Radio Control: Helicopters
WELCOME BACK! This month we're going to take a look at Electric RC Helicopters-where they've been, and where they are going. I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure that the first use of electric power for Helicopter use was by Mr. Arthur Young, designer of the famed Bell Helicopter rotor system. Back in the early Thirties, Young made use of a remote power supply to power a remotely controlled helicopter via the now-familiar extension cord. This proved valuable for his work, as the electric motor was very consistent, thereby achieving easily reproducible results.
Radio Control: Helicopters
THIS IS A DIFFICULT COLUMN for me to write, but as they say, all things must pass, and so it is that the time has come to pass this column to another dedicated scribe. Next month Paul Tradelius will be the new Helicopter columnist for Model Aviation. I hope all of you appreciate the commitment Paul has made to ensure that Model Aviation has the finest up-to-date helicopter column available to the RC helicopter enthusiast. Many of you are pondering and perhaps asking why the change. The truth of the matter is that when I accepted the responsi bilities of this column in 1983, I had no idea I would be writing it 10 years later. During the last 10 years, my life has changed drastically, and I am sure yours has as well.
Radio Control: Helicopters
REPORT on Toledo: I'm sorry to say that work kept me too busy to travel to Toledo for the annual trade show. However, my friends Jerry Hicks and Dan Melnick did attend, so we will get a mini-report as seen through their eyes. There is always something new at Toledo, and this year was no different. It seems that everyone works really hard after Christmas to get their prototypes ready for customer inspection in April. Miniature Aircraft's big news was the new X-Cell 30. This fine small aerobat was both on display and flown daily. Initial response is that this is an excellent small machine with good flight performance. Basically a scaled-down X-Cell 60, the X-Cell 30 weighs 6.5 pounds and features a 48-in.-diameter main rotor disc.
Radio Control: Helicopters
THIS MONTH I'm going to do some minipreviews on some new items just recently available to us. But first, I have to apologize to Pat Brady who built the superb Jet Ranger pictured in my coverage (January 1989 issue) of the Merced Fly-In. Somehow I got some erroneous information and stated that Pat's Jet Ranger didn't realize its potential, but in fact it WON Scale at Merced and does fly very well. Pat called me to tell me of the error and in turn gave me more details about his Jet Ranger. The model is a replica of Channel 3's News Copter, and is based on a Kalt fuselage covering a set of King Cobra mechanics. The model features full rivet detail, opening doors, sliding windows, and fuel and navigation lights. My prediction is that you will see more of this model, as Pat is getting ready for the 1989 Nationals in Washington State. He'll be tough.
Radio Control: Helicopters
JUST BEFORE the Toledo Show John Gorham called and wanted to know if I'd like to visit him at Calabassas and check our the new GMP machine, the Legend. I knew John had been working on a new Helicopter design with emphasis on aggressive aerobatics, but I didn't think he would be ready for a Toledo debut in April. We agreed to meet on Saturday morning. I met John and his son, Robert, at the familiar GMP testing ground, where Robert already had the new machine airborne. Even though Robert is truly an outstanding pilot, I immediately noticed how nicely the Legend was skating across the sky. I saw consecutive loops, rolls, great Belgiums, and groovy straight flight between the maneuvers.
