Vintage RC Helicopters - Morley Helicopters

 MORLEY Helicopters Jim Morley

Jim Morley

In 1973 the first UK helicopter competition sponsored by RCM&E and held at Sywell was won by Jim’s first model helicopter a Bell 47G.  A subsequent article in RCM&E later that year led to worldwide enquiries and the start of business activities in this field; initially with the sale of components as it was to be many years before Jim finally decided to go to manufacturing of complete kits.

Morley Helicopters (MH) was formed in 1982 in preparation for distributing complete kits beginning with the Hughes 300.  Located initially in Bath then later in larger premises in Melksham and finally into premises in Fairoaks where the last of the Range (model F1) was developed.  One of Jim's most interesting projects was the model of the Fairey Rotodyne; unfortunately (like the real one) there was only one produced.

Quick UK had been manufacturing upgrades for Morley helicopters and various other manufacturers models so when Jim Morley decided to 'retire' they took over control of MH.  They did not continue with the scale helicopters but marketed the Maverick and F1 Carbon plus their own variants of the F1 utilising Quick UK upgrades called the F1 Carbon "MAX".  These models were the last MH designs to be produced after which Quick UK withdrew from production of both helicopters and spares supply. 

Morley Timeline

In Dec 78 Jim started a regular bimonthly helicopter column in the UK magazine RCM&E.

1981 and OD three blade head from John Barrow on a 50 Baron using Morley Blade assemblies

Late 1983 Morley Mk3 rotor head with Bell-Hiller mixing.

Morley Rotor head Mixer Kit Instructions - Kit produced to increase head response on the basic Mk3 head.

Jan 1984 general update making comment on the three blade head plus upcoming availability of a Lynx ???

  Feb 1984 and a letter from Jim with news that was at the time a 'secret'; the development of the M.A.D. with Jim's note of 'staggering' performance.  Unfortunately its introduction was to be delayed until 1986 and came out as the MXA.  

Early 1984 saw the introduction of the three blade head for the Hughes 300 to give greater scale fidelity.

Early 1984 Agusta 109 prototype with four blade head.

 87        89    90 

Advert from the late 1980's showing the available Morley Helicopters range plus colour brochure's. 

Morley Parts list 1988 - Morley Parts List 1990 - Morley Parts list 1992 - general lists showing availability of both kits and parts plus accessories.

1997 Summer Catalogue  -  General details including spares and tools.

    Jim Morley

Line up of Morley Helicopters at 2008 MK fly-in (A thunder tiger sneaked in whilst no-one was looking....).

Morley Twins

A most interesting 'home build' incorporating what looks like two Mk3 heads with the mixer arms, late eighties maybe?

Again by the same designer flyer a further development of the twin theme this time using Maverick mechanics.  Deceptively small looking from the photo's except when stood up next to the designer/flyer.  Photo quality and the receding hair (which happens to us all....) indicate that these could be fairly recent however, would very much like more if anybody knows this designer. 

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