1/24 scale Huey Gunship

[Madguns]

Hi All
I have posted these pics before on the runryder sight, and I thought I would share them on here for the RC Group crowd.
It a 1/24 monogram model with hummingbird mechanics/ Like 90 blades and a GWS tail motor. I think I need some ferrite rings as every now and again the main motor will cut out. Its got a Razor V2 and phoenix 10 controller.
Enjoy :eek:

[helifan]

what do i need to do this to my hummingbird, was it fairly easy to do? loks cool man !

[meatbomber]

this is outstanding ! :D

great idea using a plastic kit as a fuse !

[skyhawk]

Very cool!! :cool:

[WillowPtarmigan]

Cool. It is interesting that you turned a plastic model into a RC model. :cool: :D :) ;)

[WildCardNZ]

Great Minds think alike! - LOL!

Here's the one I did back in March/April this year...

Similar concept but different execution..

I put a set of my Piccornet hybrid C/P mechanics into an Ikarus UH-1 Body kit, and then 'borrowed' the weapons systems from my unbuilt 1/24 Revell kit. The other scale add-ons I did myself..

I got a few questions for ya, now that I have seen it done with the full plastic kit I might build mine as a flying model too..

What's the all-up flying weight? Mine is 310g, so I hate to think what yours weighs.. The plastic weapons systems alone are 36g!

What are you using for a power plant and batteries?

And where the hell have you hidden the battery pack? :)

Thanks in advance..

Oh and if anyone wants to have a look at some more pics of my UH-1 (and my other microheli warbirds) try www.jons.microhelis.com

Cheers,

Jon

[Madguns]

You have a really nice web sight my friend :)
I really like the links to the vietnam helicopter museum, I have never seen that before and was impressed. You can check out more pictures of my Huey at www.runryder.com You can look up Huey Gunship under the scale helicopters or the hummingbird helicopter threads. There is a guy in Japan that is doing plastic model conversions as well. His models are really nice. this is the link http://agusta.ms.u-tokyo.ac.jp/agus...no-plastic.html
I had to lighten my fusalage up considerably with a dremal sanding drum. I just ground away gobs and gobs of plastic from the inside. This is tedious but it was worth it in the end for the scale details you end up with. I use a RAZOR MICRO V-2 and a 3 cell Lipoly. The battery is mounted in mid cabin just aft of the pilots seats. Its also painted flat black :D All the guys at my work said that is was a nice looking model helicopter and they were completly blown away to see it pick up into a hover :D You have a nice looking fleet. My next project is likey going to be a 1/33 scale CH-53 super jolly green giant card model that I want to convert to R/C
You should register with www.runryder.com as well
Nice work. I wish we could fly some formation together :eek:

[WildCardNZ]

Thanks for the kinds words, and all the info there Madguns. I think I might just be forced to try it with my one too. Then I could go back to my original plan and fit out the Ikarus one as "Death Before Dishonor" a 1/9 Cav Slick that features on the VHPM site.

I haven't started building my Revell one yet, so now is a good time to start thinking about it :). With all the grinding out, what weight did you manage to get it down to (all up flying weight with batteries)? If you can let me know, it would give me a figure to shoot for - thanks.

Man I'm really impressed with yours.. I thought about R/Cing one quite a few times before I brought mine, and now you've given me the motivation to give it a bash - thanks!

Your's sure is a beauty, and yeah I can imagine the look on your workmates faces. Hell, I build and fly microhelis, and even I was gobsmacked when I saw your pics - absolutley brilliant!

Flying formation, now wouldn't that be a hoot! Get a boombox blaring out "Ride of the Valkyries" in the background, and we'd be set!!! Well you never know your luck. I'm an ex-pat Englishman, resident in New Zealand, so I promise that if I ever come home for a visit I'll bring the Huey(s) and look ya up :).

I'll have a look at your threads on RunRyder (I'm reg'd there too - same nick), and if I have any more questions I'll get back to ya with them.

EDIT: Damn! The important (last) part of the auguta url you gave got munged.. Would you mind re-posting it please as I'd love to have a look...

