Rémy Fehlmann

Answer: 291 grams with 637mm lenght (TT ready to install)

I understand. My concern is my eyes in my case as product is corrosive.. Protection is recommended anyway. I'm wearing nitrile gloves, hermetic googles (to vent time to time once fog starts to develop) and working in ventilated room. I also avoid watching closely the parts without protection when...

UHU Plus Endfest 300 here. I like its properties and goes where I want with setting the position of the assembly (gravity). I also use it as filler and sand it after 24h. Ex. misplaced hole: fill it and drill again. Sits very well in deep areas and air bubbles are evacuated on the top (very...

Super clean setup !

Awesome work indeed 👍 Pilot seating well ?

In addition to the programming logic, I use: 1. Labels 2. Colors (shrink tube, I don't like the usual caps as too thick for me) 3. My innovant mechanical protection, same idea as real aicrafts switch covers, so I don't shutdown the turbine inadvertently. The 2nd switch with home made arm tells the...

4/4 - Done

3/4

2/4 Nylon self locking nut recommended ..

Ok doing now. Again, these are just suggestions, take it as check-list 😊

Thanks, all good re yours comments. I also tried to open same image but no success, possibly web site issue with its size. Maybe Mike will pass by and the check the same. Otherwise I can post the images individually, just let me know if interested.

Thanks for sharing ! Find few ideas of things to check, mainly for reliability purpose. Possibly also of interest for others passing by. Great job by the way!

Yes, topside connection is key to avoid fiddly oscillations. Without using a camera, one can only see tail movements without noticing that's coming from the head. I also use a camera inside the cockpit to monitor vibrations and eventual degradation over time of the components, like real airliners...

Great pro work Danny !

Never seen indeed, either build reports or Vario wiki (I won the 2nd prize in 2023 contest with Bell 212 1:7 build report). Usage of video projector looks to be generally "undocumented" or not used often, while makes so sense to use it for best scale results, like a laser. Maybe I miss something,...

Using the video projector is brilliant, never seen this!

Given the size of such heli, the manufacturer of your rotor head could propose a "lifting eye" part, which is temporary installed for lifting operation (screwed in for AS350).

Thanks for sharing. Interesting re more prone to resonance when using more than two blades. Must admit that's counter-intuitive to take off asap when resonance starts to happen. The "ground resonance" incident in MacGyver occurs in the episode "Deathlock" (Season 1, Episode 12), where a helicopter...

Hats off, Patrick. Wonder if same device could have a variant dedicated to non-air vehicule, like a tank with dedicated effect. Well done!

I use the pitch curve as last optimization step and tuning for 2 main things - max 3-4 points: - flaten the curve on the hover zone to create some cushion - temporary compensate hot weather/lack of density by increasing the pitch on the mid upper range (I do on 2nd flight, difference is impressive)...

Good way to smoothly extract a bearing while appyling enough torque. Align has a tool based on same concept. I use it when fits with bearing size.

It's an Amewi AMXRock RCX8B Scale Pick-Up 1:8 RTR. Very good quality for the price. Added few options from other brands: - Alu hook, shrinked to fit within chassis - 2 additional rear schock absorbers (now 4) - White leds inside headlights (no lights at all for the version I have received) + gyro...

Same here. Make sure to unplug its blue battery if not used for long period (Ultra Guard does ongoing monitor = little consumption). I use also the BEC Guard and led flashing module of same brand as full protection combo.

An idea would be to have a window for inspection/service, similar to Baumann (carbon cap). Per exemple on below side so we can access without removing it from the tail. Would love to have if not too heavy and same dimensions so replacement of plastic one is possible.

Motion including arms is awesome, I find it realistic. Must be very visible in flight. Well done!

The good thing with this hobby is that we got some flexibility on choices and there are options on solutions!

Same here. Further changed hub + blade holders to Vario for bigger ball bearings. My choice, Baumann products are fine and professional service. Notes: - don't fill full of grease, not necessary (surplus will exit between shaft and bearing anyway). - grease V10/360 here. - open the little window...

Tip: I use a 4K camera + onboard Insta360 to analyze vibration status at ground and in flight, and zooming with video editing software (some patterns are not necessarily detected by FBL unit vibration detection feature). Also, whole fuselage must be sharp when scrutiny pictures taken with 200mm...

What I have done for my Lama is simply to add two tiny wires in parallel (not in serie as usually) to snif the current voltage and this is connected to the external telemetry voltage input of the 7008SB. At some pre-defined low voltage I know it's time to land and there is approx. 20% battery left...

