HeliClassics

Montage shot by my longtime RC buddy, Eric Balay.

What a dream to fly at this time of the year in Northern California.

She disappears easily

Nothing to me is more fun than devising and implementing a solution. I was using garden tree straps to hoist my Ka-32. I found some coated hooks at a truck supply and fashioned this disk to evenly distribute the load. Now I can just lower the disk assembly below the spindles and raise it to have the hooks latch on. Fun with plywood!

This was probably my best scale flight of the year at HSM 25!

We are ready for HSM25. The Kamov KA-50/52 needed some additional blade tracking adjustments, and it's performing well. I've replaced the front cabin with the 'Black Shark' version 50, and it looks combat-ready. I can easily switch to the 'Alligator' version 52. Matthias Strupf's Heliclassics product is exceptional. Do you like the Black Shark or the Alligator better?

Such an amazing aircraft and the display in the air it's quite impressive!

One of only two in the world designed, built and finished by Matthias Strupf, this badass helicopter now lives in Denver and will be beating the oxygen-deprived airspace as soon as temperatures and winds permit!

It’s that time again! Lube and Loctite to keep the torque monster at bay!

Thanks to all the guys who gave me clips!
HeliClassics Mi-24

My buddy caught a few seconds of my Mi-171. I haven’t had her out in quite some time! Love this machine!

A super cool event to attend!

FINALLY got good weather and a chance to fly the HeliClassics Mi-24 Hind after (a) installing a new fuel pump and (b) fixing the broken right main (which broke after a flameout from the bad pump). I love the way this model flies. The video is my second flight on this model since acquiring it almost a year ago!

Getting ready for HSM 2024!

My first flight on this HeliClassics Mi-24. I think the head gyro needs to be dialed down a bit and the right main axle needs a tweak. I bought this bird from John Christensen and Matthias from HeliClassics helped me (did all the work) convert it from Futaba to Jeti. We got lucky with a 55-degree day here in Colorado so I had to give it a whirl.

Thanks to Patrick Vestal for filming!

HeliClassics' own Matthias Strupf visited the ScaleHeliPilot shop in Colorado to convert this Mi-24 radio system from Futaba to Jeti! This is a video of the test flight.

Beautiful day to fly in Colorado!

It's snowing outside right now so all I can do is reminisce. Here is a short video collage of my favorite giant scale models doing what they do best!

A cool shot of my KA-32. I am ever fascinated by this beast.

Finishing up the 412! Weathering the helicopter adds depth and realism. It takes time but is worth it in the end.

Flight video!

Representing flingwings at Jets & Props Over Arvada.

Ignoring the stuck door, the machine performed well at Jets & Props!

Getting comfortable with the HeliClassics KA-32. Love this beluga!!!

Here are segments from my first flight of this enormous Mi-171 from HeliClassics. I bought this beauty from John Christensen and am still giggling like a little girl at how cool this model is in the air.

This was from Warbirds Over Denver 2023. Short demo flight of my HeliClassics Mi-171.