[Madguns]

Is the URL you are refering to the middle one? If so here it is again. I can tell that this guy has allot of patience and is very methodicle in his building technic? God I wish they had spell check on this thing :rolleyes:
Anywho here is the web sight link to this guys model helicopters turned RC.

http://agusta.ms.u-tokyo.ac.jp/agusta/rc-plamodel-helis/hino-plastic.html

Hope this works out. I am sorry but I never got the weight of my helicopter. I dont even have a scale. What I can tell you is that shaving every last scrap of plastic off the inside parts is absolutly essential to the success of your Huey. Even after the great pains I took this helicopter is a heavy weight. Without a brushless motor or LIPOLY batterys it will not fly! I used CA glue exclusively for the construction. I did not trim the inside of the nose sections. The reason for this was the fact that it builds into a very tailheavy machine. It also makes the Huey very "crash worthy" When I was building it I incorperated about 5 degrees of "forward cyclic" to off set the tail heavyness that I knew would be present. You should see the downwash this machine puts down because of the weight! :eek:
Some things I would try to lose additional weight if I were to build another one would be.....
1 Shave even more plastic from the inside of the fusalage from the main transmission aft
2 Make the horizontal stabalizer out of balsa or foam instead of the kits parts for additional weight savings
3 Make a windshield and windows out of clear mylar or lexan instead of using the kit parts.
4 Lighten the Rocketpods or make new pod bodies out of cardboard tube and lighten the rocket warhead section
5 Lighten the Crewmembers by grinding out there insides
6 Further lighten the Hummingbird Frame
7 One size bigger brushless motor
8 Maybe cut the bottom half of the tail boom off and glue in a hollow foam peice and paint?

My buddy made me an awesome video of my helicopter with rooling stones
paint it black ...You know the tour of duty theme song :D
Any idea of posting it on your websight?

[WildCardNZ]

The URL worked this time - thanks! Man that guy is methodical for sure!

No worries re the weight of the Huey, I'm guessing it is very heavy - maybe up around the 500g mark! I had a look at the 1/35 cobra url and he lists his flying weight at 350g with 340mah Kokams!

(By comparison, my 1:22 Ikarus Huey is 310g with 3x1200 ETECs).

I also weighed the bare (no details no glass) unassembled fuselage halves of the Revell 1:24 and they are 150g together unlightened. My Huey body is 110g completed, with details and the gyro, tail assembly with motor, and tail esc onboard, but no mechanics.

So yeah, you are not joking - lighten lighten lighten, and then lighten it some more!!!! :) No wonder it needs a Razor V2 plus to fly :). Still the final result certainly makes it all worth while for sure.

I might talk to friend of mine who is into vacuum forming. Maybe I could build up the two halves of the fuselage then make a 'negative' mould of them. Use the negative mould to cast a 'positive' mould, then vacuum form polycarb fuselage sides from that. It should cut a heap of weight out of it, while still keeping all the scale panel and rivet lines etc.

Re the video - yeah for sure!! How big is it? If you can get it to me, I can defintley get it hosted for you. Email it to me at jonw@microhelis.com - I own the domain, and I have no size restrictions on my mailbox there :).

[Madguns]

I have trying to get the video able to email but have been unsuccesful as of late. I will give a few more whacks and see what I come up with.
John

[Madguns]

Just messing around with resizing pictures
Still working on Video :rolleyes:

[WildCardNZ]

No worries Madguns. If there is anything I can do to help just holler...

Hey how big is it?

Just a thought, I could give you FTP access and you could upload it directly if you know how to FTP stuff.

Or if worst comes to the worst, I could snaill-mail ya a cd-rom disk to burn it onto and send back to me..

We shall overcome :). This video MUST be published :) :)

[WildCardNZ]

That pic looks most excellent :)

[Gfunk]

Beautiful man, just beautiful! I'm a sucker for the huey's.

[Madguns]

WildCardz
Whatever we do we must do it quick as I will be going away for a long long time. No Not prison but I am a helicopter gunner and I will let you all figure out the rest :rolleyes: Please PM me about that FPT stuff. I am sure that me and a buddy can figure that out. I will likely cut the video down with proper editing and what not.

[WildCardNZ]

PM sent Buddy. Let me know if ya don't get it...

[ashdec87]

When i saw the first picture i thought that was the REAL heli you were going to model after.

Nice work.

aazam

[Madguns]

Wildcardz
I downloaded an FTP program and tried to connect to your sight but I was unsuccesful. I would like to try again in the next few hours. Let me know what I am doing wrong. :eek:

[WildCardNZ]

Madguns,

I've sent you a couple of PMs with some things to try. I'm off to work now, but I'll check the forum and my site when I get spare time during the day..

Good Luck!

Jon

[ScaleBrad]

Thanks to Madguns, My huey model is flying!! Ready to fly weight is 480 grams. I didn't grind any plastic from inside.

[pitts]

Madguns, that huey is great!!!!!
It's amazing what you can get a plastic kit to do!!!!

WildCardNZ, love your Bell 47's, they are a work of art!!!!

I have been scratch building a Bell 412 for a couple of weeks now ( building process can be seen here http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=298201 )

Heres the most recent photo...

