HIROBO Falcon
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Specification:
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Reports: |
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 Falcon review - mini review from Apr 1980 by RCM&E reader. |
 Hirobo Falcon Mk1 review - Build and flying review from Jul 1980 Radio Modeller |
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Hirobo 'trainer' helicopter following on from the introduction of the scale range and utilised the popular pod and boom 'metal' layout.
Hirobo Falcon (1977)
period photo's 
restored model
Designed for '40' size engines and was the first Hirobo 'Pod and boom' helicopter. Usual layout for the period with shaped pressed side frames and incorporating the Hirobo original head. Additionally, securing of the engine was achieved by folding of the aluminium frame plating to incorporate the mounting brackets which unfortunately proved prone to cracking. The collective pitch operation was achieved by raising the whole swashplate and linkage assembly with a pivoting arm. Whilst simple in execution it did have a drawback in that as the collective arm rotated to move the linkages up or down from the central position, it also moved them forward; because the servo's and their rod length's were fixed this was in effect the same action as putting in slight 'back' and right stick movements at the same time. Thus changes in collective pitch resulted in unwanted cyclic pitch interaction and due to the design of the rotor head also resulted in a 'pitch' change to the flybar paddles. This head was very stable but the movement of the flybar paddles made it very inefficient outside of a small range of setting around the Zero flybar paddle position. Pilots generally set this position to suit their flying style; for beginners it would have been at the 'hover' position so as to give good control whilst learning; for more advanced pilots it was changed to give zero paddle setting at the 'circuit' position so as to give good flight performance.
HGK 45 engine.
Although originally designed for 40 size engines, Hirobo had commissioned a specific helicopter engine, the HGK 45; this would directly replace a 'standard' 40 and thus could be used in the Falcon which if fitted gave it quite 'sparkling' performance.
Mk1 with optional head that came as standard on the Mk2.
In order to remove the 'unwanted' effect of the paddles moving with collective pitch 1978 saw the development of the Collective de-coupler rotor head and the conversion could be retro-fitted to the Falcon.
Hirobo General parts list - 1977 listing including the Falcon
UK advert
Three years after introduction before being positively advertised in the UK modelling press and by this time even the Mk2 had been replaced by the 505.
Bit of a 'dog' and ripe for restoration.
Mk1 and a Schlüter Gazelle