Your setup should tell the possible options and their size. Tell us more! For my Lama Vario T-Rex I got Emcotec 100/200 and three OptiPower modules: Backup + Flash Alert + Anti EMF/Power back. Switch is convenient to connect the batteries in advance with no fiddling of the heli at public show.

One tip for such piece is NOT to be air tight: internal pressure must ideally equalize with ambiant. All depends how mounted, rigidity, volume and internal struts if any. Mines started to inflate after returning from a meeting located at different altitude. Drill a tiny hole afterwards, if needed...

Remember that red wiring can be very visible! (your gears will be out sometime)

Hi Danny, no answer yet so jumping in. Ask to Vario if not alrewady done - Exhaust area vs fuse shape can be the problem. Remember also that the 3-3 has a much rear CG so possibly more weight to add in the nose (we would fly this model quite sporty so best to be light) Keep us posted please!

Amazing how rpm of AC is stable despite high rotation, see btw -0:55 and -0:30. Smooth pilot inputs, great AC setup and ECU management.

Maybe your dog should be more involved 🤣

Cable lacing is well used in aerospace. Find very interesting article:

I use a lot these, they are very handy to install also afterwards as we can open them. Material is not just basic plastic and is heat resistant. I use a lighter to stabilize the tips when I cut them. Excellent product.

The speed of the retracts is very close to the real one, around 4-5secs. Great!

Thanks Butch for your time, much appreciated. Another factor is maybe on which side is the AC. Mine is CCW with Baumann AC metal gearbox on the right side (spinning CCW) = also more weight on the right! Done this as I wanted to have it same side as the real, contrary to build manual.. This setup...

Very nice! The fuse looks calm and neutral which is great news. Can see little tendency to find its horizon slighty tilted on the left. Don't think its related to wind as doing this in different situations during whole flight. Have you noticed the same? I would eventually revisit main shaft angle...

Super!

Mmh I'm not convinced about skin tone and the lips are very contrasting. Find comparison. Truck driver is 30$ Ken toy, just to avoid an empty cabin. Pilot is a much more expensive pilot, on which I've done some weathering to avoid plastic looking (quite ok from far). Of course, there are much more...

Status update after one year+ of experience since my last post: Header tank is a MUST, even if your setup is presumably dealing well with bubbles, thanks to felt clunk, flexible movements of clunck, cone below the tank (look the picture, there is a black cone below the fuselage), etc. Bubbles do...

Tom Cruise should watch this awesome trailer 🎬

Mike knows Roban very well, check out he´s YT channel if not already done, example:

Gustave Eiffel would have loved this engineering 😄

Hi Uwe, suggest we compare our settings because your camera should follow heli angle, not counteract and keep horizon while you turn - this is not realistic! For the high freq vibrations there is also something to explore. . You can send me a pm if you want!

Hi Uwe, here is my home made adapter, as you requested. Took some time to keep it simple and find ideal dampening so the software can best process accordingly - see settings below. From the top: - fir wood glued to fuselage - thin carbon plate cut from small heli battery tray - dampeners and plate...

Notice the angle on the stabs done by Uwe. Awesome details all over the place!

See how I do my cuts: - no rush, have a progressive approach, no direct cut - I use car deco strip to define e.g., how large is a border of a window - apply car deco stripe for marking exact cut - protect all around, see bottom left picture - use Dremel "right angle adapter" (option to buy); helps...

To check a standard led individually, I connect it directly to a CR2032 3 Volts button battery, making sure polarity is correct; the longer leg of the led is the plus (+). If the leg is already soldered to a lead, then the red one is likely to be the plus. A led can be standard in terms of voltage...

Note regarding the main gear upgrade: Roban issued a new improved version following customer feedback, ref. SHSM-800SU. About this main gear replacement, see e.g., YT channel "Northwest Scaleworks by JestRR" and look for video "Roban Reach Bell 407 Re-Gear and spring tuneup!!". This is maintenance,...

Don't worry about the hole, metal is very robust.

Same here, I have imported many of them from Korea (from manufacturer). See their website for size and lenght. Exchanged couple emails with them (in english) and worked great.

Butch, out of curiosity you installed the retracts without cutting the windows to ensure that the fuse keeps the shape or any other reason?

Was great to meet you Uwe -Fantastic work 👍

Check out your telemetry log at 2min20 to see if it was you doing backward cycling input to counteract sudden acceleration (heli was happy to accelerate given axis and maybe the air going same direction)

Someone noticed that I was systemically doing CCW circles. As valid comment, I practiced more CW's which I didn't find obvious dues to the ´bad' habit .. Something I will never forget.

