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Help with cutting a fibreglass fuselage - Vario Chinook
Hi all. I am new to ScaleHeliPilot. I have recently bought the Vario Chinook 1:11 and I'm done with the mechanics. Fuselage up next. I have never cut fiberglass before so I am petrified :)
Other than some old RC scale cars (eg Tamiya) I have done in the past, this is my first journey into the world of Scale.
I noted that Michael Kranitz suggested a step bit for the 30mm landing gear holes...
Hi all. I am new to ScaleHeliPilot. I have recently bought the Vario Chinook 1:11 and I'm done with the mechanics. Fuselage up next. I have never cut fiberglass before so I am petrified :)
Other than some old RC scale cars (eg Tamiya) I have done in the past, this is my first journey into the world of Scale.
I noted that Michael Kranitz suggested a step bit for the 30mm landing gear holes. I am curious though about the larger circular cutouts for the rotors. The instructions suggest 75mm and 90mm diameters for those. What is the best way to go about it? A dremel would work but it is difficult cut perfect circles with a rotary. I could look at a hole saw, but I'm worried that it might rip the fiberglass.
Curious to hear what other people did.
My second question is about sliding the mechanics in and out of the fuse. I saw Michael warned that one needs to be ready to do this a lot. It seems quite an involved process. Removal of the front rotor (and re-application of loctite after reinsertion?) And I guess the landing gear must also be unscrewed from the mechanics every single time? Is accessing the front landing gear not a pain? Because I assume the landing gear struts must remain in the fuse after the mechanics slide out.
I'll probably have many more questions as this proceeds. Looking forward to some great discussions here.
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Vario 1:11 Chinook Build Gallery
Vario Chinook
I needed to find a better way to place this 28 pound model on and off the ground when there was no one around to help. Squatting down and bending over at the same time created back pain for the whole week…something I did not care for. So with this incentive, I created this. Now…no more back pain.
New use for a Christmas ornament!
I have faced my fear of fiberglass! For my Vario Chinook, this bit does a good job with circle cutouts (windows).
I’m really struggling with what I should do over the holiday. 🤔
Vario Chinook1:11 Instruction Manual
The Chinook from VARIO is a 700 size scale helicopter. You can power this remote-controlled model helicopter with electric propulsion. Boeing-Vertol is the creator of the man-carrying version and produces this helicopter. Building a tandem has its own charm and its own set of challenges. This kit and the specially developed equipment has been extensively tested before its launch. It is necessary...
The Chinook from VARIO is a 700 size scale helicopter. You can power this remote-controlled model helicopter with electric propulsion. Boeing-Vertol is the creator of the man-carrying version and produces this helicopter. Building a tandem has its own charm and its own set of challenges. This kit and the specially developed equipment has been extensively tested before its launch. It is necessary for a tandem rotor to have a strong rigid construction which ensures the success of this model project. To ensure the success of this project, VARIO sells the fuselage kit including the mechanics. For safety reasons, it is compulsory to mount the specific VARIO tandem rotor heads.
Vario CH47 Chinook what a marvelous piece of engineering and joy to fly!

Tim H.




Mark S.
Michael K.










Gonzalo M.


























