armycopter

Out of curiousity, does anyone know which electric heli is the biggest one out there? Do they even come close to some of the gas powered models? I've been in electric micro heli's for about 4 months but had never seen a gas version until last weekend. Some of them are quite large.

Thanks!
- Mark

PaveLow58

I'm going to offer up my best two guesses and provide some specs so you can confirm against other answers that might be provided. Of course "biggest" is an imprecise word. Rotor diameter? Height? Length? Weight? Total Body Volume?

Guess 1: The T-Rex 450XL (and Variants)
Main Rotor Diameter: 680 / 700 mm
Overall Length: 650 mm
Overall Height: 230mm
Tail Rotor Diameter: 150 mm
Weight (including power system): About 620-670g

35pcs precision bearing.
Use CNC high precise aluminum alloy linkage ball.
Great stable and sensitive mixing lever design suitable for precision 3D flight.
T-REX 450XL special adjustable pitch system, hold rotation system, tail rotor drive belt
Auto-Rotation System
Rear Tail Servo Mount
Collective Pitch System
Tail Rotor Drive Belt System
Main Drive Gear with Cooling Fan
35 Precision Bearings

Here's a link
http://www.trendtimes.com/t450xlrcheco.html

In order not to appear branded, I offer up...

Guess 2: Walkera Helicopter HM 039 (aka DragonFly 39)

Main Rotor Diameter: Approx. 675mm
Overall Length: Approx. 600mm
Overall Height: Approx. 230mm
Tail Rotor Diameter: Approx. 145mm
Weight (batteries included): Approx. 720g
Driven system: 380 brushless motor
Battery: Li-polymer battery 11.1V1500mAh

3D mode, alterable pitch system.
Flameout landing system.
380 brushless motor, and tail rotor blade driven by belt transmission system.
6-channel multifunctional transmitter.
Transmitter with 3D mode switch, PIT&PLT modulation knob.
Transmitter with mode lock switch to lock the adjusted parameter.
9 g servo, gyro outside

Here's a link:
http://www.walkera.com/en/pro_partic...mber=Z30390204

DebianDog

LOL WAY off. You can buy a 90 sized ION or Joker they are big

Ion specs
Overall Length 1346 mm
Overall Height 432 mm
Main Rotor Diameter Up to 1584 mm
Tail Rotor Diameter 262 mm
Blade Lengths Supported 680-710 mm
T/R Gear Ratio 4.66:1
Collective Pitch Range 25 Degrees
Total Weight
(weight can vary depending on blades, 9.7 lbs ready to fly (using 6000mah batteries)Ball Bearing Count 44 radial ball bearings 4 thrust bearings
1 sprag bearing


Here is Will flying an Ion a few weeks back (Ion is at the end)

-----

The BIGGEST one I have seen (on video)

The text in the video says:
20 min flight time
Weight 20.4 kg
Batteries: 14s6p
Engine: special Bittner HB 50-11
Mechanic: Zlatko Svarc
Rotordiameter: 3m
Owner: Bernd Lumpe

PaveLow58

That helps!

Here's the link to the manufacturer for Joker.

http://www.joker-usa.com/

and the product specs for the Joker 2.

http://www.joker-usa.com/joker2.htm

Fully Aerobatic Electrical Helicopter using 10-12 Lipo or 28-32 NiCd/NiMH cells.
Main rotor diameter: 1560 mm.
Tail rotor diameter: 290 mm.
Weight: Lipo: 4,5 – 5,0 kg (9,9 - 11,0 lb); NiCd: 5,2 – 5,5 kg (11,4 - 12,0 lb).
Flight time: Lipo: 8-20 min; NiCd: 5-8 min, NiMH; 6-12 min dependent on flight style.


Here's the link to the manufacturer for the Ion-X.

http://www.miniatureaircraftusa.com/...cts.asp?cat=72

DebianDog

If I could afford it I would love to have either of those machines.

Word on the street is Miniature Aircraft and Tiger Thunder are BOTH coming out with 50 sized electrics this spring.

PaveLow58

Well, you've given me something to shoot for in terms of a self-funding project that ends in acquiring one of these birds.

I'd like to be able to rig a fish-eye camera on an RC helicopter and fly it VFR. I thought I'd have to switch away from electric to do that.

Here's a question for you:

Have you ever seen a robotic helicopter track a model ILS (Instrument Landing System) glide slope and localizer down to a field?
Know anyone who is working on it?

Thanks for the info... this is turning into an addiction!


Edited Addition:

I just found this white paper.

http://www.laps.univ-mrs.fr/~ruffier...i_ICRA2004.pdf

AJ DRAGON

Hi

There is also this one from Century, I know its not quite as big as the one's you guys listed but it is still a decent size.

[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMAH5&P=ML]Century Swift 16[/link]

credence

My Feedback: (2)

Big electrics are about 4 times more expensive than their nitro counterparts, unfotutnately, but man, are they cool! . They sound way cooler than the ugly whine of a nitro engine. Almost sound like turbine engines.

Better get the credit card handy!
Heres a list of those I know about:

.30 size
Century Swift
Ikarus Eco8/16
Mikado Logo 10

.50 Size
Mikado Logo 14 and 20
Heinsleit MP-E (?)

.90
Joker 1 and 2.
X-cell IonX

There's probably more, these are just what I know of .

AirBearMA

My Feedback: (1)

One thing about flying "VFR" is that AMA insurance will not cover any type of flying of a plane or heli being controlled as a RPV. So if you choose to do so, make sure you have your own liability insurance.

stevo37

bigger is better for stability and handling as far as controlling the flight, but for performance and flight time when it comes to electric heli's the .30 size trex and walkera 39 heli's when fitted with brushless motors and high performance lipo battery packs do a better bang for your buck job. They can easily be fitted with mini camera packs and of coarse being electric they are a lot smother. the vibration of gas heli's requires larger more vibration tolerant cameras and special mounting brackets. $$$ If you have the buget yes go big electric but if you dont and want big then it has to be gas. one thing to remember is you can fly your trex safely at your local football oval when it's not being used by the local team

credence

My Feedback: (2)

Trex is not .30 size. It's probably closer to .15 size (or less).

T-rex is quite a bit smaller than a .30 size helicopter.

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

My TRex next to my Raptor as you can see its less than 1/2 the size of a Raptor 50 which is almost identical in size to a R30

credence

My Feedback: (2)

I dig that paintjob on your raptor barracuda. I've wanted to do a similar "warhawk" type theme on my birds aswell .

stevo37

Of coarse when everyone thinks TREX they think 450, which in its class is the bomb!! It is a great well thought out design and one of the best if not "the best" performing electric heli's on the market to date. Align has now produced a much larger version the "TREX 600" series and from what I have seen of this new model it is set to take the larger scale electric market by storm.

DebianDog

Not to argue there Steve but you have not seen the Roxxter fly huh? I have seen the Roxxter, Lepton, and Trex 600 all fly first hand and the Roxxter is pretty hot. Yes, I know the Szabo brothers did very well at XFC with the 600 but they are "The Szabo Brothers" they can fly anything