R/C Model Helicopter Conversion

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Part 6 - Flight Trials

Part 7 - Assembly

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Email the Author - Ken Ryan

Mil Mi-24V Hind E Helicopter - R/C Model Conversion

Part 6 - Flight Trials

Having completed the electrics and bench tested everything the next stage is obviously to try flying the new heli.

I very crudely sellotaped the fuselage together, I had no intention of glueing anything until I was happy that everything worked. The main landing strut was bolted in position and as a precaution I sellotaped on training gear.

The rotor head was fitted and linkages made. The tail is slightly shorter than the Hummingbird and therefore I used the short, non-scale main and tail rotor blades, the extra power from the brushless motor I reasoned would provide sufficient lift. For the time being I fitted a head stiffener but ultimately I will fit the adjustable aluminium head.

I fitted the tail rotor gear and blade and adjusted the servo gain to mid position.

The tail motor is quite heavy and therefore I added some lead ballast to the front of the model.

I turned on the transmitter, plugged in the Li-Poly and listened for the arming beeps of the two ESC's

Gingerly I pushed forward the throttle stick wondering what was going to happen, first signs where good as the model lifted off, however I obviously needed to trim everything.

Once done I was in the air, to be honest I was gobsmacked, the Himax motor provides plenty of lift and I was surprised at the stability of the tail as this is my first time with a heading hold gyro.

After some further adjustment I can honestly say the model flies more stable than my Hummingbird so I am really pleased, I would imagine its down to the very high head speed.

Once I had stopped shaking - off came the training gear!!!! the skids work really well.

Now I can get on with building the model itself