[electric jets]

awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wynal23]

nice work!!!!!
check this out as well... (im not associated with this website but i found it interesting).
http://www.tinycopter.com/

[ELGEE525]

The nice thing about scale heli's is that they only have to fly like their real counterparts. About all they really have to do is hover,fly forward and at the extreme,some gun runs followed up by by a steep pull out going into a hammerhead stall to make another run.Sooo-massive power isnt a requirement-but it might be nice for the big boys to be able to do sling loads !(Styrofoam cargo?)Or MABEY-a Huey smoke ship !
ElGee

[strick276]

you have inspired me to give this a try. Is there any way you can post some photos of the inside equipment setup?

[Madguns]

who me?

[ScaleBrad]

Hey Madguns, put my Huey "in" full throttle-- too windy and got 150 fet away, in front of the trees- had turned it around, tryed to get it back, hit the ground hard. Lots of pieces. Not as bad as when I stepped on it though!! I'll glue her back together when i get a chance. That olive drab is hard to see...I guess that's the point!!! One day I may build another, but yellow/red rescue paint so I can see it!!!

[WildCardNZ]

who me?

Heya Madguns! Great to have you back! How was the Tour?

The offer to host your video still stands if you're still interested :).

[WildCardNZ]

Madguns, that huey is great!!!!!

WildCardNZ, love your Bell 47's, they are a work of art!!!!



Thanks Pitts, but it ain't a patch on that 412 of yours - amazing!!!

[Tonystott]

SNIP
I have been scratch building a Bell 412 for a couple of weeks now ( building process can be seen here http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=298201 )

Heres the most recent photo...
Pitts, saw the full size on TV the other day, during the documentary of the 1998 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Gee, it was a good copy of yours! :D:D:D

[Madguns]

Heya Madguns! Great to have you back! How was the Tour?

The offer to host your video still stands if you're still interested :).

PM me with the specifics again.
I have a really good video of it. i am sure everyone will get a kick out of it. :D

[Madguns]

Heya Madguns! Great to have you back! How was the Tour?

The offer to host your video still stands if you're still interested :).

PM me with the specifics again.
I have a really good video of it. i am sure everyone will get a kick out of it. :D

[Pigs dont fly]

Hi Madguns your heli prompted me to go get a Revell 1/24 Huey to go on my hummer V2, Im still building it, should be flying next week. I had problems with the paddles hitting fore and aft and also the rotor head height being lower than it should be, so I made a new mainshaft an inch longer from an Eco 8 flybar. Im running brushed but its a 400 so hopefully all will be ok, I wanted to ask what rotor blades you have found to be the best? I will publish my build when I know it flys ok :)
Cheers!
E

[Madguns]

I prefer the Like 90 blades. They look scale and perform better than the hornet carbon FP blades. The dude at like 90 made a set for me in black so I wouldnt have to paint mine. Good guy :)

[Pigs dont fly]

Thanks Madguns lucky you with the Like90's, perhaps I will ask Colin too, for now I have purchased the Century long FP blades. As for my motor I've tried the brushed 400, not enough go in it for the weight, so I will be putting a brushless 400DH and CC25 in it ex my Zoom, just waiting on a replacement ESC before I do it.

[Lonestar]

Hey guys, great choppers....great! I am working on some more little bird pulls from a VC table. I am currently using a little bird setup, and have been reading the progress on both Hueys. For anyone else wanting to do a scale huey, I will be pulling fuse from the 1/24 model, along with the guns/pods etc. The weapon systems will be in two halves just like in the model. This will cut some weight for sure. I will post the results and some pics soon if anyone is interested.

[Pigs dont fly]

sounds good :)

[Madguns]

Lonestar
I am interested in a vacuformed Huey.
Please post some pics of the sides when you get the mold done.
I thought about doing this but have since got sidtracked by other projects. I was planning on glueing each fusalage side to a peice of 1/8 plywood to stiffen the mold and ensure that the VC sides matched up perfectly.

[Madguns]

Pigs dont fly
The 400 sounds really good. Be sure your tail motor is up to the task. With the increase weight and the increase in power available and torque you may experience lose of tail rotor authority in certian flight regimes.

[Pigs dont fly]

Hi there, thanks for the advise, Im running a GWS DD tail (IPS-1DXC), was thinking of getting a different one with a few more turns on it, as it was getting a little warmer than normal on the last flight it made. Just hope my CC35 turns up soon to go on my Zoom so I can swap the 400DH over to the Huey (I dont want to leave myself without a flying heli in the meantime, so work has stopped at the moment ;)).
Cheers
E

[ScaleBrad]

I just ordered some replacement parts to fix my last "unintentional" landing. I also ordered the Align heading lock gyro, which my little Huey REALLY needs. It's only $80, and lightweight too. And of course I had to get the micro-LED lighting system too. Should fly so much better with this gyro, I can get rid of that crappy revo mixing!!

[Pigs dont fly]

I just got some hi intensity LED's too (liberated from my sons lightstick thing (ssshh you didnt hear that, ok? :))) Hope painting them will dull them down a bit.
I dont have a hh gyro, but that Align one sure is good value, lol...revo madness :)

[Pigs dont fly]

BAH! Stuck the 400DH in but must have installed the CC25 too near the RX, glitch! eek! CC25 shuts off the motor if it misses a signal frame from the RX (RX is not a Berg) So the motor stops mid air, no autorotation unit on the FP V2 and heavy cogging, down it went (not enough height to recover), busted tail prop, and bent rotor shaft. :(
Oh the joys of helicoptering!
Rgds
E

[Madguns]

Try wrapping your controller and as much of the controller wire in alumium foil to sheild everything from RF. I had the same damn problem and on other forums this helped out. Post some pics I would like to see yours.

[Pigs dont fly]

http://static.rcgroups.com/gallery/data/500/35007PICT0003-med.JPG

Hi Madguns
Here it is as it stands today, main mast replaced, but a bit shorter than the old one so I have to redo some pushrods to fit, and no tail as its getting painted. The ESC's are all up front now :( I did have them back behind the motor, on a crossbar type platform before the glitch. I went about the build to try to have all components removeable and replaceable, plus the shell just floating on the landing gear to reduce crash impact. Ive had so many delays in this build its been unreal, but failing another test flight crash it should get its paint soon.
Cheers
E

[Madguns]

Looks good so far!
Cant wait to see how you paint yours. :D

[pitts]

Wow, thought I'd check on this thread cos I hadnt had any e-mail notification; Another two pages worth of posts!!!!!
The Huey's looking good Pigs...

[Pigs dont fly]

Im Still getting glitches, have swapped RX, braided all the wires and changed the subframe to ali tube from carbon, but I still cant get more than 15 feet away from the TX (aerial retracted) before the servos go nuts...aaaagggghhh! Im going get some of that automotive ali gauze (for body repair) and make a shroud for all the electrics (this should be better than foil as it can let the heat escape, plus I can paint it black to hide everything) Dunno why I wasnt getting hits with this motor esc etc when it was in my Zoom, wierd.
Rgds
E

[K2-tokyo]

Hi, Pigs dont fly

I and my friend Mr. Hino were bothered by electric noises.
So, please change the distance between tail motor wires
and the receiver (or antenna). Further try the installation of the ferrite
ring between the main controller and the receiver (Helihobby sells such rings).

[Pigs dont fly]

Thanks for the comments K2-tokyo I recon you are correct, I will try messing about with the tail power wires as I have not tried that yet. I have an internal aluminum boom, if I run the tail motor wires through it do you think that it will help shield the RF? Currently the RX is mounted on/next to the boom with the tail motor wires running along underneath it.

[Pigs dont fly]

I stuck the wires inside the boom it seems to have improved the glitches a bit thanks :) Well I got round to giving it some paint and trying a test fly..eek the tail wont hold its seems to be ok then goes to much gain, I need to set my revo up again I think. Anyway heres a new pic :)

http://static.rcgroups.com/gallery/data/500/35007PICT0068-med.JPG

[ScaleBrad]

Are you still using the stock tail motor? If so.. you'll find it will hold when you first start flying and then start to fade..I had to put in the Feigao tail motor, it's a bolt-in replacement but you'll also need another brushless speed control. I finally installed my Align heading lock gyro, and I have to tell you...it is AWESOME!!! I did away with the problematic revo-mix, and now my Huey flies SO much nicer..Also, you need to get rid of those stock blades and get a set of Like 90's...this may help your tail problem as the stockers torque the heli more than the 90's!!!

[Madguns]

Nice Work!
To bad we are spread to the 4 winds :(
It would be cool to get everyones Huey in a formation hover :)
How did you set up your feigo tail motor controller to your gyro?
If you could post a schematic in some simple "paint" program I would appreciate it. This is one of my protype test flights.

[meatbomber]

Guys with regards to blades (if you want to go for CP that is)

i'm flying a Piccolo Bell with a Hacker B20-36S and MAH CF-Blades (http://www.mahblades.com/) (the unsymetric ones) on a 3x1200 LiPo pack and i get a good 18mins of flying with those blades !
That is mostly hovering as i do a lot of sling loads :)

with the load attached the AUW is around 400g
http://members.aon.at/duckwing6/home/Bell/bellcargo2.gif

[ScaleBrad]

Madguns, just use the Phoenix 10 as you would a tail servo on a larger heli. Remember, I have 1 for the main motor and one for the tail. With the head lock gyro, you don't need a mixer board or any type of transmitter revo mix!!! Very easy setup!! Just dial in the gain around 50% The gyro will "mix" the tail in itself as the heli spools up and wants to turn. CAUTION!!! When you first connect everything, leave the tail rotor blade OFF!! There is a reverse switch on the gyro...mine was wrong and my tail fired up full speed and the heli did a 360 turn and wiped everything off my workbench!! I also had the main motor disconnected for safety. I ended up using a spare tail blade, and cut the blades off except for 1/4 inch so I could see if the tail was spinning the right direction. Also, when I connect power, I have to hold the rudder full left on the transmitter for a few seconds to let the speed control see "idle" It actually works as a safety...I connect power sitting on the pad...be sure not to move the heli AT ALL while the gyro calibrates...step away, full left rudder...beep....beep..beep....go fly!!! Here's my artwork, hope it helps, Brad...

[ScaleBrad]

Sorry it wont let me post a compressed BMP file??? Uncompressed it is too large!! Madguns PM me I can email it to you........UPDATE: LINKED TO MY SITE- SEE BELOW

[Pigs dont fly]

Hi there, you are right Brad, I got the heli flying round the gym tonight at our monthly heli night, after setting the revo back up on the lazy susan, the tail held much better, but as the battery faded at about 12 mins, the tail started to go due to the revo mix going out and the gyro not being able to cope. I will go brushless tail shortly, can I ask you which model Feigao you used.
HOWEVER the heli was a huge hit, (I stuck its windows in this afternoon) I was amazed to meet Len Mount (of all people) there, who came over to see my heli, I spent a long time chatting with him about helis and the stuff he did on the James Bond movies with his scale helis and all the turbine stuff he's running now. Also Rotorworld magazine were there and took a load of info and photos to stick in their magazine..made my night (trust me to meet Len Mount on its first proper flight test..I still cant believe it)..thanks for the inspiration Madguns!

[ScaleBrad]

Wow!! that is really cool you met Len Mount!!! Maybe you could have offered him a trade for one of those Apache fuselage's he makes!! :eek: Yep, these little Huey's are a big hit. My club had a fun fly and people were walking past those .60 size scalers to get a look at the little Huey!! The Feigo tail motor is a "direct" replacement for the direct drive brushed motor that was on the 2004 Dragonfly. I'm sorry I don't know the part number, but I think there is only one that fits. ... This is it here: http://www.allerc.com/product_info.php?cPath=7_57&products_id=1168

[ScaleBrad]

http://home.earthlink.net/~btm0106/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/hueytail4.jpg

[ScaleBrad]

Boy, that diagram almost looks professional!!!

[Pigs dont fly]

Thanks for the info Brad, last night really blew my mind, I cant wait to finish it now, the amount of jaw dropping going on was amazing, wow it was so good ! I had an endless procession of people comming over to take a look and saying how cool it was. The worst bit was flying it on its maiden flight, infront of Len Mount the press and the crowd ..eeek! I got it doing circuits and eights round the gym , olive drab is so hard to see though isnt it, they have a wood lattice at one end and the Huey almost vanished on me.
I will post some more pics soon, cant decide on which decal set at the moment ;)

[ScaleBrad]

Yes, be careful about getting to far off...It becomes almost impossible to see for me more than about 50 feet away...That's how I put her in last time, especially when it gets in front of trees!! My next one will be a collective pitch civilian version, so I can see it!!!

[darthdrk]

Im working on a 1/24 scale UH-1 huey body also. Its vac formed and so far there is only two in existance. So Far weight is under 40Grams. It will have plastic clear windows. A mold was made from the same bodies that you guys are using but much lighter and easier to work with. There is even rivet detail and panel lines.

[Pigs dont fly]

Nice mold darth, that fuse looks familiar :), I guess your the best person to ask soo...can you recommend anywhere on the net (or threads) that I can learn about making plugs, molds and vac forming etc, I like this scale stuff and fancy making some bodies for myself (big ones though), I guess epoxy and glass fiber is the best starting point, for minimal outlay. Cheers if you can help me

[darthdrk]

I found alot of info on the web about vac forming and mold making. I must admit that I learned the most by trial and error. I did also alot of looking over the shoulder of a person who started doing my vac forming for me. Things began to pick up and he couldnt handle the load. So I began to do my own forming. If you have a good plug, thats most of the battle. Locating plastic in some areas can be next to impossible. I have to order mine because its not stocked locally. There is a lot of mold making materials out there. everything from wood to aluminumized epoxy. Plaster and even cement can be used. whatever you use, it must be able to withstand 400 degrees heat at least (production mold). I have to admit, it started out as fun and interesting but now, its work and it is time consuming doing production runs. There is still some fun in it especially when doing something new.

