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Vintage RC Helicopters - Schlüter Heli-Baby
Schlüter Heli-Baby (1975)
The first Schlüter helicopters were scale models as it was considered that if you were going to fly one then it should actually look like a real one, however, these were seriously expensive and so only a limited number of people could afford to 'take the plunge'. They were also difficult to repair as any 'crash' would damage the body and thus require a time consuming repair to be carried out. In addition the manufacturing process was limited to how quick the fuselages could be made which meant there was always a long waiting list to supply the models. What was needed was something much simply that could be repaired easily and quickly with manufacturing production not dependent upon any single item. Having seen a number own designs examples with this 'minimalistic' approach he decide to pursue this direction. The concept was very similar to the UK MM Lark but instead of a single side frame, for greater rigidity the drive components were 'sandwiched' between two much thinner side frames which in fact was to prove the basic layout for all future pod and boom helicopters. Though a collective pitch system had been developed it was considered that the much easier fixed pitch system both for setting up and flying characteristics was more appropriate' it was also the cheapest option and pricing was a major consideration for increasing helicopter sales. The original design layout did not appeal to Dieter at the size required for the 'common' sixty engine because the long tail boom looked completely out of place and just 'wrong' when compared to its scale brethren. The model was therefore sized down to suit the popular '40' size engines and whilst the body size did not get significantly smaller the length of the tail boom reduced dramatically resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing look. Though it was not originally designed to look like a real helicopter a 'bubble' canopy gave it a resemblance to the Bell 47, which at that time was one of the most well know 'full size' helicopters. Accepting this and giving it basic 'cabin' layout provided the best of both worlds of a 'pod and boom' with a scale look. Whilst it could have been marketed as a Bell 47, the prototype had actually named itself by being known as "the little baby that looks really cute" (loose translation of the German original); thus the Heli-Baby was born.
Unfortunately problems caused by Schuco-Hegi pulling out of the partnership in 1973 meant that focus had to be maintained on the models already under production whilst Schlüter's new company was formed resulting in the release of the Heli-Baby being delayed until 1975. This decision did not harm sales and in fact it ensured that production capacity could meet the demand which is just as well as it proved to be very popular. The flying characteristics were relatively benign due in some respects to the fact that it was quite heavy for its engine size so it was not 'overpowered'. It has to be remember that Kavan had only recently introduced a gyro for tail rotor control and they were very expensive (more than the engine....) so it was generally flown without anything to dampen the tail swing when power was changed. Too much power and it would be like have a 'tiger by the tail' with the resultant loss of orientation followed by the crash. To aid the learning process a float set was an option and with these fitted the helicopter could 'slide around' on the ground whilst the pilot got used to the way the controls worked. This was an excellent way to begin and I remember that my first helicopter was a Heli-Baby with floats and I only damaged one pair of blades in learning to hover. However, and there nearly always is an 'however' for a totally new concept; the tail rotor drive was by pulley and round belt but when it got warm it would slip, especially if belt tension was not properly checked. Tail drive would be affected and the model would have to be landed quickly in order not to lose all directional control. 500 kits had already been despatched when this was found out so it was necessary to redesign for a flat belt which kept its tension better and to send out modification kits to all registered owners. The Heli-Baby had a 'vee' machined in the flywheel positioned between the fan and the clutch housing with the recommended starting procedure to use a round belt pulled tight in this 'vee' and then 'whipped' back. Worked most of the time but it was difficult to steady the belt and pull through whilst holding the head; unfortunately every so often the belt would slip and catch on the fan casing ripping it off.
Heli-Baby assembly manual - For original model and in German
build hints by Dave Nieman from Aug 76 RCM&E
Heli-baby build guide - Pictorial version. Schlüter Super Heli-Baby (1976)
The popularity of the Heli-Baby was such that only a year after its introduction, the collective pitch version was produced along with a conversion kit to upgrade the fixed pitch model. Helicopter radios had not even been considered at this point so it was necessary to provide a 'mechanical' form of mixing between the main and tail rotor pitch settings in order to 'emulate' the balance that a fixed pitch system had by default. As can be seen from the head photo below, collective control by a rod running in a sleeve up the main mast and moving a slider which incorporated mixing arms that were connected to both the flybar and each blade; thus collective control was 'superimposed' on the flybar cyclic movement (Hiller only). Cyclic control was therefore near enough the same as the fixed pitch Heli-baby but with the added ability of better circuit flying and no loss of revs when making an approach. The layout though lacked 'finesse' as it was basically an 'add on' but it did have balance.
Super Heli-Baby assembly manual - English version Super Heli-Baby assembly manual - German version Super Heli-Baby review - Magazine review concerning the collective pitch head from May 77 Radio Modeller Schlüter Heli-Baby Hughes 500 (1977)
Following on from the introduction of the Super Heli-Baby was an 'add on' fuselage of the Hughes 500D to give the model a scale look and thus the pod & boom model had come full circle back to a scale model. Schlüter Heli-Baby II (1979)
In 1979 the model was revised and called the Heli-Baby II / Super-Baby II. Not sure though of the changes to the fixed pitch models as the catalogue still used the same picture as that from 1976 (as noted above). The collective pitch version differed in the head layout as it now incorporated the head from the original Bell 222 giving a much tidier layout though still only retaining basic Hiller control. By 1980 the replacement for the Heli-Baby, the Mini-Boy, was under development and sales were dropping; probably in no small part due to the fact that it was expensive when compared to others 'learner' machines and for just a bit more the Heli-Boy could be bought. Schlüter sold the license (and tooling) to Garbo of Italy who without the overheads of development and new tooling could provide the machine at a much cheaper price and thus the Zenith came into being.
Schlüter New Heli-Baby (2007) In 2007 a replica of the original Heli-Baby was produced in a limited run. This proved to be a viable production proposition so was supplied on a wider basis; as an aside I bought one of these for my birthday present as the Heli-Baby had been my first ever RC helicopter. Checkout this site for the Heli-Baby especially as replica's are now being made (with support from Mr Schlüter himself). http://www.helibaby.de/en/index.htm New Heli-baby build guide - Pictorial version. Action Man New Heli-Baby build montage I believe that builder Rob has passed on his new Heli-Baby however for posterity here is his extremely well produced stills montage of Action Man building a new Heli-Baby with help (or is that hindrance) from Barbie. Action man Heli-Baby build - PDF file as I don't have a screen show active on the site
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