Radio Control: Helicopters
TAKE a second look at this month's photos! That is the University of Virginia's medevac Boelkow BK-117-the only trouble is that the patients had better not be more than nine inches tall, because this is Ted Schoonard's one-eighth scale model. I have never seen a more perfectly-reproduced scale Helicopter. This achievement certainly places Ted at the apex of American scale chopper pilots. I've seen a lot of scale Helicopters, and all are pretty much the same: an eye-catching paint job on a glass fuselage. What is so unique in Ted's BK-117 is his incredible attention to detail. All of us could take a lesson from him. Note the perfect cockpit detailing and the four-bladed rotorhead. This model started out as a Schluter BK-117 glass fuselage. The mechanics are Schluter Champion, as is the four-bladed rotorhead. The power is handled by a Supertigre .75, and control is by a JR Century Seven Helicopter radio, utilizing five servos and a Futaba gyro.
Radio Control: Helicopters
WELCOME BACK! This month, we are going to continue our discussion on Scale Helicopters. Last month, if you recall, we discussed choosing your subject, obtaining documentation, and procuring the fiberglass fuselage. I am purposely not discussing the actual fabrication of a plug and making a mold, as I intend to cover that tedious job in a future column. I cannot impress enough the need for good documentation. When choosing your subject, you should pick a machine that is either based close by or one for which you can get many pictures. Remember that Scale Model Research and Repla-Tech International are at your disposal. I have both their catalogs and see that they offer many good subjects. If you are interested in Scale, you should write for their catalogs. I've listed their addresses at the end of the column.
Radio Control: Helicopters
OLD BUSINESS. Last month, I left you hanging with a primed Scale fuselage with woodwork, windows, and mechanics installed. This month, we're going to detail the model. I have included several photographs to use as examples. If you have studied your Scale documentation, you have noticed that full-size machines are not all that clean. That is, there are a myriad of protuberances in the breeze. Most Scale model Helicopters are simply too sanitary, and this is what makes them look like models. So, how do you put all that stuff on the model? The way I would tackle it is with plenty of prior planning. Study the documentation, and note all the exterior details. Does the full-size machine use rivets? If so, are they round-head or flush? Note all the antennas and lights.
Radio Control: Helicopters
BARON STAR 55. A new chopper? Well, sort of. It's a creation of Dan Melnik's, and it's so fascinating that I'm going to devote the whole column to it. The Baron Star 55 is actually a conversion based on the Kalt Baron 50 Helicopter-but it's different from most commercial kits available in that it is designed for all-out aerobatics, something not really seen since the Schluter Heli-Boy in the Seventies. Before I let Dan tell you his story, I must thank him for taking the time to bring the Baron Star 55 to our attention. It may just be the sport or air show Helicopter you had in mind while still retaining hovering abilities good enough for contest work.
Radio Control: Helicopters
RECENTLY I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Jeff Urcan, president of Yale Hobby Manufacturing, Inc. Jeff is in the business of producing Radio Control Helicopter after-market parts and accessories. I was not aware of all the items that Yale markets, so I asked Jeff to send some information and pictures, if possible. Jeff responded with the photos and information-as well as some examples of his fine products. His generosity has made it very easy to test his products, and what can I say? I'm impressed. Let's look at some of Yale Hobby Manufacturing's products:
