Vintage RC Helicopters - RC helicopters 1974
RC Helicopter History - 1974
January 74
Selection of RC model shops from UK
magazine.
February 74
Nürnberg 1974.
Not particularly good coverage though confirmation that Dieter Schlüter after splitting with Schuco-Hegi had started his own manufacturing concern 'Schlüter Modellbau' and the first 'new' release will be the semi-scale SA 341 Gazelle; basically a modified DS-22 fuselage and was available with the new collective pitch head as a purchase alternative. Kavan bring out the first commercially available RC helicopter gyro and present the prototype Alouette II (production later in the year). Also a new name 'Rowan' brings out a Bolkow Bo105 though it looks identical to the WIK model which it should as Rowan & Klinger are the new distributors for WIK; a detail missed in the report.
Toledo 1974.
Toledo show USA and mainly aeroplane coverage but noted is the new model from Dub-Ro called the Shark and a home build model by Dave Keats called the Polecat which particularly impressed John Burkam. Also the Kavan Alouette II was displayed in a pre-production form without radio equipment and full internal fittings; to be available later in the year. Note that Nürnburg and Toledo both indicate the Alouette for small engine size (15-19)???
April 74
Sywell and another good year for helicopters with the Morley 2C now revised for easier production as a 'basic' part kit and also for greater scale fidelity. Also another first; a RC helicopter controlled from a full size whilst both are in flight.
First public display of the soon to be released UK RC helicopter by Micro-Mold called the Lark.
May 74
general proposal put forward to run competition along the lines of the German rules thus providing a proven format and also ensuring that any US competitor entering in European competitions would not be at a disadvantage. Additionally Walt Scoonard had volunteered to direct the forthcoming Nationals using the rules of the recent Tangerine International RC helicopter championships.
Date and info for the Tangerine contest not available other than the two photo's above.
FAI record for distance set in the USA; full date and details not known.
Advertised for sale in UK from Kavan is the first commercially available gyro for a RC helicopter.
June 74
Solarbo getting in on the helicopter scene by advertising that wood is NOT really used in helicopters; bit of reverse psychology.
July 74
Another month for world record attempts firstly on land for duration and distance and then a channel crossing from England to France to celebrate Louis Bleriot's crossing from France to England in 1904. All undertaken with a Graupner Bell 212 flown by Dieter Zeigler from the open door of a full size helicopter. Shame the landing in France didn't quite work out too well but there is a saying "flying is easy, its the last six inches in landing that's difficult".
AMA Nationals in Lake Charles USA used the provisional rules developed by the newly formed AMA RCH Advisory Committee of which Horace Hagen was a member and he also came first in the Novice Class and third in the Scale Class.
August 74
Winner
Second
competitor with Dub-Ro Hughes.
First year in the UK Nationals and the reporter seemed to be somewhat bias against it, though the crowds appeared to have other ideas; shows how backward the UK press was regarding helicopters as many other countries, the USA for one holding their THIRD national competition this year.
Polecat - Finally after a long wait and a failed commercial venture? Dave Keats OD home-build is presented as a plan in the US magazine RC Modeler.
First UK report on the availability of the new Schlüter
SA 341 Gazelle.
Micro Mold
Lark.
Flown in the Nationals to a lot of interest and finally about to become available as noted by the advert in August issue magazines which would have been out a few weeks before the Nationals took place.
September 74
First year for a UK fly-in at RAF Odiham and a good selection of models, mainly kits but looks like there could be a couple of OD's in there. Peter Valentines 0.49 Cox variation of the Mayfly and Dave Nieman's name crops up again.
November 74
Not quite the same as across the channel.
First advert for
Morley 2C components and plan.
December 74
Noise regulations finally to be enforced in the world championships with
subsequent knock-on effect to modelling around the world.
USA National Model Airplane Championships (Date TBC)
Kavan JetRanger took 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.
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