RC Helicopter History - 1975
January 75
First UK magazine review of the MM Lark from RCM&E Jan 1975
February 75
The Morley 2C (2C) Bell 47Gwas further modified for 1975 to have a 'flapping' rotor head.
First UK Advert for the Dub-Ro Shark; though a number of Dub-Ro machines had already been bought by UK modellers!!!
Nürnburg 1975.
Another good show with a number of new machines presented for the first time. Marketed by Graupner the HB manufactured Bell 47G showed a completely new direction in that the majority of the components were made from plastic and it was assembled like a big 'Airfix' kit. Kalt had their latest models (brought out in 1974) the Hughes 500 for flatbed mechanics and also their 'Flying Box' trainer fuselage; the idea being you learnt with the basic 'box' machine then transferred the mechanics into the Hughes shell when you progressed. Schlüter's Heli-Baby finally introduced a year later than Dieter had hoped but this delay had allowed him to ensure an adequate production capability, which was to be needed as it proved to be very popular. Also 433Mhz radio and the hope that the UK would be able to get this higher level frequency as the CB radio problem was slowly but surely getting worse.
WIK Helix Autogyro also on display Nürnburg 1975.
March 75
Magazine article.
As can be seen from the article there was an increasing impetus to improve the reactions of RC helicopters, no longer was it necessary to have ultra stable learning machines and many more pilots were beginning to push the boundaries in a search for aerobatic capability.
April 75
Sywell Expo 75.
In addition to the models shown at Nürnburg, Irvine engines displayed the new model from Kavan, the Alouette II; production delays resulted in a year from first showing in 1974 to actual availability. Good scale fidelity though U/C was to prove a bit 'flimsy' for use as a learner.
With RC helicopters becoming more popular the interest in autogyro's also showed a marked upturn with the Bob Brown designed DB Autogyro being the first UK full kit.
Advert for the Schlüter Gazelle.
The latest advert showed a marked change in direction for Schlüter with the standard fitment now the 'Expert' collective head and not the basic fixed pitch head. This change was brought about by the introduction of the Heli-Baby which provided a more suitable model for training and it was therefore considered that 'Tyro' pilots would now go for this model as their first helicopter. The more expensive scale models would only be purchased by experienced pilots in the future and they would expect collective pitch control as 'standard'.
May 75
First UK advert for the Graupner bell 47G.
June 75
No info for this month.
July 75
Model shops and adverts.
Geoff Thompson and his '40' powered Lark looping; first in UK???
Odiham July 1975.
Second year at RAF Odiham and an even better turnout (reputed to have been the largest gather of helicopters worldwide at that time) with still a handful of own designs showing that experimenting had not yet stopped. Check out the names in the positions and the usual suspects with a certain Len Mount making an appearance. Note that Geoff came last with the '40' powered Lark... not perhaps too unexpected as without a gyro it was reported to be somewhat of a 'beast' in hovering and slow manoeuvres.
AMA Nationals - no details held.
August 75
No info on this month.
September 75
Graupner Challenge Trophy.
Second Graupner event and held in Switzerland with two UK entries for Nigel Brackley with a Lark (the semi-scale model??) and William Patterson with a DS-22; the competition eventually being won by Mike Bosch from Germany with a Kavan JetRanger. Of interest is the reference to the Swiss made Alouette II produced in small quantities by Paul Mueller since 1973.
The first German helicopter championships was also held at Braunfels with the results being: 1st - Michael Bosch with a Kavan JetRanger / 2nd - Dieter Schlüter with Schlüter Gazelle / 3rd - Heinz Elsässer with Schlüter Gazelle. No pictures or other info currently held.
First look UK magazine on the Schlüter Heli-Baby.
Autogyro update - More general info on models and developments.
October 75
Graupner Bell 47G UK first look.
Schlüter Heli-Baby first UK review by Tony Bray from RCM&E.
November 75
Schlüter Heli-Baby review by Jack Barnard from UK magazine Radio modeller with that man Dave Nieman getting in the picture again.
Adverts
December 75
1975 Schlüter training stand.
Introduced in 1975
Graupner Bell 47G Kavan Alouette II Schlüter Heli-Baby
Dub-Ro Tristar (Scorpion / Hughes 500D / Enstrom F-28)
Overview 75
The Graupner Bell introduced an interesting construction method of all plastic components though the use of plastic was not to become 'common' for many more years. A change in direction was also occurring; the introduction of the 'Pod and Boom' format; noted in 1974 with the Lark and continuing this year with the Heli-Baby. The Lark layout of a single plate basic fuselage was to be the basis of other manufacturers basic 'training' machines however, the Heli-Baby's twin plate fuselage was to become the 'norm for the majority of helicopters excepting 'scale' applications.