Christchurch and District Model Flying Club
 

Helix

By Martin Burr

I have been experimenting with indoor planes on and off for a little while, and my last effort was a depronised copy of a balsa biplane. It is called the “Hairy Gnome” this flew well, and is very aerobatic outside in calm conditions, indoors however, it was ok, but not manoeuvrable enough, or light enough to cope with the restricted space.

I remembered that Mike Seale has a range of indoor planes for sale, so I sent him an email asking about them. He said he did 3 types basically, slow, medium, and fast ! All are fully aerobatic,

I opted for slow……..

I picked the kit up from him at the Wimborne club’s indoor evening, and was treated to a fine display of rolling circles and prop hanging (and lots of unplanned landings too). Most of the chaps flying were using a similar type of plane.

For £15 you get some very accurate pre cut Depron, and a little pack of fittings. Mike then emailed me the assembly instructions. You need to supply some carbon rod, motor, esc, Rx, and servos to complete the build. It is a very easy plane to make, basically, you need a flat surface then the tailplane, wing and horizontal part of the fuz are glued together. Then, along the centreline there are pre-cut slots for the lower vertical part of the fuz to insert into these are glued together with UHU Por. Next, stiffness is provided by triangulating with lots of lengths of carbon rod. The instructions provide a cutting list, which make life easier, but it is very logical. To join the carbon rod to the depron Mike suggested using Gorilla glue, I have not used this before, but it is an amazing adhesive that cures with water.

I followed Mike’s recommendations for motor etc, and when finished, ready to crash, it weighs 153g, thats about 100g less than my last attempt!

Well, what does it fly like I hear you say…….

I had a brief opportunity to try it outside, it really needs absolutely FLAT calm, and it seemed great. So, on the night of the indoor flying comp, it had it’s maiden. The first flight was a bit frought, and during a bit of rather unplanned prop hanging, I lost orientation and landed a bit suddenly, damaging a wing tip. No problem to repair, with a bit of sellotape, then it was time for the comp (which was good fun).

 After the main event I had a bit more chance to try it out, and once in the air (more on that in a mo’) it was really good, I managed some rolls, a loop or two, and even some knife edge, with a bit of planned prop hanging thrown in. I am by no means an expert, but this plane flys SO slowly it gives you a chance to try.

 All in all an excellent plane, the only problem I had, was trying to get it to unstick from terra firma in the first place. I am not sure if it was my fault (finger trouble), or if the angle between the main landing gear and the tailskid is enough to get it flying initially, I will have to work on that,…..now for those rolling circles !!!!!!

If anyone is interested and wants more details please just ask.

back to Contents

[Home] [Chairman's Chatter] [Editorial] [Mustang] [Club Meetings] [Quiz Night] [Chinese Buddha] [Fournier] [Helix] [Cheaper 2.4gig] [Tiger Moth] [Diary of a Flier] [RC sailing] [Railways]