the Mantis that should be available now. Curtis Crocker, Lowell Draper, and John Simone handled the flying demonstrations; in their hands the Mantis was a very good performer.
California Model Imports
California Model Imports showed the KKK line of scale and sport helicopters. Bob Hamilton flew both the Hughes 300 and the Stunt Homer in the outdoor demonstrations.
Circus Hobbies
Circus Hobbies of Las Vegas had Marty Barry and Ron Gilman showing the Kalt line of scale and aerobatic/sport helicopters. Kalt, while new in this country, is a well‑established Japanese firm that has been producing RC helicopters from the very beginning. (Mike Mas won the 1981 Nationals flying a Kalt Baron.) The Baron is available in several configurations, including the Baron 20, which is (as far as I know) the smallest machine featuring collective‑pitch and Bell‑Hiller rotor controls. The Baron 20 is said to be fully aerobatic on an O.S. Max .25 FSR—quite an engineering accomplishment.
The Kalt line features some of the finest machined parts I have seen on a model helicopter; the swash plate looked like something from a Nikon camera. While talking with Marty Barry, he handed me a parts price list, and I was amazed at the reasonable prices. Circus also showed the J.R. Unlimited and Apollo series helicopter radios. The J.R. Unlimited could be the ultimate helicopter radio system—few pilots can take advantage of all its functions. I flew the Baron 50; it exhibited excellent stability in hovering flight yet was smooth and capable of aggressive aerobatics.
Condor Hobbies
Condor Hobbies has taken over the well‑established Kavan line. They showed the popular Jet Ranger and Alouette II kits.
D.C. Labs
D.C. Labs—the fiberglass shell people—had several shells available to disguise your favorite aerobatic mechanics. For .60‑size machines they had a Bell 222 and a beautiful new Hughes 500. The five‑blade rotor head on their display model was superbly machined. D.C. Labs also makes a smaller Hughes 500 for .40‑size mechanics.
Futaba
Futaba had Glen Toma explaining their sophisticated J‑Series helicopter system and their new 5 GH‑Sport helicopter system featuring tail‑rotor mixing functions. Futaba also markets helicopter gyro systems.
Gorham Model Products (GMP)
Gorham Model Products had a lot of new items. The GMP Competitor is now ready in both the "Shorty 40" and "Professional 50–60" versions. GMP has several Cricket modifications including a custom gold rotor head, carrying bag, floats, seat, and a Hughes 300 conversion kit. The Hughes 300 conversion will also be available separately. GMP is getting into electronics with a miniature yaw‑rate gyro torque compensator. GMP imports the Hirobo scale helicopters and showed their latest large Bell 47G. Robert and John Gorham flew Crickets and Competitors in the flight demonstrations.
Miniature Aircraft Supply
Miniature Aircraft Supply showed the Schluter line of helicopters. Schluter has two new machines for 1982: the .40‑size Miniboy and the new scale Aerospatiale AS 355. Walt Schoonard also showed the well‑established Heli‑boy line. Miniature Aircraft Supply will be hosting Schluter Cup competitions around the country in 1982—write for details.
Hobby Shack
Hobby Shack showed the Hirobo Falcon line of sport helicopters. Richard Keppel handled the flying chores.
Observations
There once was a great difference in flight performance from one machine to another. Now model choppers have evolved to the point that they all fly well. In fact, helicopters are very much like radios: they are all good, though some have different—perhaps more desirable—features.
As I look at what manufacturers have to offer, the sobering fact is that the machine is not the limiting factor. Less than 30% of the helicopter pilots in this country can push even the simplest of machines to their design limits. Perhaps 1983 will be the year of the helicopter pilot.
For further information on products and product availability, write to the manufacturer of interest.
Contact Information
- Airtronics, 12160 Woodruff Ave., Downey, CA 90241
- American RC Helicopters, 635‑11 N. Twin Oaks Valley Rd., San Marcos, CA 92069
- California Model Imports, P.O. Box 1695, Garden Grove, CA 92642
- Circus Hobbies, 3132 S. Highland Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Condor Hobbies, 17835 Sky Park Cir., Suite F, Irvine, CA 92714
- D.C. Labs, 207 S.W. 41st St., Renton, WA 98055
- Futaba, 555 W. Victoria, Compton, CA 90220
- Gorham Model Products, 23961 Craftsman Rd., Calabasas, CA 91302
- Hobby Shack, 18480 Bandalier Cir., Fountain Valley, CA 92708
- Miniature Aircraft Supply, 2594 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32804
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
