Vintage RC Helicopters - Schluter Heli-Baby

Schluter Heli-Baby Dieter Schluter

Heli-Baby (1975)

    1975 Catalogue   Parts view

The first Schluter 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.

The concept was very similar to the British MM Lark but instead of a single side frame, for greater rigidity the drive components were 'sandwiched' between two much thinner side frames and by 1974 the machine which was to prove the basic layout for all future pod and boom helicopters was ready for production.  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.  Additionally the original concept did not appeal at the size required for a sixty engine because the tail boom looked completely out of place when compared to its scale brethren.  The model was therefore sized down to suit the popular '40' size engines which resulted in a more aesthetically pleasing look.  Whilst it was not originally designed to look like a real helicopter it was decided to equip the model with a 'bubble' canopy and basic cockpit details thereby giving it a resemblance to the Bell 47, which at that time was one of the most well know 'full size' helicopters.  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 Heigi pulling out of the partnership in 1973 meant that focus had to be maintained on the models already under production whilst Schluter'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 gyro's were very expensive and not generally available so it was normally 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 the owners.

    Side view drawings low resolution and the other in high resolution.

                     Constructional photo's for the Heli-Baby manual

Heli-Baby assembly manual  -  For original model and in German.

Super Heli-Baby (1976)

   Construction views  1976 advert from the US.

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  -  German version.

Heli-Baby Hughes 500 (1977)

Following on from the introduction of the Super Heli-Baby was an 'add on' fuselage so as to give the model a scale look and thus the pod & boom model had come full circle back to a scale model.

Heli-Baby II (1979)

Catalogue picture 1979   Catalogue picture 1976

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 parts from the new Schluter 80 system giving a much tidier layout though still only retaining basic Hiller control.  Production continued until 1982 when it was superseded by the Mini-Boy.

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 was 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 Schluter 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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