Roban H130
My Quickest Way to Scale
I have always felt that Roban models are a GREAT way to aquire a very nice looking scale model at a minimal cost compared to building a kit with a fuselage, painting and detailing, choosing mechanics, electronics and assembly. I have had Robam ARF models in the air within a few days of delivery. They make a really nice looking "Sport Scale" helicopters right out of the box BUT with a little extra effort you can easily make them into a very realistic helicopter. My friend Rene Gotiear won the AMA Nationals in the 518 ( Expert ) class in 2018 using a highly detailed Roban 407.
I have built many Roban helicopters over the past several years with the first being the 800 UH-1N that you may have seen on the MotionRC website with the tail number 100545.
ROBAN H130
Having no experience with models equipped with a fenestron and reading a lot of comments about problems builders were having I wanted to try one.
First thing to do was highlight the rivets and panel lines with permanent markers and 1/64th inch Graphic Tape. I changed the "Grand Canyon" graphics to "Rocky Mountain Adventures" to keep from looking like all the other red 130 models. I added some detail to the "heat shield" on the tail boom, painted the fenestron housing black and of course added the necessary "exhaust soot" for a little more realism, lol. Using flat black paint with a little micro-ballons mixed in, taped and brushed on the "no slip" to the skids and steps. Added a little detail to the fuel filler, added the Wire Strike Protection System, Harness sets are from Micro-Designs and built the custom pilot.
Mechanics, Starflex Head, Flying
I set up ALL my Roban models the same way by positioning the servo arms ninety degrees to the pushrods set at half stick which is my "hover point". I don't use a lot of cyclic deflection flying scale. I pinned the torque tube ( something I have done in all my models long before Roban ). I chose an Egodrift motor, Castle 120 ESC on 12S, Spektrum electronics, 470 ounce servo on the fenestron, Bavarian 3X and a sound system.
I love the added realism of the Roban Starflex rotor head and had to have one on this model to complete the package. With the main rotor set to the recommended maximum rpm of 1200 and the 3X at eighty percent head agility this 130 flew PERFECTLY.
