R/C Scale helis for Feda/ Piccolo, etc.

[MicroHeli-Nut]

When i was in a plastic model shop the other day, I say tons of miniature scale helis. And I was wondering how come no one tried to mod R/C helis to fit the already moulded plastic ones that were widely available and varied, not to mention light in some cases...... Then I begin to play with that idea in my head.

Here's what this fantastic modeller has done.

Feast your eyes, Loyn, Mike, Bon, Hornet, Ace, ..........

Between if you know where to look then smaller plastic models of this sort of size can cost at least below $20 ....... If you find the right plastic colour, you might not even need to worry about the soray painging costs: in Gundam, they have a technique like highlighting: using pen markers to draw line details onto the heli to bring out realism and depth..... [Heck One spray can isn't even pass $10 ]

If you notice carefully, his cobra's on a Feda head!

[MicroHeli-Nut]

I really think this is a direction those having owning micros can move forward into. Especially with the falling prices of micro FP parts ( e.g. Cupid spares ) .... No worries.

And if U're worried about crashing, you can always buy similar kits, cut them up into modules along the same lines and use those for modular spares....

Beautiful right?

[MicroHeli-Nut]

Oh, and 'Revell' kits are about as cheap as they get for the 'non-china made' kits (sorry Xiao-Ma !)

[Super-Hornet]

Hi MicroHeli-Nut

That day after our last Funfly, D.Yeo was driving me to Ang Mo kio, I already mention to D.Yeo that it could be possible of using those Plastic Model Helicopter for the whole body of our micro-heli.

A few days ago, I already purchase 1/35 size plastic model for UH-1C Huey for that project. I now in the process of getting all those necessary parts (like main body for main gear and the rotor head) to feed into the plastic model.

I do not want to dissambled my Dragonfly for this project so I going to purchase either barebone Dragonfly/Hummingbird to put inside but all shops running out of Dragonfly/Hummingbird. So I going to purchase individual parts instead for it.

I do not want to mention about this project till I completely make this project work but since u already mention on this forum, i then tell u that yeah... some of us (or me!... ) already have this in mind.

Super-Hornet

[loyn]

Well I have been in the plastic scale modelling since primary 3 till now. Have modify many kits for detail. So just my point of view.

I have never come to my mind of using them for micro EP heli. One major reason is the material used for plastic model is not suitable for RC flying. They are heavy, fragile, easily deform under heat (near the motor area) and costly (for a 1/32 scale). It may not be too feasible as all the hard work can be destroy in a single fly. At the same time, their weight will significantly reduce your flight time.

Well it may be fun just for the photo but will you try FF with the scale plastic body?

For my advise, it will be better to use the plastic scale body as the primary mould to vacuum form a body with thin poly plastic. It will be much lighter even you will lost some of the surface detail.

Just my 2 cents and Super- hornet good luck with your conversion. Hope to see your scale plasitic Huey in the air.

[HZM]

Yeah, that the same explanation ppl is giving at other forum but in terms of scale, plastic model is the nearest you can go. I do have a vacuum formed airwolf, just don have the time to finish it

Mike

[MicroHeli-Nut]

Loyn, I disagree. The 1/32 kits can be gotten at an affordable price. Like i said, you must know where to look. And it's not toys'arus or department store.


The motor area does not generate enough heat to melt the plastic without direct contact. U'll need something like soldering heat.

The point with Vac-formed bodies is that they are hard to set-up and require more effort. And it's harder to make modular.

[loyn]

So where to look........ please advise......thanks! Anything more than $30 is expensive as you are only using 2 to 3 parts from the kit (2 half of the body?) The rest will be history! So the cost of each part will be overall cost divided by no. of part used.

BTW, have you open up the box and look at those parts? Is the plastic body strong enough to take the impact from a light crash or hard landing? Sorry no experience with 1/32 large scale heli model as they are just too big as a static display. My aircraft models are usually in the 1/48 scale range. How is the available space enclosed by the body. Are there enough to house the micro heli?

