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Vintage RC Helicopters - Hirobo Gazelle
Hirobo Gazelle (1976) Hirobo's first RC helicopter and followed the trend at the time in that helicopters had to be 'scale' and utilised Hirobo's version of 'flatbed' mechanics.
Developed for '60' size engines with flatbed mechanics and was a very bold move in that it incorporated a Fenestrom fan unlike the Schlüter Gazelle of a few years earlier. First version utilised a head (as used on the later Falcon Mk1) that as the swashplate rose to impart collective movement to the main blades also resulted in a pitch change to the flybar paddles. This head was very stable but the movement of the flybar paddles made it very inefficient and so the 'collective de-coupler' (used on the Falcon mk2) could be fitted as an upgrade to ensure the flybar paddles stayed 'fixed' resulting in more positive cyclic control. This was only an interim measure as it proved in reality to not have any great effect so the head was subsequently redesigned with a 'proper' see-saw assembly so that a full length flybar could be used with much improved cyclic control.
Starting was by belt which hung over the flywheel and proved to be troublesome as it would catch in the flywheel cover and stop the engine from starting. Gazelle build manual - Flatbed mechanics. General parts list - 1977 listing including the Gazelle.
HIROBO GAZELLE WARNING
Here is what can go wrong due to ageing of the plastic blades; these blades were taken from my Gazelle after it 'threw' a tail blade whilst test running the engine. Luckily the engine was not running properly having been stood for a few years so it was on the test bench without its main blades; I hate to think what would have happened if it had been in flight !!!!!!!!!!! As you can see they have 'hardened' with age and another of the blades was obviously just about to fully let go and the others have cracks starting on both sides of the main spindles.
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