Fusuno Bell 407 / Vario Mechanics

Having several hundred hours logged in a 407 I wanted to build the Fusuno fuselage sold by HeliDirect as it closely represents the correct details in the full size with the wider body at the rear of the cabin doors and the upper cowling and stabilizers. The kit is supplied with the low skid gear but without the proper angles and stance, this was going to be the first change. Purchasing new aluminum rod for the crosstubes I used my J-B Weld method of making the skid gear from the "low skids" to the "high skid" version with the correct angles. After the skid gear was made I moved on to the Vario SkyFox mechanics. I wanted a full cockpit and the mechanics needed a slight modification by removing thd front of the frames where the nitro engine was mounted along with the cooling duct and reinforced with 1/8th G10. I wanted to mount them high in the fuselage to allow battery placement underneath the mechanics at the CG to allow for a quick battery change. I converted to electric with a Scorpion 4035 and kept the stock nitro clutch for a nice slow engagement of the rotor during startup. Once happy with the configuration of the mechanics in the fuselage I made the woodwork out of 1/8th Lite-ply. Next would be the cockpit.