Vintage RC Helicopters - Nova - Sagami

  Nova - Sagami

Hughes 250 (1976)

Designed by M Mizoroki, manufactured by Sagami and distributed by Nova in early 1976 for 25 size engines (specifically the OS25) incorporating 'flatbed' type mechanics and fixed pitch head with 'Hiller' control.  It used 'cans' instead of paddles on the flybar which was also a feature of some American designs from that period.  Additionally, the heatsink for cooling the engine was an integral part of the mechanics being a parallel platform above the engine mounting plates.  The mechanics substructure was mounted on a substantial 'balsa' keel to which was mounted the tail boom and the 'mock' front fuselage incorporating the radio gear.  The main shaft was fully ball raced with a fixed pitch head and teeter being achieved by connecting the main blades via fibreglass flexible plates.  Tail rotor was driven by a shaft running through the tail boom and the blades controlled by a pitch linkage operating through the output shaft.

Historic note; I spent quite a while researching this helicopter because in Europe it was know as the Sagami H250, in the US as the Nova Hughes 250 and tested in the UK as 'Anvilcopter'.  It wasn't until I had information from both continents that it became obvious these were all one and the same.

The second version of the helicopter included mechanical collective pitch achieved by using a mixing cradle to raise and lower the swashplate.  Coupled to this arrangement was a linkage which achieved mechanical 'Revo' mixing to the tail rotor thus changing the tail rotor pitch as collective was changed.  An essential feature for collective pitch control given that gyro's were large, very expensive and thus not normally fitted by the 'average' helicopter pilot.  A 'conversion' pack was also marketed that allowed an original fixed pitch models to be upgraded to collective pitch control.

The Hughes was relatively heavy due to the high 'metal' content and required very high nitro content in the fuel for the OS25 to achieve the necessary power for successful flight.  From research the Veco 19 could also be used but again needed high nitro to achieve the necessary power to do more than just 'bounce' in the hover.

Nova Hughes review  -  Construction and flying from June 1976

Below is a 'montage' of photo's I have picked up from various places on the web; very nice detail.

As noted above, the kit was marketed in the US by Nova R/C (Japan) and was supplied with pre-built main and tail rotors; in addition it could also be supplied with floats as well as the normal skid landing struts.

The collective version was also tested in the UK (under the name 'Anvilcopter') and from recollections of the tester it was supposed to have flown very well.  Unfortunately it was not considered viable for for the UK market at that time due to the very high purchase cost compared to the popular Micro Mold Lark, it also needed very high Nitro fuel which was not commonly used.

Nova - Sagami Hughes 250 parts  -  Exploded views plus parts list (Japanese)

Nova - Sagami Hughes 250 Build manual 01  -  Section 1 in Japanese

Nova - Sagami Hughes 250 Build manual 02  -  Section 2 in English

Lasse Olson

Modified 'Bug' version of a fixed pitch H250 see the Busybee web site for full details and more info regarding this Sagami helicopter.  Note that the 'lattice' legs and large balsa tail fin were a training aid of the day with the version manufactured by Du-Bro probably the basis for the conversion.  The legs acting like a 'hoop' set up and the fin emulated a 'heading hold' gyro when flown with a slight breeze.  The idea was that as your ability increased the fin size could be reduced until finally it was removed and the original landing gear refitted.  As you can see the owner liked the look so the third shot shows the helicopter properly converted and nicknamed the 'ANT' for obvious reasons.

Additional note on the company

Sagami as an electrical company also produced electric motors for model use especially 'can' brushed motors of various sizes for use in the early electric powered helicopters.

Top of Page        (VRHC - Vintage Radio controlled HeliCopters)