RC Helicopters at the MAC Show
Larry Jolly
Top-of-the-line machines in the RC helicopter exhibit booths caught my eye this year, but there were many excellent beginner, sport, and scale types as well.
This is a good year for those involved in RC model helicopters. I am very excited and optimistic about the new machines I saw. The Model Craft (MAC) Show will be the best we have ever had available. There were no major breakthroughs in the past year; however, major manufacturers have been busy refining top-of-the-line machines to a current world-class level.
Most manufacturers have adopted a robust rotor-head Bell-Hiller configuration with adjustable dampening. Collective pitch is standard. New "super ships" designed around 60-size engines feature extensive use of ball-bearing-supported mechanisms throughout. The refinements mean the machines will last longer; bushed bearings tend to wear and become sloppy. Performance jumps by magnitudes — a 10-click transmitter trim really does something. New machines run like fine Swiss watches. The super ships are aerobatic and fly smoothly. Watch a flight demonstration and you will view performance like well-rehearsed ballet dancers — smooth and graceful.
Beginner, sport, and scale machines now have a top-of-the-line, Mercedes-class quality and have benefited from much thought and refinement. The MAC Show was unique inasmuch as helicopters were flown outside for demonstrations. This year the city fathers in Long Beach tried to think up new obstacles for us to avoid — a new hotel. Because helicopters have limited space requirements, this type of flying has proven an ideal way to present radio-control modeling to viewing crowds.
Exhibitors (alphabetical)
American RC Helicopters
- Showing the Predator 60-size sport machine, which seems to be a cross between the Commander and a Bell Cobra. The machine features a Bell-Hiller head, collective pitch, optional shaft tail-rotor drive, and autorotation.
- Also shown: the Mantis 40-size helicopter.
- The Predator was ably flight-demonstrated.
California Model Imports (CMI)
- Markets the Japanese line of helicopters manufactured by Kobe Kiko.
- Both versions of the popular Hughes 300 were on display — one with a spark-ignition gas engine and one with a glow engine. Both machines are similarly constructed and feature, now standard, Bell-Hiller steering and collective pitch.
- A promising prototype picture was shown of a future-scale Robinson R-22.
- Dave Robertson and I handled the flying demonstrations for CMI.
Circus Hobbies
- Imports the Kalt line of helicopters from Japan.
- On display: the very successful Baron 20, a new lightweight fiberglass Bell 222 fuselage for the Baron 50 series, and Kalt’s new super ship, the Baron 60.
- The Baron 60 is uniquely shipped without a rotor head; several head designs are available so the purchaser can choose the one to suit particular needs.
Condor Hobbies
- Had machines manufactured by Ishimasa of Japan.
- The Playboy is a .25-size sport helicopter featuring Bell-Hiller steering and collective pitch. The head uses a unique fiberglass seesaw that allows independent blade flapping. The Playboy proved very stable in flight yet capable of aerobatics.
- Also on display: the EH-1 Skylark electric helicopter. Flights of over two minutes are possible with self-contained batteries, as well as unlimited-time tether-cord flying. The EH-1 is ideal for club meetings and mall shows where you want to show an RC helicopter in flight indoors without the noise or exhaust fumes.
Gorham Model Products (GMP)
- GMP offers many helicopters and accessories. The Competitor is a good flier, judging from contest reports. It is a new-generation super ship for .60 engines capable of any flight maneuver, as demonstrated by smooth pilot Robert Gorham. The Competitor’s rotor head is excellent.
- Also on display and flown: the new Hirobo Corvette, which appears to be a semi-scale Lockheed 286 designed for FAI competition tasks and has apparently won major contests in Japan.
- GMP’s popular little Cricket was also flown — three years old and still going strong.
- For helicopters, books, or information, contact Gorham Model Products.
Miniature Aircraft Supply
- Distributes the Schluter line of RC helicopters. Walt Schoonard had the Mini-Boy, Hughes 500 fuselage, and Heli-Boy on display.
- The Heli-Boy revolutionized RC helicopters several years ago by ushering in the Bell-Hiller head and high blade speed, enabling previously unimaginable aerobatics. Many people still judge other machines by the standard of the Heli-Boy.
- The talk of the show in the Schluter booth was Dieter Schluter’s new machine, the Superior. Not just an evolution of the Heli-Boy, the Superior is an entirely new, highly refined machine featuring superb German engineering. Too new to show its full potential at the show, the Superior will be available in late spring and has already placed in several competitions in Europe.
- The Superior is designed for a .60 engine and includes Bell-Hiller steering, collective pitch, adjustable dampening, double-sided gear, and full-envelope flight performance. It uses an unusually large number of ball bearings — this could be Dieter’s masterpiece.
- Tony Frackowiak flew the Schluter line in outdoor demonstrations.
Static Competition
As is common at most trade shows, there was also a static competition for RC helicopters. This year's winner was Richard Perre, who entered an exquisite Hirobo Lama SA-315 finished in civilian markings.
I hope you will try one of the new machines — they are just too good to pass up. See you next year at the 1984 MAC Show.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
