Snow Melts Back East
Norman’s helicopters pose on a checkered tablecloth.
It’s raining today so I’m cowering indoors, but Norman McKinstry, our East Coast Correspondent, checked in recently to remind me that we’re sissies when we complain about California weather.
Regular readers will remember Norman, an inveterate flyer who who recently celebrated his 85th birthday in Amherst, New Hampshire.
Here’s his breezy email:
Hello friend. Today is first time this year: NO SNOW ON GROUND around here. Been a rough, long, cold, snowy one! I bought 3 indoor helicopters as outdoor flying was impossible.
The first photo shows the mini Blade mCX (1 oz.), MD-500 with 13-inch blades and Axe EZ, same size. All have contra-rotating systems & gyros.
The tiny one is my favorite and the most stable, easiest to fly I know!
An E-flite BAe Hawk next to a scratch-built SPEEDY.
EDF has also caught my fancy. The next picture shows an E-flite BAe Hawk in Brit markings with E-Flite motor/fan system especially made for it. A video is available at Horizon Hobby website & also on U-Tube.The other craft on the PVC launch pad is scratch-built SPEEDY, a 25-year-old plan from Model Aviation service. It is set up for prop now but was intended for an EDF unit, which I shall install after testing the design in the air. Both these weigh less than 3 lbs., which is near the thrust provided by the E-flite combo. The fan turns at 30,000 or 40,000 RPM, depending on use of 3 or 4 LiPos.
The plane in the foreground was built from 25-year-old plans.
The PVC launcher is necessary for the places where I wish to fly, as EDF has cheater holes in belly for sucking in lots of air and grass & dirt, etc. The next photo shows the belly.I shall use a Hi-start in conjunction with the launcher, bungee, etc. The last photo shows parts for this.
I have been tuning in your blog from time to time & following the doings Out West.
Hopefully, flying weather is here & I can report some results soon.
