Just discovered these at www.anbro.com from Leamington Model Centre.
They look OK from the Web and are supposed to fit most heli's. Quite interested in replacing that luverly Caliber 30 Canopy soon and was intigued. Does anyone have any experience of the fuselages and whether they are difficult to fit or too restrictive of cooling?

I'm currently building a Jet Ranger (Funkey) , I would'nt think cooling is that big of a issue.They can take some engineering to make them work on a airframe that is was not designed for but in most cases you can make it work.

Here is my Funky Long Ranger in the 46 size. These scale fuselages add quite a bit of weight and fly a lot different than the standard pod and boom helis. If you think you'll do aerobatics and 3D with them it isn't wise. Cooling isn't much of an issue and I have the bottom of the fuse cut out in the area under the engine. The extra weight is a problem though and will strain the engine.

I'm sure Paul will agree when he gets his finished, you take it easy with them considering all the hours of labor that goes into one.

Most 30 size machines are pretty limited on power anyway and the addition of a fuse really limits them. The 46 is just enough power in mine and most guys that build scale go with a 60 at least. My next one is going to be built on my X-Cell gasser this winter.


There are more picts in my gallery.

Scotty, Paul,

These look really nice jobs, credit to you. I note the cautionary phrases. Despite having been making scale planks for years, I think I'll wait a while and become more proficient and knowledgeable before progressing to scale fuselages.
Anyway, pleased to see that the Funkeys build well, and Leamington is just 40 minutes away from here, so I'll go take a look some time.
Thanks again

Interesting post. I was just today looking at the anbro site with a view to putting a fuselage on my spare Raptor 30 as practice for a full blown 60 sized project. Based on the weight/power issue that Scotty raised is this a bad idea? Should I consider a 46 as the minimum and get the Raptor upgrade parts?

Many thanks

Gary

Gary,

My Long Ranger is a TSK46 with an OS 46 engine in it. It is just a 30 size machine with a longer boom extension and pretty much the same size otherwise as a 30. The Funky 46 kit fits the Raptor just right from what I understand. I wouldn't hesitate to put in a 46 or 50 engine and you will really appreciate the extra power.

Even though it is thin fiberglass the fuse, paint, and accessories add a noticeable amount of weight. I have 2 other TSK 46s and it's like comparing sports cars to a 75 Caddy limo on performance. It flies heavy and sluggish. I had a few hard bouncy landing as it doesn't have the power in reserve coming down like most machines do.

Just out of curiosity I weighed the machines.

Standard TSK with OS 50 with governor and header tank.

7.9 lbs.

Long Ranger TSK with OS 46 header tank, nav lights and extra battery pack. Machine is real tail heavy with out the extra pack for the nav lights.

10 lbs.

So that's a 26% increase in weight. Quite a bit for a 30 size engine to haul around.

Hmmm.. more than interesting, quite a significant increase in weight.
I'm just off the Midland Helicopters to see what range they have and if there are any less buly. By the way, Sean has just replied to me of Leamington Helis, and recommended the Augusta 109 fuselage as the roomiest, and looks appropriate since it may allow retention of the tail boom supports. Looks quite bulky though.

The funkey fuslages are great quality and if you go for their pre painted versions you will not be disappointed with the paint quality. It is top notch. I recently purchased the 50 size agusta 109 and put TSK 46 mechanics into it.



Shawn