Latest in Scale Helicopters

I thought I’d share my build notes for my UH-1N, and hope the info may be of use to anyone about to embark on a similar build. My heli is far from perfect and is only my second attempt at a scale model (I’m always amazed by the standard of others’ builds on these sites).

The notes include my component layout schema, wiring diagrams and the additional components I bought / built to complete the model.

In addition to mechanics and stock Roban fuselage, the build included lights, a glass cockpit (with working Artificial Horizon and compass rose), a HD camera in the cockpit that downlinks using standard 5.8GHz, a wifi camera in the nose turret (that downlinks to a laptop), and a RemoteID tramsmitter. There was also quite a bit of 3D printing to make items such as the wire strike protection system, the under-nose ball turret, the cockpit, and a battery tray.

I’d welcome any positive ideas to improve :)

I am currently building my second Roban 800 size heli, a AS365 Coast Guard. Following the instructions I drilled the tail mounting holes, glued in the pem nuts, and life was good. Now I am installing the mechanics and when they are bolted in place, the tail assembly does not line up with the front fuse half, or the mounting holes. I see only two ways to fix, raise the front of the mechanics as you can see in the photos with the screw driver, or enlarge the opening where the tail boom exits the fuse into the tail rotor area, (not my first choice). What would guys do, especially the Roban builders who may have delt with this already? Thank you.

The aircraft fuselage is cast from composite material using custom-made molds, then reinforced with a balsa wood framework and a system of structural ribs. Each component undergoes a center-of-gravity calibration process before moving on to the finishing stage.
The product is delivered unpainted, allowing the project owner to select their own color scheme and level of detail; alternatively, clients may request that the workshop complete the finishing process according to agreed-upon specifications.

I have built many Hueys, from the Hirobo 30 size to the big gas powered Hirobo but this 1/4.8 scale Huey is the largest at around 98 inches. The first picture is how it came out of the box. I had read many things about the HELI-FACTORY models and the detail and quality was much more than expected. This is one of their "Super Scale" models with rivets and raised panels, panel lines and many other exterior details created during the manufacturing of the fuselage. HELI-FACTORY cuts out all opening panels and doors/windows and pre-installed all the woodword ready for the mechanics to be installed. The mechanics were assembled and ready for the installation of my Spektrum electronics, Kontronik 1000 and Kontronik 200 ESC. I installed a sound system for a very realistic start-up and shutdown. The rotor head is the most realistic Huey head I have seen in a model.
The cockpit and armament are a product of SCALE-PRINT. The pilots and gunners are from TailoredPilots. I had the model flying within a couple of weeks "in the white" to get it airworty before disassembly for paint, personal detailing and weathering. I chose to build this Huey to represent a "C" model flown by the "Razorbacks" gunship platoon in Vietnam. The dummy turbine engine and M40 nose mounted granade launcher were 3D printed by Russell Rohan. I prefer my models to look well used and this one is highly weathered. Everything fit perfectly and flys GREAT !!!

I have been an avid admirer of Heli-Factory models for several years as well as a very big fan of the Bell HUEY. I have several thousand hours in helicopter aviation and had the opportunity to fly the Huey and have been "hooked" ever since. With Heli-Factory introducing the 1/5th scale Bell 205 last year I had to have one and it is one of my most prized models. I have an acquaintance who flew for Air America in the sixties and I wanted to build this 205 to represent a 205 flown by the "CIA" covert airline. This model is about 96 inches in length. This is the first Heli-Factory Bell 205 using electric for power. The mechanics are designed and geared for turbine use so I reached out to Vincent Offenbeck at Egodrift with the necessary information and he recommended the 5040HS-385 using a Kontronik 210ESC and running on 14S. All Spektrum electronics, Bavarian 3X. I have added a BEIER-ELECTRONIC.DE sound system.
The cockpit and exterior detailing are a product of Scale-Print, the pilot is from PremierPilots and detailed with the necessary Air America clothing and patches. With the mechanics hidden I had lots of room for scale accessories. Air America was famous for "across the border" operations that were not allowed by the U.S. Military in Vietnam. They flew a lot of cargo resupply ( among other things, lol ) and that is what I wanted to represent. The model is painted in Air America colors of silver and blue and this one is highly weathered to represent a well used helicopter. The 205 has a RTF gross weight of 54 pounds and flys GREAT.

Here's my progress on the Big Schweizer 300 from Vario. I just moved to Idaho, so waiting to get moved into our new home, but I'll post up more as the project progresses. I've modified the mechanics frames and installed a back FG panel in the cabin to allow the installation of a full cockpit from Patrick Leong. He and I collaborated on the first of it's kind fully detailed cockpit for this kit and it is a work of art. More on the cockpit later. My colleague Patrick printed an incredibly detailed Lycoming engine for it as well. It's converted to electric on 12S with one on my custom clutch adapters for the motor. I'll post pics of the mechanics frame mods when I pull the heli from storage. Stay tuned...