[Pigs dont fly]

Cheers darth, thanks for the info.

Back to my revo mixed tail problem....Madguns you run a brushed tail dont you? Can I ask what happens with your CSM gyro, when the battery fades, does your tail still hold ok? (I would go brushless etc but I am trying to save for a Maxi Joker so money is a litttle tight right now)
Cheers

[Tonystott]

Darth, that is one cool fuse! I assume that is sized for the Hummingbird/DF class? Also, one question.. It seems to me that the ideal "split" for a fuse would be >across< the heli at the mast (approximately), so that the front could be removed for servicing etc. Presumably there are molding issues which might prevent this, but the fore and aft split seems to require a lot of fiddling to get the mechanics in and out, let alone the hassle of changing batteries.

Your thoughts?

[meatbomber]

I'd actually like a split line like it is, with a bit of overap so you can screw it together... i have that on my MS CH46 and you can hardly see the split line and it comes on and off VERY VERY easily with a couple of small screws.
Allways handy when you can remove a fuse easily for servicing...

[darthdrk]

you mean like this ?
Its a pretty simple operation. The fuse in the pic is for a Zoom/T-rex. Its also formed in halves like the Micro Huey body. I cut this one and had to glue in my own screw flanges which can be seen if you look close. It may slightly add a little more weight. Styrene is pretty easy to work with and glue. Plastic model cement works great.

[Madguns]

Hey guys
Nice Hueys! Pigs Dont Fly that is awesome about your Hueys debute :eek:
I am a helicopter gunner in the USAF, so as you can imagine it is a little difficult to impress some of my compadres. When I finished my Huey I brought it into work and left it on my desk. One by one some of my buddies role in there saying "nice model" you wanna see it fly Ha Ha Ha. Of course they we pretending like they were going to throw it, but I said yea it flys good. I would set on the floor and pull out the TX and immediatly pull it up to an eye level hover. Talk about jaw drop factor. That really made the project worth the pain. :D
Darthdark if you make one of those vacume formed 1/24 scale hueys a "P" model you can put me down for one. i would also be very interested in a UH1N twin huey.

[Pigs dont fly]

http://static.rcgroups.com/gallery/data/500/35007PICT0077-med.JPG

Did some more tonight :) I can remove the whole body with 3 screws and have a flying skeleton, I was wondering if I could make more bodies in the same mannor of mounting as this one, then I could just clip them on depending on what mood I was in :) kind of like a universal heli chassis for plastic kit bodies

[ScaleBrad]

Lookin good!!! I want my own Huey fleet too, I want to do some civilian fire rescue or police versions some day. I had some great flying saturday, here's some pictures: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=346326&page=6&pp=15

[Pigs dont fly]

Nice pics of your heli in flight m8, so you have an A10? I keep looking at it in the LHS, I wondered how it would go on lipos and two Feigao's in the pods.

[ScaleBrad]

My A-10 is stock with the 350 motors, 3-cell Lipo (don't use full throttle except to hand launch) Check it out here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=276927

[T.J. Kong]

Ok...I'm ready to start my project. But, I'm still learning about brushless motors. Madguns, are you happy with your Razor? What pinion are you using? What's the difference between the Razor H2 & Heli-V2? The specs seem rather similar. Also, which Hacker would be appropriate for this project: Hacker B20-22S (recommended by FXAeromodels for Hummingbird), Hacker B20-31S (recommended for Piccolo), or B20-36S? (I can't find the specs on the -36S). Is there a significant quality difference between the Razor and Hacker motors? I like the idea of being able to carry a sling load and the 18 min flight times. I assume you guys are using a TP 3s-1320 or similar. Thanks

http://www.lightflightrc.com/HTML/products/RZ-H2.htm
http://www.lightflightrc.com/HTML/products/RZ-Heli.htm

[Pigs dont fly]

Doh! I had a fire in the Huey today! Did a bag tie up to hard round my tail ESC, I didnt notice that I had cracked a FET. Theres me standing there Tx in hand wondering why my tail isnt working then notice smoke comming out the doors.. :eek: Not to bad, just killed the ESC nothing else.

Hey I bet your Huey doesnt do this :) Huey to Hummer in 60 Seconds !

http://static.rcgroups.com/gallery/data/500/35007PICT0084_copy-med.jpg

[Madguns]

T.J.
I think as long as you go with any .20 sized brushless you should be good to go. I use a 9 tooth pinion on my heli. If I were to build another of there I would recommend the EFlight Park 400 as a power source. Cheap and tons of power. Any of the motors you mentioned would work well. I think the difference between the V2 and the other razor is a longer drive shaft. Good luck. I think I may have to build another of these myself. :D
I was useing a 3 cell Lipoly as well. It fits perfectly in there.

