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Thread: Heli-Baby NT build w/floats

  1. #1
    Keyrigger
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    Heli-Baby NT build w/floats

    Hello all:

    Ever since the late 70's/early 80's, I have been waiting for the day that I could fly a model helicopter. I started back into this hobby almost 7 years ago and the only aspect of the hobby I was interested in was helicopters. I couldn't get the hang of it then and the lack of gyros, collective pitch, and help from anyone close, made it even harder so the two successful flights (one full tank hover and one forward flight) were quite an accomplishment. In those days, I had no idea that London, Ont. was the main hub of helicopter flying in Canada, or I would have been able to get the parts I needed to keep on going. Just a couple of days ago, I found out from another forum member, that the Schluter distributor was in London, sigh. As it was an important hub of helicopter activity, it played a large part in why London was chosen as the first location for the World Championship Helicopter meet. I dearly hated to let my original Heli-Baby go but I guess it was the path that I was chosen to follow.

    Spring forward 37 years and I now find myself owning a prototype Heli-Baby NT and one of the first production kits from the new manufacturer, Minicopter.de. When I picked it up in Niagara Falls, I was somewhat underwhelmed as the box was nothing more than plain cardboard. No labels, pictures, or even part number, just a boring box. Inside were the canopy halves, boom, pushrod, frame sides, cockpit floors, landing gear, blades, lots of peanuts, and a small but very heavy box which was taped in place at the bottom. I wanted to head home fast so I didn't bother to dig out the small box and found out later that it was the same box the mechanics of a Diabolo are packaged in. That's one compact package that even held the unbent tail skid wire (more on that in a later post). As I started the build, I was struck by how precise the parts are made and when assembling the main gear assembly, you are surprised by the fact that there is no adjustment for the gear mesh, period. They provide shims to fit the main shaft so you have no slop vertically but that is about it. The mesh is perfect and since only one gear ratio is made, there is no need for any adjustment in the future.

    The first group of pictures will get me through the upper chassis assembly and get me ready for the battery box and float struts next. I am now pondering the gluing of the canopy so I might be looking at that for the next few days as I don't want to muck it up Take care.

    Don
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    Last edited by Keyrigger; 05-05-2016 at 02:32 PM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member JBajkor's Avatar
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    Re: Heli-Baby NT build w/floats

    Very cool Don. Looking forward to see it fly.
    MAAC 12443
    Miracles are like magic. You will never see them if you don't believe.

  3. #3
    Keyrigger
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    Re: Heli-Baby NT build w/floats

    Thanks Joe:

    Here are the next group of pictures showing the lower frame and the struts for the floats. The prototype I own has a second set of holes that would put the landing gear in the original configuration drilled into the forward lower frame bracket. I used that as the pattern to turn (with help from the shop meister) the undrilled kit bracket into one that will take the struts in the original location. A matching set of holes were drilled and tapped in the struts so that it made for a very clean installation but one that will take a lot of patience to remove later without a lot of disassembly. Thanks again, Joe.

    Don
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  4. #4
    Keyrigger
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    Re: Heli-Baby NT build w/floats

    By now, I have got to the stage of putting the canopy floor and back in place. There is a second set of parts that are laser cut from plywood however, as I will be using this over and around water a great deal of time, I decided to stay with the CF parts. Unless I preserved the wood, the constant dampness would eventually swell and damage the ply so for this one, the CF parts will have to do. The arms for the servos are being left untouched until the final setup is done so that I can properly set the servo arm 90 degrees to the ground. Take care.

    Don
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  5. #5
    Keyrigger
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    Re: Heli-Baby NT build w/floats

    Next is the head and the boom. I have only seen machining this precise on a helicopter before with the sk-rotorkopft head that is on my MH-6 helicopter head. This is even more precise than that one. You put all bearings, spacers, collars, and thrust bearings on the spindle before sliding the grip over this assembly and attaching it to the collar. It makes for a very simple to inspect assembly that you can maker sure of its fit before getting the grips in place.

    The boom is not overlooked with the precision parts, either. The two bulkheads that hold the boom, need to be slightly spread to get them on the boom and once snugged down, they hold the boom as if it had been screwed into place. The pushrod guides are a work of art all on their own. They are made from Delrin with brass inserts installed to make for a very smooth pushrod fit. The only deviation from the manual was the installing of the vertical fin on the opposite side of the boom so that the pushrod would not be interfered with by the clamps that hold the fin. Tail rotor is next. Take care.

    Don
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  6. #6
    Senior Member JBajkor's Avatar
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    Re: Heli-Baby NT build w/floats

    Very nice Don. I like the DFC done with one arm rather than two. Should eliminate problems with ball links popping off or breaking: AKA - Align!

  7. #7
    Keyrigger
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    Re: Heli-Baby NT build w/floats

    Tonight, it is time for the tail rotor and some more of the general build. The tail is as nicely machined and fitted as the main rotor. This rotor system (main and tail) prove that when a manufacturer is willing to hire good machinists and equip them with top notch machines, beautifully fitted parts can be produced and still keep the price at a normal level rather than astronomical levels. I began to take pictures of the radio installation but almost off the start, I was missing a long extension cable for the second remote. The next day I had the cable but didn't get around to taking the picture of it until a little while ago. The main thing is the mounting of the remote and not what is behind it now. The next group will be of the ESC/motor installation coming up soon. Take care.

    Don
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  8. #8
    Senior Member JBajkor's Avatar
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    Re: Heli-Baby NT build w/floats

    Picture 4 of 8 shows the bottom of the tail support wire as a half loop. I remember the original having two distinct corners and a flat bottom. I'm disappointed to see this from someone who is so good with details! All else looks great.

  9. #9
    Keyrigger
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    Re: Heli-Baby NT build w/floats

    Yes, it is an issue that I am dealing with but found out I had failed to purchase the correct thickness of wire, sigh. I bought two pieces and they are just a tad thin for the job. It is a correction that has to be done to both my Heli-Baby's. See you soon.

    Don

  10. #10
    Keyrigger
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    Re: Heli-Baby NT build w/floats

    On my list of "To Do" items for today was the purchase of some wire that would do the job of the tail skid. Naturally, I needed enough for two as I have the prototype sitting with the same incorrect shape as well. I found some 4' 3/32" rod which was just the ticket. It bent up fairly easily and in do order, both were ready for installation. These needed to be longer than the original as it was fitted with smaller tail blades and grips. This setup is nearly 1 1/2' longer and should keep the tips of the blades free of the ground. Take care.

    Don
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