UIH,

After all the rain over the weekend it cleared up enough yesterday afternoon for its maiden.

The stick frictions on the TX are a little different that I am use to and I have never flown or set up the FC 6250 controller but things went great. Looked to have one blade out of track which I will check later today. Heli was weighted to roughly the finished weight and set up a touch forward CG. Power felt great with the data from the ESC looking very good. Some adjustments and she will be ready to go.

A vid of the event.

UIH,

B

I often find myself porting small tools from one work table to another or simply scattering my tools on the sole table I’m using.

The other day, while grabbing supplies from Harbor Freight, I noticed an end cap display of mini toolboxes in a variety of colors. I had to grab a few thinking I would anchor two in my heli van and have one for my main workbench. I’ve now discovered just how useful these cute little boxes really are. I’m working on an assembly table (not my sit-down bench. I just grabbed the box and put it right in my work area. Every time I’m finished with a tool, I pop it back into the box and it’s never lost.

Simple and fun! $18 bucks at Harbor Freight!!

While working through my build of the Roban 600 “Superscale” Airwolf ARF with compactor mechanics, I was frustrated to see that the build manual was only available in German. I ended up translating it into English with a whole lot of help from word and google translate. It's still a work in progress, and I may make some updates/additions as I progress through my build. Here is some other important info that was not in the original manual for those building one:

Main gear ratio: 10.91:1
Tail ratio: 4.95:1

Motor Pinion: 17T
1st Stage Main Pulley: 60T
2nd Stage Pinion: 22T
2nd Stage Main gear: 68T
Main Bevel Gear: 32T
Tail Output Bevel: 20T

On a similar note, Roban recommended an 1100kv motor in the original flight manual, which would result in 1980rpm. That seemed overkill on a 600 to me. I'm planning on using a 790KV Egodrift motor to target 1400rpm.

Hopefully others find this helpful in building the kit!

…Coming soon from XXL Helicopter…
206L V2

This helicopter in kit form will be available and ready for pre orders very soon. The kit is primarily designed in the electric version for the experienced builder. Turbine version would be special order after customer consultation. It has been upgraded with improvements since version one was introduced many years ago. The 407 will be available next since it shares parts of the same mold. For more info use below email link.

For USA info@heliworkshop.com
Europe helifantenmaus@aol.com

Scale 1/3.5
Rotor 3.3 meter
20 mm main shaft
Scale rotor head
Semi scale tail rotor
Scale exterior parts included
Electric dome mechanics
Functional doors
Removable tail boom, less than 5 minutes, no tools needed

Check out the video of a version 1 from several years ago

Painting fuselage
I got a lot of experience from my first scale build. Among others challenges with painting. In what order to paint inside /outside / detailing etc. But biggest problem was to choose type of lack. I started with an alkyd paint but was not happy. A tiny fragment of dust left an “island” of non paint area and a lot of frustration. If you was heavy on the spray can the lack will move downward, and you are back to start.
Then I tried nitro cellulose lack that works better. Just that you can not mix this lack and alkyd lack because NC lack dissolves the underlying lack. It is hard to touch up NC lack with a brush, because the fresh lack will dissolve the old lack and just make mess.
So people out there, what are you using that is giving less headache?

How frustrating is it to need a part only to be told you have to wait weeks or months to get it? Like you, I hate that, which is why Heliworkshop stocks THOUSANDS of parts so you don’t have to wait at a critical point in your build or repair.

At Heliworkshop, we are the only “stocking” Vario dealer in the USA with a strong emphasis on getting the parts or kits you need as soon as possible. Vario has a 5000+ parts inventory. Although it is impossible to maintain all 5000+ parts in our stock, we do our best to fill orders and ship in stock parts within 24 hours. If we don’t have the parts you need in stock, we simply add them to our weekly orders that ship from the German warehouse. Either way, we are always working to make sure you get what you need quickly.

Next time you think about kits, parts, service or just critical help with your Vario model, remember that we are builders with more than 30 years of experience building and flying Vario and other brands of model helicopters. We know what you need because we’ve been there!

Starting my first scale Heli.
Finishing up an Align 550X super combo kit.
Have a Funkey Bell222 (not Airwolf scheme).
50/600 size. Most things are straight forward except how ill mount the battery. If stock mount, I’ll have to get access from front or improvise a mount.
Next foreseen problem is mechanical retracts that came with kit. Servo sync etc. I’ll be using either a DX7 G2 or JR XG8 DMSS
Question is are they worth messing with or suggest electric or air that will fit well. Could someone recommend a set of servos for the supplied retracts. Better yet, a reasonably priced set of electric or air retracts
I guess the first question should be is the 550X a good setup for the Funkey 222.
Any comments and help is appreciated..