[K2-tokyo]

Hi, T. J. Kong

The KV-values of Hacker motors B20-22S, -31S, -36S are
4091, 2900, 2450, respectively. And the tooth numbers of
the main gears of Piccolo, Hummingbird, Hornet are
100, 140, 170, resp.; though the gear module of Hornet
is of 64 pitch which is different from the ones 0.5 module of
Piccolo-Hummingbird. Further, the shaft diameters of
Razor motors are of 2.0mm which is not equal to 2.3mm
the standard diameter of B20-series. Though, Aircraft Japan

http://www.aircraft-japan.com/

or
http://aircraft-world.com/


sells B20S motors with 2.0mm shaft diameters.
Indeed you can find 0.5 module metal pinions with screws
for 2.0mm ; 8 tooth or more in Helihobby page and
7 tooth ~9 tooth as KYOSHO electric car parts (@12 car):

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGPF2&P=7

Usually, the main rotor rotation numbers for micro-helis
should be around 2000~3000. On the other hand the motor
speed at 11V (3 cell LiPo) without load is calculated as
11 times the KV-value. Of course, the loaded speed decreases
to 70~80% of the unloaded speed.

[T.J. Kong]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm finally getting my shopping list together. I've been wanting to do this since the first time I saw Madgun's Huey.

[Pigs dont fly]

Good Luck with your build T.J, you end up with an RC heli, that if it had been scratch built would have taken forever to replicate to such a scale level of detail and crispness. Photos really dont do these conversions any justice, in the flesh they are amazing.

[T.J. Kong]

Pigs-
I can only imagine. I love some of the detail on Madguns Huey, like the chipping paint. Now that I'm finally confident in my flying skills, I can't wait to get started.

Does anybody know a good source of pictures of Vietnam Hueys? Specifically the 1st Cav. A close friend of mine served as a ground pounder in the 7th of the 1st in '65-'66. So, I'd like to model something from this period. I've looked in a few books, but haven't found anything really comprehensive. I've also searched the internet and really haven't found anything worthwhile. Slightly off topic, but I have basically the same question about the AH-1W in current operation in Iraq/Afghanistan. As soon as somebody releases a good looking AH-1 fuselage for the TRex, I'm buying one. We can never thank the guys enough for what they are doing over there. (Thanks again Madguns) Besides, I have a somewhat personal connection to 9-11.

[Pigs dont fly]

Yeah Im at the flakey paint stage, Madguns can I ask you what you used as a 'wash' on your heli?, it looks like you have done one from the photos, Im about to start dry brushing the rivets with silver paint and weathering the heli :) the best bit!

[darthdrk]

I have in the plans the AH-1W Cobra. Actually Ive already started on it but Im having a slight issue with scale. Scale width is about 2 inches. Main gear is about 2 1/2 inches. The maingear will stick out of the sides of the fuselage.

[Pigs dont fly]

Hi darth I was looking at Mr Hino's website
http://agusta.ms.u-tokyo.ac.jp/agusta/rc-plamodel-helis/hino-plastic.html

Noticed his cobra:
http://agusta.ms.u-tokyo.ac.jp/agusta/rc-plamodel-helis/hi-s-cobra/hi-s-cobra02.JPG

If you look close you can see his main gear is running 'below' the shell :)
If the above linked pic is draggin the page speed down PM me and I'll kill it.

[T.J. Kong]

I’m thinking about starting out with a brushless tail on my Huey. I’ve read that most people are using the 4100kv on their Hummingbirds/Dragonfly’s. For this project, with the higher weight and torque, would it be more efficient to run a higher kv motor, i.e. 5300kv or so? (I decided on a JGF 400DH for the main motor)

[Pigs dont fly]

Dunno m8 think Brads is using the IPS replacement version, it could be a bit thirsty at 5300kv and a 4400 kv main. I guess your gonna have to be the test pilot :) I have the Hummingboard back in it doing the tail but its still a bit lame and needs brushless..only problem is I just blown £120 on a new shultze charger, so my tail will have to wait for a while. This hobby is so darned expensive for such tiny helis, most folk say 'How MUCH!' when I tell them how much it all costs. But its worth it, as my grin keeps getting bigger the more helis I fly.
I stuck my decals on last night, I still need to do a wash as they look a bit glossy anyways heres some more pics :)
http://static.rcgroups.com/gallery/data/500/35007PICT0090-med.JPG
http://www.rcgroups.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16936&size=big&sort=1&cat=500
http://static.rcgroups.com/gallery/data/500/35007PICT0092-med.JPG
http://www.rcgroups.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16937&size=big&sort=1&cat=500
Still got to do the lights too, oh yeah and stick the pilot in :)

[Minimole]

These look really good!!!

