rc heli scale

[brady1753]

Greetings to ALL!!
I'm very pleased to have access to this forum. I'm new to RC -- Heli or otherwise. I'm 42 years old and feel like a kid again. Recently purchased a simple 2 channel "bird". Lots of fun, but not close enough to the real thing to suit. Planning on purchasing (like later today) an Esky Honey Bee CP2. I'm already looking at possible extras...have learned alot from many sources...but have one perplexing unanswered question....how do you determine what size a given scale is (i.e. .30 , .40 scale, etc...) as in actual size of the machine? All replies appreciated!! Everyone fly safe...and stay safe!

[Aztek1701]

Hi Brady,

welcome.

Unfortunately, its not that easy to tell the size of a heli from the number quoted because it depends whether the model is electric or nitro powered and who manufactures it.

AS a ROUGH rule of thumb...

With nitro helis, the number refers to the size of the engine that the heli is designed to use in cu inches. IE a .30 heli uses a 0.30 Cu In engine and a .50 heli uses a 0.50 Cu in engine. With an electric heli, the number doesnt really tell you much but generally, the bigger the number the bigger the heli, IE, a t-rex 450 is runs about 450mm blades. A t-rex 600 runs 600mm blades.

The only good way to tell how physically big a heli is is to look at the size of the blades. If look at this, you'll generally see that .30 size helis run 550mm blades and the overall length of the heli will be about 1.2m with the blades unfolded, .50 size helis run 600mm blades and .60 and above run 650 and bigger. This is just a rule of thumb though because there are exceptions, such as the Hirobo sceadu where the .30 and .50 are EXACTLY the same size.

Hope this helps... Azzy

[geek70]

Hello Brady! I am in the same boat as you (except I got you beat by 7 years in the good direction. )

I have been wondering the same thing myself. Glad you asked it. I'm still waiting on mine to show up, but I went out and spent $30 on a Picoo Z at Radio Shack today and have been zooming from room to room with it. Lots of fun!

[brady1753]

To Azzy,
Thanks for the info, it at least gives me a good "rule of thumb" to work with, which is alot more than I knew before (which was NODDA'). At this point, everything helps! Nice to hear from you (especially from the UK, from what I'm gathering so far, RC seems to be very popular there as well). Thanks for your time to reply. Be safe!

To Geek,
Thanks for your reply! I've found myself quite "pre-disposed" with thoughts and interest in my new (yet long desired) hobby. I've already purchased a 2 channel "Sky Hawk" (and broken the tail rotor), but I've had a blast. Also just made a "huge jump" in "birds", just ordered an Esky Honey Bee CP2 with MANY upgrades today. Enjoy yours, and be safe!

[Aztek1701]

Hi again brady,

No problem, glad to help. Have fun with your machine

Take care.. Azzy

[geek70]

Looking forward to hearing from another new guys experiences Brady. Good Luck!

[uneverno]

Hey Brady -
I'm in the same boat you are but 5 years different in the wrong direction

Went to lhs for some other stuff and saw these cute little electric helicopters there. Always wanted to do it, but in the heart of silicon valley not willing to drive an 1 1/2 just to fly. 'Til those came along it's also been way outta my budget.
Did a little research online, and bought a bird the next day...

That was a month ago. I now have another one I spotted on ebay which was too good to pass up. This one's basically same as what I have only a little bigger and CP as opposed to FP. Needs some parts/upgrades and will be flying in a couple weeks.


Word of warning - this hobby is HIGHLY addictive , but dang if it isn't fun!!!

[geek70]

Mine came in today. Have been playing with the sim all night. Man it's alot harder than I expected.