Tip: I use my kitchen marble to verify if the TT is straight, looking for any light passing below. Very acurate. If absolutely wanted and no replacement part available, little corrections can be eventually made with bending gently manually, with practice, lot of patience and time .. as well accept...

Excellent! Maybe some extra weathering for extra realism but this is already master piece and difficult to tell if real .. or real 😄

Still interested to know the approx weight of a 3D printed fuse and any other benefits vs fiberglass - is it per ex. lighter? (average of course as many factors).

You might want have with you a spare kero starter if you got one. Saw well known pilot having to replace it for his big scale Gazelle at a show (super rare but true experience).

Yep, nice. Exact size to be checked indeed. Note the servo operated head and random motion generator options. Not cheap but you might like it.

@Joe Bessette Wrong assumption 😄

Superb!

Some photograph took couple picture in flight. When looking at those afterwards, we found very visible that there was no pilot onboard! Not something we focus on when flying.. Find picture prior enhancement. Any provision for your beautiful machine?

The idea is priority to give much current as possible to the Demon (and of quality/regulated) once there are servos attached to it (high current peaks). Receiver(s) is ´nothing' so can get current from the Demon or other source. I'm used to redundant power both A and 6 (picture is install in...

See how stable. Here candy drop at public show.

Very nice setup! I have made a quick antirotation device I can plug to the hook !

First time I see a flIying AMG Mercedes 😜

Fyi I use Align blade clips for both main and AC blades (here Helitec), to extend contact surface with the blades. Allows precise tightening and durability of blade root, in your case M-Blade. Ref. 700/800: H70H001XXT Align statement: providing bigger contact area between clip and blade, not only...

Yep, here hole inside for non removable approach (not an issue if there is wiring) and best being able to remove for e.g. position light maintenance

As time saver alternative, this B212 Vario fuselage was so perfectly issued from moldings that here I opted for NO PAINT at all 😄 Hats off to Vario. (black is self-adhesive vinyl sheet heated in shape)

Follow the steps from where you are: (report done for Vario build contest)

Tip: make sure to have a tiny hole in the tail fins, either internal or external. This is to avoid air pressure difference that could cause the tail fins to shrink or expand, if they are hermetically fixed in place. Happened to me after several weeks, once returned from an airshow located quite far...

I also add some woodwork in front. Allows more stability for attaching the upper side of the mechanics to the fuselage.

What is the budget and heli type? For me, automotive paint for gas/kero engine, or eventually 2K spray prepared by automotive shop, providing the RAL number. Spray isn't very precise hovewer (pressure, valve, linearity). Good prep of fuselage and work by painter for best application thanks to...

Application example

Does wrap and stick well, easy to remove if needed one day.

This is quite visible - I use auto-styling matt vinyl film (or permanent pencil for small area)

Looks great. One idea is to paint also the blades for tracking, nice looking in flight and eventually match with the fuselage. Find picture of real heli as example. You would use same yellow as the fuselage. Note: RAL #1003 (traffic yellow) for Helitec (I use 1021 Colza to fit with weathering)

Fully agree, as demonstrated by pool. Adding too much weight might denote a problem, typically missing dry test with all components and lack of anticipation, possibly difficult to optimize afterwards, e.g. once woodwork already glued in place. It depends also the type of mechanic. Per example the...

@Charlie - Not sure which heli you got but note that 2K paint (or epoxy) is best for gas/kero operated aircraft and also nicely resistant to scratch. Make sure to fine sand prior application (1000) and verify that blades are still balanced along the process. You might want also consider the look in...

@Nick - find link for good recap of EC- (not 120) fenestron Roban models. Search for EC- Look full container from Roban recently received in Switzerland, this is not the first time... Strong investment and trust.

The Hirobo kit # 0414-911 looks discontinued so not an ideal investment as flyer, whatever price. It's like buying an expensive watch, while not sure can be further maintened or repaired. Difference is that a watch can still have good value on the market, whatever state, which is much less obvious...

Comments First spool up without main blades: put a finger on the carbon pushrod to confirm doesn't vibrate. Nylstop allows perfect adjustment, maintenance tuning and no risk to get loose (no need to glue/loctite then).

Known issue to share indeed!! I use the flawless OptiPower "BEC Guard" module to handle this, as well prevent EMS back feed from servos to upstream device(s). Example of configuration from user manual:

One-way bearing wrong direction might be due to outsourced work, or just internal. Error can happen, maybe some more check by Vario would be good.