Sorry if its been mentioned before, but do the Monogram come with the guy that sits by the door? Its just I didnt see any on the Monogrm Huey page, but a few of you have them...
So these are kits right, not premade?

Thansk, Daune :D

[Pigs dont fly]

Hi there Duane, yeah they are just the same as plastic Airfix kits from the toyshop just a bit modified ;), the guy in the door is supposed to be the co-pilot sat at the front, but he makes a good screen to hide the internals and also allow airflow inside the heli, sat there. :)

[T.J. Kong]

Pigs-
Lookin' great. I like the nose art. My 400DH came in the mail the other day. Man, is that thing small! I can't believe guys are using those on their TRex's. My Huey should be here any day now.

I totally agree about the money, sometimes it's embarrassing. I've kind of maxed out recently as well. At least it keeps me out of the bars....well... maybe not.

I'm planning on using one of the new Medusa IPS motors. They have a 4000kv and 5300kv version. I'll do some more reading and when it's available, I'll make my decision.

[Minimole]

OK, thanks, so bascially, instead of having him sitting at the froint of the heli, at the controls, you have him stuck on the side of the heli? If so, kewl!

So you have to paint it e.t.c.? How do you all get the 'jaws' on the front? (mainly aimed at Madguns) Are they painted, or are they decals?

Thanks, Duane :D

[darthdrk]

Im doing a 1/24 scale Uh-1 Huey just like the one above but I may be using a stock 250 johnsons or I may go and get a small brushless motor. I Got the servos in yesterday, some Futaba 3108s which I also plan to use the same servos in my Zoom. Im not going with an actual 1/24 scale model kit but as most of you guys know, Im using a vac formed fuselage which was vac formed from the monogram model, which will save me alot of time and weight trimming. As soon as I can get some slow time, I will be getting back on this project. Gotta lot of brands in the fire at the moment. The weight of my fuselage less than 40 grams. Im hoping that my mainly stock aerohawk can haul this. Im also working on going seperates which will also add a little more weight. About the details, Panel lines and rivets are also visible on the body and Im using clear PETG for the windows which are molded also. Ill be looking into making some scale landing gear from brass and aluminum tubing.

[Pigs dont fly]

Hi darth, looking good, think your gonna have the most agile Huey at only 40grams. The legs I made were from brass and some old busted Hummingbird skids, just chop the original legs off and drill through the skids (2mm bit), slide the brass through and bend it over 90 deg. The bend wedges into the groove in the bottom of the skid and holds on nice and firm (and will push out on a hard landing reducing the impact a bit).

[darthdrk]

Ive been practicing bending some aluminum tubing. Hmmm, getting kinks and Im using a bender tool. I think I almost got the hang of it. bend a little at a time.

[desmo]

Darth,

try filling the tubing with sand or water, I know it's difficult on such a small scale but it will stop the kinks if you are using a bender.

[Pigs dont fly]

Hmm Ive been flying my heli about alot more, now that Ive stuck the guns and other remaining parts on my heli Im running into some heat issues. Time to grind it down inside properly I guess, as it was fine before the guns doors and pilot went on...whats best for this..cutting disc or sanding wheel? Is there anywhere on the heli anyone regrets grinding? Cheers :)

[darthdrk]

Been doing a little more work on my vac formed 1/24 scale fuselage. I used .020 plastic to form the body. Today I made the Left side door so that it can open and close. Just a note, Styrene is very easy to work with and it glues together with plastic model cement. The tailboom is really sturdy when the halves are glued together. Im sure it would be no problem handling the tail motor being mounted on the upper portion of the tailfin where its suppose to go. You will not even need the stock tailboom. I need to glue in a couple more clear windows as soon as I can locate my tube of goop :o . I will be glueing the halves together by glueing strips of plastic down one half and then glueing the opposite half to the other. So far so good.

[T.J. Kong]

That's really coming together nicely.

[Tonystott]

Darth, the body would take GWS Dragonfly mechanics wouldn't it? I love the look of it, and suspect that a full BL DF chassis would be nice, especially with a short Feigao 12mm tail motor up high.

[darthdrk]

It should take all the micro Heli mechanics with motor driven tailrotor. As with all scale birds, good electronics will work better. The dark line on the right side of fuse is where I plan to cut and make detachable for electronics access. Im gonna try my aerohawk mechanics which I dont see having a problem at all.