RunRyder RC Helicopter Topic - Schluter Helistar

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Antiques or Out of Business > Schluter Helistar

SeismicCWave
Veteran
Location: Hilo, Hawaii

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Well, the Schluter Helistar was my first successfully flown RC helicopter back in 1986. Two three years ago I saw some one on here from New Jersey that was selling a brand new Helistar kit. I couldn't pass it up because I wanted to build another one just to hang it up and admire it.

So I did. I built it half way and had to go off island to work and just left the half built heli in a box.

Recently I had a bit of time on my hand so I took the heli back out and it was all rusty. So I took everything apart again. Painted what I could to stop the rust and polish up the rest of the aluminum parts. I finished building the wood parts and got them painted.

Finally tonight I installed all the servos and control linkages. So I can consider it substantially complete.

I did the canopy half white and left the other half clear. This is a show off piece for myself as much as a flying piece. I did build everything properly so it will fly and I do plan to fly it for a flight or two. After that I am just going to hang it and keep it as a memory of my first helicopter.

Once I get a bit of time and the lighting is good outside I will take a bunch of pictures. I do have to finish up the wooden main blades first.

Keep an eye on this space. I am going to post some pictures soon.

09-16-2009 08:38 AM

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SeismicCWave
Veteran
Location: Hilo, Hawaii

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Pictures

OK, as promised. Here are some pictures. I will take more when the sun comes out.

09-16-2009 09:02 PM

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Wobbly Goblin
Heliman
Location: Victorville, California. USA

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Very nice! *two thumbs up*

09-16-2009 09:37 PM

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Helizrule
Senior Heliman
Location: Lake Ariel, PA

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Nice job. I love to see vintage machines like new. These hover very very stable.

One mile of road will take you one mile. One mile of runway will take you anywhere in the world.

09-16-2009 09:52 PM

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SeismicCWave
Veteran
Location: Hilo, Hawaii

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Thank you very much.

09-16-2009 10:27 PM

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AltecLansing
Elite Veteran
Location: North Carolina

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Sweet looking!

Man, I miss the eighties.

09-16-2009 10:48 PM

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SeismicCWave
Veteran
Location: Hilo, Hawaii

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Thank you. I finally totally finished the helicopter and it is ready for test flights. I am actually getting nervous about this! It almost seems like I am flying for the first time. I love the rush.

09-19-2009 05:34 AM

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AltecLansing
Elite Veteran
Location: North Carolina

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What size and brand are those blades?

Man, I miss the eighties.

09-19-2009 05:41 AM

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SeismicCWave
Veteran
Location: Hilo, Hawaii

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>>What size and brand are those blades?<<

Those are SAB 600 blades from my Trex 600. I extended my Trex 600 to use 700 blades so I had a spare pair. I also finished the original woodies that came with the kit. I don't want to fly those and make them dirty. I plan to hang this helicopter up as a memorabilia as soon as get a couple of test flights under the belt. I want to at least say that it had flown.

I was not very confident with the Futaba 240 gyro I had original put in so I swapped it out for a CSM 720. It should fly fine now. I will swap the GY240 back in it after the flight so I can use the 720 some place else.

09-19-2009 06:55 AM

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SeismicCWave
Veteran
Location: Hilo, Hawaii

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So the sun was out. I have done everything I could on the HeliStar. There is nothing more to do except to fly it.

It flew fine. Pretty much like I remembered. The tail was the weak point. The wire drive was a bit on the springy side so the gyro gain has to be lowered. The long rudder pushrod is also on the springy side so gyro gain had to be further reduced. I was using a standard servo on the tail so that didn't help it a bit. Other wise the helicopter was a pretty good flying machine. The modern day helicopter got this beat hands down. We have come a long way in 20 some odd years in RC helicopter design. I really appreciate those pioneers that used to fly this helicopter in contests. Some even flown this without gyro. Talk about a hand full.

I have also realized why I have gone away from glow fuel and stuck with all electric and a gasser. Those pioneer RC helicopter pilots must have very smooth skin and excellent bow movement from all the castor oil they ingest and stuck on their skin.

I came back an oily sweaty mess!

Any way here are some pictures:

09-19-2009 11:10 PM

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AltecLansing
Elite Veteran
Location: North Carolina

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Sweet looking machine!

Man, I miss the eighties.

09-19-2009 11:12 PM

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SeismicCWave
Veteran
Location: Hilo, Hawaii

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Thank you!

Now it will hang on the ceiling of my workshop for me to stare at once in a while.

09-19-2009 11:22 PM

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tim tompkins
Veteran
Location: Boston, Georgia sw Ga. Thomas County

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Very original, right down to the hose clamp on the u-channel supporting the boom. I had one of the first ones in the country. Back when I ordered mine I had to wait for the shipment to arrive. I then upgraded my heli-boy to these specs. The head flew much better and was a big step up. The blade grips were much like modern ones. The heli-boy's were just straps of metal. Great memories! Thanks!
TimT

09-19-2009 11:35 PM

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SeismicCWave
Veteran
Location: Hilo, Hawaii

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Thank you, it was built from an original kit and I tried not to modify the helicopter as much as possible. I did replace a few of the control links and used ball links.

09-20-2009 04:01 AM

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mundo330
Heliman
Location: Holly Springs, GA, USA

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The Helistar a lost Love!

I too had a helistar, it was my second bird (a used SX81 was my first) but the first to be successfully flown. I went on to the Superior, one pod and boom and one in an Agusta 109 fuselage. A garbage can revival Mini-Boy and a Champion round out my Schluters. I installed the Helistar tail on the mini-boy with an Enya 50 and Competitor blades, it flew quite well. I gave it to my brother when I moved south and he still has it. He never flew it and is going to ship it to me so I can revive it. Good luck with the Heli-Star and thanks for the memories!
Doug S