Happy New Year 2024 Joe and All the best to you and family. Fantastic Micro work !! You know that these amazing details won't be all seen in flight, therefore proper static display is best. Too many helis are just laying on the ground when not flying, while public not able to appreciate scale...

The clamping method looks very nice. I use inflatable wheels for little dampening , sometimes best to have, per example here.

Just so you know, we got now flexible filaments to extend possibilities. Printed part doesn't broke, has damper properties and form tolerence. E.g. I'm creating a turbine exhaust cap, similar to Vario 530/17. Flexibility allows easy fit and good grip.

I opted for quick Vivak sheet, which is light and easy to remove for maintenance. Overall aspect not looking too bad from far. Definitively not scale but got very limited space with Align 700X and didn't want challenge that one. Tip: used crushed gold servo shims to reinforce the holes.

Very nice. Professional Service 😄

I use DuBro inflatable smooth wheels!

Hi Jason, Added weight with fuselage might involve increasing little bit RPM to help sustain regime during pitch pump (also right pinion gears ratio needed, as you know already). ESC will compensate but more demand/amperage peak if RPM too low. If not already done, capture now the in-flight ESC...

Tail shaking during spoolup can denote some chassis resonnance at intermediate regime nor main blades self-aligning. Don't tight them too much! Nothing to worry and something to review once in the fuselage. Go fly!

Very smooth! What I do is video shot in 4K and zoom around with the editing software to detect any vibration not visible from pilot point of view. I also put some cameras inside if the model has a fuselage.

Ready for replacement. Different specs so RPM and pitch curve might need some adjustments.

Hi Jason, I have Spinblades scale asymetrical 710 since many years and no issue (item 1882710). Great specs and tip already yellow which is nice. Except last set having some unexplained deterioration, see picture, please zoom. Didn't fly over sand etc.. Under radar and got some more Helitec ready...

Hey Jason, one question. Understand you are going to install this beauty in some scale fuselage. Have you considered using assymetrical blades, generally more convenient for scale application. E.g., allows to run at lower RPM which is more realistic.

Enjoy your dinner experience at Remy's adult-exclusive restaurant serving fine French fare 😄

Point 3: guess wanted to say 60 seconds slow start 😄 (12 is the default shipped value)

Hello, Corrosion is the enemy and lubricant tend to deteriorate over time, mostly separation of the oil and its thickener. This is maybe what you have. With 60% humidity and 20°C, bearings can be stored for up to 10 years, also if well greased. I doubt your bearings have had such ideal conditions.....

Hi Tidal, this is a Vario critical part around 130USD, to not fail in flight. I have no information about your skills and this is expensive. Is it the reason why not buying a new one? If you succesfully remove the two bearings without damaging the supporting flange, you will also need to...

Well spotted, it's an old picture, fixed since with wiring. See above the UAT missing the second fuel valve as old picture.

Fully agree, like in this picture (the small tie is to prevent the big one moving around)

Interesting! To prevent the issue with the Emcotec fueling valve, I implemented dual fill configuration: 1. Refueling From Emcotec going directly to tank (extra input in it), not impacting fuel pressure on BVM side in case of air leak. 2. Service From two chained stop valves going to BVM, to remove...

Hi Uwe, Action 1: Fuel Line Installed BVM. Definitively a must have to prevent bubbles entering in the small combustion chamber having to sustain the flame .. Also useful to keep an eye on fuel line health: more air than usual in the BVM is suspect. There was no header tank in first place as there...

Not an excuse, but for those not being able to attend this major event, any recording or YouTube live will be much appreciated please!

Nice! Another idea would be to create some 3D printed tire guard, similar to real ones for cars.

These colors are not 100% but still showing the idea

This is very nice Joe! Suggestion1: have a bigger shaft to make it closer to real one. This part is quite visible in flight. If already installed, you might want wrap it with some extra tube. Suggestion2: weathering yellow, red and green wirings (otherwise toy looking) Suggestion3: The last bit of...

I never trust new servos and had one issue with old one, after very long storage in low humidity conditions. New servo was having little play on its shaft, so the heli was slighlty moving around main shaft axis during hover. It's been a long journey to figure out the cause, found by a 3D pilot who...

Vario Lama with Align 700X. Features Benedini Sound and hook to drop candies 😄

While we are here, recommend you inspect the one-way bearing and it's shaft, clean and lube. Here picture of replaced components during major overhaul.

