Heli #4 (update)

[Rolex]

Latest updates:
Trying to get 3 wheels to rise together with 2 servos was a MAJOR chore, but finally they are working nicely as a team.

After all the work of getting the stock heli up and running, here's what it had to get torn down to in order to be mounted inside the scale fuselage. The entire tail rotor assembly also had to be removed, while leaving its drive belt inside the tube.

Here's the initial test fitting:

Here are 4 perfectly balanced blades, balanced with the tape on the balancer you see, and set with a laser level.

Blades set in the rotor head.

New rotor head mounted in heli.

Final grinding and fit testing on the fuselage.

It's getting close!

 

[MGT8.0owner]

Rolex this is looking so sweet....i curently have a blade CP on the way and after i learn to fly a lil better i definatly want to try one of these scale builds...

do you mind me asking what this has cost you aproximently?

i'm also wounderig where you've bought your parts ans what not from?

 

[Lessen]

That's looking great Ralph! I love it! Please tell me you will get some vid of this bird in the air when she's done.

 

[hamz9561]

+1. Try to get someone else to get the video so you don't crash the beautiful bird getting pics/video of it.

 

[Rolex]

MGT, if you don't count the $350 DX7, there's about 300 in what you see on the outside...fuselage, rotor head and blades, then about another $400 in the heli on the inside, but that's everything...all the mechanical and electronic parts like servos, motor, speed controller and battery.
More than likely I'll have to upgrade the motor and batteries to deal with the extra weight, but what's in it now can then migrate to the other heli.
The parts have been purchased from several different online stores, and most have arrived registered mail direct from Hong Kong. Prices vary greatly, so you really have to do some searching. I saved just over $100 on the bare bones kit, alone. The fuselage is only made by one company, and even though it's available on several sites for 99, the shipping varied from $27 to $90.

As far as video...definitely! The problem is that I have several cameras and take lots of pics and vids, so I don't know how they will come out if someone else does it.

 

[Karl M]

That is one sweet lookin bird, can't wait to see some video.

 

[Rolex]

Latest Pics and updates..........

Top and bottom red strobes, white side strobes, red and green side lights installed.

I just couldn't look at any more photos of the real thing without
cutting a hole and installing a breather screen.

Added some trim and a corporate badge done on a Brother P-touch labeler.

Lights added in the nose as well as a thin trim stripe.

Trimmed the tail and added labels.

Added door handles and steps made from brass.

Traction pads for fueling (600 sandpaper) and dual wheels.

More to come. I've done some extras with the electronics and will have the final updates within a few days.
I waiting on the final component that was back ordered. It just shipped today.

 

[slowngreen]

Wowee! That looks very nice Rolex! Killer work, as always.

 

[digger]

That is sweet!

 

[hamz9561]

Lots of great details, Rolex!

 

[Karl M]

Truely a work of art, stunning! When will it be making it's maiden flight?

 

[Racer 1966]

Man that's AWESOME Ralph! Your stuff's nothing if not DETAILED! Are you really gonna fly it?

 

[Lessen]

For some reason I find this much much more interesting than scale trucks. Dunno why.. maybe just my fascination with heli's. :shrug:

 

[digger]

For some reason I find this much much more interesting than scale trucks. Dunno why.. maybe just my fascination with heli's. :shrug:

I'm thinking because it's some old fart living in the hills of Tenn...
Never wearing any pants...
Having to order wax because the stores only carry chewing tobacco, moonshine and chicken spurs...



J/K Rolex. As always, a top notch build.

 

[ratchet1974]

Nice...........real nice.

BTW, I stumbled onto this site. Talk about a cheap 45 knockoff - No metal, but hey, for the price, if someone wants to try to get in cheap, I'd be curious to give this a whirl:

http://hobbyking.com/hobbycity/stor...t_Name=HK-450_CCPM_3D_Electric_Helicopter_Kit

For $30, of you use the rest of the stuff from them, you could probably get into one pretty reasonable ? I'm sure it would not compare to a atop of the line t-rex, but for the price............

Their Lipos are also really good in price as well. I may pick up some turningy, or zippy lipos for my MX-450. ow some people that use them, and are very satisfied - They actually do a lot of 3-D flyin where I just fly around a bit.

Like I said, nice set up.

 

[Rolex]

LMAO, digger!



I'll get a few more pics up later, but I've also added a servo to the aux channel that acts as a cam each time the switch is turned on or off, and hits another switch inside the heli that changes the sequence of the strobe lights.
The steps got sanded and got their final coat of paint, and now ALL the windows have been tinted blue, including the cockpit side windows and the windshield.

All the mounting hardware is in and ready for the final installation of the machine inside the fuselage.

The final component I'm waiting for is a module that will adjust the speed of the landing gear servos for that really scale effect. When that's in I can button it all up and wax it.

I can't believe how many hours I have in this thing.

 

[hamz9561]

I'm thinking because it's some old fart living in the hills of Tenn...
Never wearing any pants...
Having to order wax because the stores only carry chewing tobacco, moonshine and chicken spurs...



J/K Rolex. As always, a top notch build.

And who finds his dinner in the middle of a busy street.......

 

[digger]

And who finds his dinner in the middle of a busy street.......

But I'm not eating gumbo.

I've also added a servo to the aux channel that acts as a cam each time the switch is turned on or off, and hits another switch inside the heli that changes the sequence of the strobe lights.

Got to get pics of that one. Let us know how it works.

 

[Lessen]

The final component I'm waiting for is a module that will adjust the speed of the landing gear servos for that really scale effect.

Oh, now THAT'S really cool!

*edit*

wait... Can't you just slow down the servo speed with the Tx? Sorry, kinda dumb to 6 and 7 channel heli radio's. I know I can slow down servo speeds on my 3pk so I thought you could do that on a nice heli radio too.

 

[Rolex]

I'm using a Spektrum DX-7, but I believe the speed can only be adjusted if they are digital servos. These are standard.

My final component just arrived today, and I have to say, for such a tiny little pricey part, it sure puts the 'cool' into the mix. I'm seriously impressed with the scale look of the retracts in action. It's adjustable from .7 seconds to 14.5 seconds. Right now I have them at about 4.5.
I'm about to dress up the landing gear legs to appear more like scale, and they will look better whether they're up or down.
I also got some precision thrust bearings today. Yowza! 16 bucks a pair, and I have 4 blades.
I have too many hours in this thing to take any shortcuts now.