Latest in Scale Helicopters

I have built a total of 13 Roban scale helicopters and all have flown perfectly. I loved the looks of the Mercy Air but wanted to change it to the "Utility" version replacing the retractable gear with skid gear. Being new to 3D printing, I printed some suitable looking seats, patient streacher, SPH5 flight helmet, cyclic grips. I pieced together the pilot using accessories from Ebay and BlackOpsToys, added a harness set from Micro Designs to finish out the cockpit and interior. I enjoy building the Roban models, they build easy and fly great. I can't keep them all, lol and this one has a home with a lifelong friend David Stinnett and he is enjoying it immensely.

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..

Functional Water Tank (Over The Top)

One of several new products from Heliworkshop OTT collection 2023 The tanks are sized to fit 1/7.5 - 1/5.5 UH 1 Huey series helicopters. They are going into final testing very soon and will be available in static unpainted up to functional plug and play. The smaller size will hold up to approximately 40 oz of water and the larger about 90 oz. Servos are installed in the tank and are water proofed. The tanks can have either 1 or 2 individual water compartments for one large drop or one large and one small secondary drop. I’ve experimented with water/milk mix which gives a good visual effect with the water drop against bright sunny days, looks very nice. Hopefully I can get some good video soon. One of the test helicopters is the Roban 412 with tall landing gear. I will provide a update regarding pricing once testing is complete

Since the field is closed until April, I use this time for maintenance on all my planes and helis.

Since I was removing the Shuttle mechanics from the FK A109 for a good degreasing and inspection, I thought I would give the fuselage a new look. I removed the tricycle gear and added skids to make a stand off (way way off) AW109 Trekker.

I used a set of skids for the FK .30 size JetRanger and took an inch out of the cross tubes to make them a bit narrower. I am really liking the look. Next I will figure out a way to close the holes from the gear and maybe change the exhaust to the baloney cut exhaust. Skids will also be painted , just not sure what color yet.

For all Lama / Alouette II lovers. There are now the wheels on the skids including the brackets available. I can 3D print the tyres in rubber to fit any scale. The first prototype is already in the printer.
The tyre profile and the rim are still being adapted to the original. I am just waiting for the corresponding pictures.
This item is available as a complete set or just the holders individually.