Nice indeed and 3D printing is a definitive trend. For such fuselage, what are the pro and cons? Per example: cost, weight, sound, ground resonnance, assembling all printed parts, preparation before painting, shock resistance, etc. Any thoughts?

I use 2x second hand GO 2! (latest is GO 3). Best results in my case is PRO video mode setting to record as well the gyro data. Then I use their Studio software to export in MP4 80mbits with FPV gyro mode enabled. Amazing performance and mature firmware/software for such 28gr. camera! Tip: with...

Now, we need the pilot to turn its head as per flight direction! The whole is going so real that you will be able to rent your services to professional filmmakers. Sehr Gut!

Mike, looks like not mention in current version of PDF user manual, but you can increase of 5mm the torque tube with adding two coupling pads - anyway recommended for all builds to damper the TT (ref. 412/49 ø7, 2x 2,5mm thick, to be glued inside)

Hello, not sure I understand the question and I'm not an expert on this, but I do remember discussions with similar conclusions, in short: At full throttle an ESC is close to 100% efficiency. Then, as the throttle decrease the efficiency also decreases, which results into more heat to be dissipated...

kit change

Agree this is confusing. Same can also happen with pictures not necessary matching with batch version. Manufacturers are sometime including some addendum sheet to highlight changes and fixes.

Fantastic job. You might want provision a small discrete hook btw the two seats, to optionally use the Insta360 GO 2 or similar tiny camera for in flight movie.

HeliTec for composite. Manufacturer website:

Very neat wiring ! An idea is also to use a "hot glue gun" to secure the FBL device cables. Quick to do and easy to remove for maintenance (note channel 6 not glued on purpose).

Hi Stefan, I speak french - you can send me a personnal message and we can have a call to discuss heli scale setup and more questions as needed. Just to review the important points before you meet in person someone in your region.

Hi Stefan, important note: if with 3D you land with the stick around center position, don't expect that with a scale heli you would equally put the stick full down! Depending the machine, this might result to wobbling/shaking at ground dues to very low or negative pitch. So, with a scale heli,...

I use UHU Max Repair. See picture 34 here:

Awesome work. Weathering a little the windows is also an option to match with global aspect

Since I was struggling with the limited space to install the Vario tanks from the kit (700X mechanic), I just opted for quick Vivak sheet and 2K paint. Here Pink Panther theme, later on repainted as Heli-Zermatt. The diagonal black shapes are simply made with self-adhesive black-board sheet. The...

Awesome. How do we access to the electronic/servos located in the middle of the beast?

I hate adding/removing long blades at each flying session, so happy being able to just fold and hook them with the Vario 33/25 support.

Out of curiosity, is there any benefits regarding weight, rigidity or physical behavior change in flight vs fiberglass ?

Hello, I will also install the VSpeak of Volker (excellent product) because in my case the ECU V12 with its tiny telemetry cable going to SBUS2 is giving sometimes random peak values on any of the Jetcat sensors (V12.79 and 3.11 T18SZ). Can't configure high temp alarm per example as false alerts....

hello, found one picture- Google with these words: skyfox helifreak airwolf for sale . then look for thumbnails

Hello Gilles, J'ai aussi rédigé un article sur l'Axon, en français, donc je le signale également !

Couple flights yesterday and zero issue. Will order a new pump and review its orientation for being on the safe side (mine was shipped with the very first V2 builds). Thanks for the advice!

Hope sharing this experience will help other pilots. Will fly more and see how it goes. Thanks again.

The cone!

The setup

The newly added BVM

Thanks a lot Mike for detailled feedback. Now done 3 flights with UAT BVM and no issue, so far.. Still not 100% confident however. Its the brand new Jetcat BL pump, here mounted horizontally. I have now removed a filter between the pump and the solenoids as was hard to blow when comparing with a...

Adding data evidence

1) No stress is expected so needs to be confirmed, was it the case Richard? 2) Metal can be made from different alloys and different manufacturing batches. Roban or its supplier might have also improved the same along production so experience can vary. 3) I would try to see if there is any crack...

yes

Barbie too 😊

otherwise

Sure np Mike (we can rotate a bit to level for the banner)

I use a lot the Dremel 3000 + Right Angle Attachment 575 ; feeling more precision to cut&sand parts with keeping the wrist in line.

Hi Michael, guess she wait to have more showcases available which takes time.

Possibly made of Vivak designed to be worked at 100º C - here possibly lower temp with long exposure.