Are you contemplating purchasing an X-Cell GASSER HELICOPTER GRAPHITE KIT MA1005-6? You will pay about $1,150.00 for this kit. Here are some things to consider:

1. The X-cell Gasser is parts intensive and cannot be assembled quickly. The instructions are very detailed and each step requires repetitive reading to understand and follow them. In some cases they are confusing, in others inaccurate and some instructions do not apply to the current model. The accuracy of the assembly and the use of locktite (a good thing in most cases) slows the assembly process even more.

2. The flywheel on the G-23 Zenoah engine will have to be removed and balanced. This requires the purchase of an expensive flywheel puller, borrowing or constructing one. It will also require the use of a balancer. Also the cooling fan will have to be balanced. It seems that Miniature Aircraft would do the balancing considering the price of the heli.

3. Lining up the flywheel on the engine with the clutch can be a problem. Although a spacer is provided and talcum powder is used on the drive pins, the proper gap is difficult to obtain. Once the gap is reached, a second person is needed to tighten the engine bolts while the engine is held in place. However, during your initial installment of the engine, you may fine that the engine's rear mounting holes have been poorly machined. They have not been cut high enough to tighten the engine once the flywheel reaches the proper gap between the clutch. This will require the removal of the engine's rear motor mount and the ignition coil and using a dremel to lengthen the mounting holes. It seems that Miniature Aircraft would correct this flaw considering the price of the heli.

4. Another problem is how the fuel tank was designed to mount. This is an extremely poor design. Two holes have been placed on the bottom of the plastic servo tray and two large wire tires have been provided for mounting the fuel tank. The wire ties were meant to be wrapped around the tank and inserted through the holes. This provides a very skimpy and unacceptable mounting base for the tank. It is the weakest gas tank mounting method that I have ever seen on a heli. (Inquire if you want to know how I solved this problem).

5. The fiberglass fan shroud is mounted in only three places in the front and the rear of the thin shroud is left to vibrate. Also a very skimpy fiberglass mounting plate is used to mount the fan shroud. You may find that the holes provided for the self-tapping mounting screws are too large and may not provide adequate anchorage for the screws, so shoe goop may have to be used on the screws or in the holes. Extra trimming on the fan shroud may also have to be done for proper fit and to facilitate spark plug removal and insertion.

6. The fan shroud, the front of the servo tray, the struts and the skids do not have predrilled mounting holes. You will have to drill them yourself. It seems Miniature Aircraft would drill the holes considering the price of the heli.

7. Although there are four monting holes on the gyro plate, yet there aren't any to bolt the plate to the gyro mounts. Thus shoe goop must be used to glue the plate to the mounts.

8. The canopy that comes with the X-cell Gasser was not designed originally to fit the Gasser and therefore a great portion of the its rear must be cut off in order for it to fit over the carburetor and muffler. Trimming the canopy takes much time and care to insure you do not crack it and the trimming does not leave the rounded edges and rear strength that is on the original canopy. If Miniature Aircraft is going to sell the Gasser, it should also design a canopy made specifially for it considering its price.

The X-Cell Gasser is an acceptable heli once it has been properly assembled; but considering all the work Miniature Aircraft has left undone in the kit, the price of the kit should be reduced accordingly.