Tail Rotor

Happy new year...

It's not only nose-in or turning inside, it's scale flight at its best with the scale helicopter in all of it's full scale brother attitudes. It's quite easy with practice on standard tail helis (raised or straight) which have much better tail authority. Last summer I flew my new 1/6 Vario H145 which is a modified EC-145 with a Vario 10 blade fenestron. The new fenestron is lighter and a lot more efficient than the old 8 blade or 9 blade Roban. And easily adaptable since it has the same form factor as Align. But I dont use either and against all detractors mine flies perfectly with a belt drive. The new fenestron does not bring tail authority to levels attainable with standard tail blades but provides enough for most circumstances. Although it's still a light wind flier. So far I have built 4 fenestron scale, two H130, one H145 and the latest one a 600 size Gazelle (with the old 8 blade and CW blades), I will complete setup this year. I intend to build a 3rd H130 with the 10 blade Vario for this summer also.

https://youtu.be/mJ8nn5DdGQs?si=t0U6CKuQK_DpS-sf
https://youtu.be/zPySNsuKMVg?si=1RCE34gi1EM3aEpd
https://youtu.be/qx-QkmtXhxI?si=nG3i9noape3gaevX
https://youtu.be/Uiz6wcz_BCA?si=C6CWJOwLu5P8Kg9A

This very much outlines last season...

For 2026, I have the Vario 520n on the work bench. I ordered a 1/4.5 R22 from my friend at RVE, I should get in a few days and, will build a 5th H130. All to explore and improve orientation flight for scale.

Have great new flying season and remember if they stay on the shelf, your skills are not improving.

It is said that a scale project is never truly finished.. After flying my 500 sized Sikorsky HO3S-1 for a few years, I was finally able to address one of my primary gripes with the project, and add a correct 3 bladed tail rotor to replace the old Align 2 blade tail. To do this, I used a Gaui X3 tail unit, an aftermarket Trex 500 clone tail gearbox, and a bit of 3D printing.

The major issue was that the Gaui tail slider wasn’t compatible with stock Align parts, as it used a circular slider. I found this aftermarket unit and with a bit of re-engineering, was able to get it to work with the Gaui tail: .

The pitch links on the Gaui were also way too short. So, I designed 3D printed longer tail pitch links that fit the bushings from the stock parts (stock pitch link is the small black part in the final photo).

Tail blades were microhelis Blade 180 main blades cut down to size and reshaped. I completed a few test flights with the new tail and so far it’s worked great! No change to its excellent flight characteristics.

ive got my md500 500 sz with trex 500 mechs and mini v bar fbl my tail pitch control is not behaving as should its not responding to right stick commands under load so when l spool up and l give right rudder it does not respond if l give left rud it works then after left command the right will respond but wont give enough pitch to control the helicopter l can replicate the issue by light touch of the tail blade while giving right command.
funny thing the unit compansation is correct when l swing the modle left to right end to end

Pre-announcement of my new XXL dome mechanics for scale models starting about 2 meters.

The aim of development was inexpensive, uncompromising construction with high versatility as possible. Can be used on many large models at your own discretion. The following attributes are also documented in the pictures.
Alloy housing , steel gearbox secondary slanted and fully encapsulated , primary gearbox POM milled , various ratios for main and rear rotor. Various engines can be used up to maximum Kontronik Pyro 1000. Rotor shaft 12 mm various lengths, small dimensions and mass, powder coating, servo holder for 90/120 degrees at Dome mounted for standard servos.

Pre order offer for first series
998 Euro plus VAT . , available as long as . Shipping only within the EU or self-pickup upon completion.
For interested US customers please contact
Mark Smith at
Info@heliworkshop.com

New from XXL Helicopter

Black Magic Mechanics

In the pictures you can see the latest development of the 'black magic' dome mechanics. By popular demand, there is now tail rotor RPM’s from under 4000 to 10,000 rpm (Fenestron) are now possible.
The mechanics can also be rotated 180 degrees (motor front / rear) installed because the rear rotor drive can also be turned.
The gears are built up closed as far as possible and are very strong.
Ratio’s from 12:1 to 21:1 are possible . For e motors with a maximum diameter of 65 mm and 30 mm hole circle up to 10 Kw . No limit on engine length .
This is light industrial mechanics which was built modularly, the direct use of main shafts with 12/15/and 20 mm is possible.
Each mechanical kit is individually manufactured by XXL and adapted to your desired requirements.
Due to the relatively light weight and the robustness of the components, this full metal mechanics is universal for all XXL models from 2 m or can be adjusted.
The main difference to the 'blue magic mechanics' is the stern drive. This one is missing from the blue one, where the rear is driven with a separate electric motor.