Well not sure about the melting part but fyi I have experience model deform under the sun in a car (sorry not sure about the actual temp).

It will be fun if it really work out with a plastic body.....my first try will be the long bow hehehe if it is available cheap!

[MicroHeli-Nut]

But u'll wanna use heat sinks on your motor wat!
[skip this part if you hate theory]: When u leave thuings in your car, it's like putting your plastics in a hot oven. But in this case ur motor is in the heli and the outside of the body is in contact with normal air what.... Of course we try not to fly our plastic helis under the heat lar!.....


Haiz, I dun wanna explain already. I have no feda to prove my point.

Anyways, Good places will be Boat Quay. Go there on sunday monrings where there's flea markets for all sorts of toys and stuff, they sell un-used old toys and kits sometimes... Can bargain.

The kits dun necessary alway sneed to get from those stores. U can also try Hobby focus. Say you beginner looking for simple stuff..... Generally the higher prices are for better and thicker quality plastic and bigger scale models what...... And besides, it's only $20 or $30 ... Fit bought his lexan airwolf for $90!

[Brandon Chng]

be careful with any glue when working with the plastic...ruined alot of my canopies last time with it...

[D.Yeo]

That's beautiful stuff.pretty damn inspiring too. I do have a few misgivings though.

Like loyn said i do think using the model heli as a fibreglass plug will be the best way to go if we're looking for a serious, durable heli body shell.

The heat from the motors would be more than enough to deform the plastic over substantial use. Even lexan radio race car body shells can deform from motor heat.

The plastic is pretty weak, modelling poly is meant to easy to handle not strong.

And the weight could be an issue.

That said , the pictures are fantastic ! As flying show pieces they are awesome. And tha'ts the whole point of a serious scale heli anyway ! not good performance or durability !

And if the kits are goign to cost 30 or so, i think me and loyn will be quite happy to simply buy the kits for static pieces.30 bucks for a 1/32nd scale gunship sounds like it's got to be a trumpeter or some such but who's complaining anyhow haha.

Nice stuff ray.

[D.Yeo]

Hey ray :

In case i wasnt quite so clear the first post :

I'm very impressed with the $30 estimate on a 1/32nd scale heli model, have you seen an example of this already ?

"in Gundam, they have a technique like highlighting: using pen markers to draw line details onto the heli to bring out realism and depth..... "

Fine line details are usually done with a colour wash. Highlights and shading are quite different and in general simulate lightfall on the real thing, like lighter colours on the top of a monks ears, or the dark shadows on the undersides of a german panzer etc.

Highlights and shading on a heli this size is quite unnecessary some simple detailing, weathering and dry brushing would be all that's needed to get a fantastic finish so the paint job's even easier than you think ray !

getting quite excited seeing stuff like that in flight.Probably would go by the scale shops later and take a look see

[MicroHeli-Nut]

Prob i didn't comlpete my idea.... What i meant was that for those who find dry brushing even too expensive, they can get specific coloured hobby markers and mark out deeper panel lines....

[loyn]

Guys stop worry about the colour until u figure out how to get the plastic body onto your micro heli BTW only after talking to Ray yesterday then I understand there is a extensive modification on the heli chassis in order to fit it into the body.

So we are talking about removal of the tail stick and direct mount the tail motor onto the plastic body. Simplify chassis to reduce overall size. Finally a special landing gear too. Well it may not sound as simple as it looks. As you still have to get the heli balance at the end of the day Getting a perfect balance at stock condition is already difficult enough just think about getting it balance with a plastic body.

Anyway it will be more than just the look if you can get it done!

[Super-Hornet]

Hi Loyn

I'm aware of the intensive modication needed to be done. That is why I mention that I do not want to dissambled my Dragonfly just for that project. That is why I intended to purchase/build another Dragonfly/Hummingbird/Cupid main frame with Main rotor assembly just for it. The tail motor is mounted directly to the tail. At least u cut down the weight of tail boom.

Super-Hornet