Vintage RC Helicopters

Vintage RC Helicopters - GMP Gorham Model Products

GMP - Gorham Model Products

A large proportion of the RC helicopters available in the US in the 70's were predominantly large scale 'fuselage' type models which were very, very, expensive meaning that only a privilege few could afford them. In 1980, John was commissioned to make a RC helicopter for filming purposes; this was very successful and as he retained the rights to the tooling he produced a handful of kits which immediately sold. John used the Micro-Mold Lark as the basis for his design as he had discovered that a basic, uncomplicated, pod and boom helicopter could be made cheaply and was exactly what the US market was missing. Though helicopters had been produced in the USA before by Du-Bro, etc, John in the guise of GMP became the USA's first major player (i.e. international) in RC Helicopter production. For many years GMP were linked with Hirobo and development was a joint affair however, 'financial' difficulties were experienced between the two companies and they split forcing GMP to re-finance and tool up to cover 100% manufacture of their range. This was especially important regarding spares so as not to alienate the thousands of owners of helicopters already flying. Unfortunately GMP suddenly ceased trading whilst developing the Viper................

www.1017.org/cricket/ - An excellent site that more than does justice to the late John A Gorham and all the helicopters made by GMP. I have taken the liberty of reproducing a few of the excellent photographs from the site for illustration and note the links for coverage of each model.

1985 UK advert 1988 UK advert. 1988 Brochure

GMP Cricket (1980)

Pod and boom fixed pitch trainer based on the British micro-Mold Lark for 25 size engines. Initial heads were for single blade mounting to give an element of lead/lag however, this had to be set up correctly and was especially critical for correct blade CG otherwise vibration and unstable control occurred. To simplify matter the design was changed to a twin bolt configuration which locked the head and gave better handling.

Cricket information here - http://www.1017.org/cricket/cricket.html

Cricket review - 1988 review Courtesy Model Helicopter World - www.modelheliworld.com

Cricket build on niche Rotors web site.

GMP Hughes 300 1982)

Brought out in 1982 as a full scale model incorporating many Cricket parts.

Hughes 300 information here - http://www.1017.org/cricket/h300.html

GMP Competitor

Pod and boom aerobatic helicopter for 60 size engines fitted with the Pro head (no coning angle).

Competitor information here - http://www.1017.org/cricket/competitor.html

GMP Cobra

advert 1985

Pod and boom aerobatic helicopter for 40 to 50 size engines.

My GMP Cobra

Cobra information here - http://www.1017.org/cricket/cobra.html

Cobra review - 1988 review Courtesy Model Helicopter World - www.modelheliworld.com

GMP King Cobra

Development of the standard Cobra with the upgraded Pro-head (with no coning angle) and initial kits had natural aluminium side frames however, later model had black parts. Most pivot points were upgraded with bearings instead of the plain bushes of the standard Cobra and the engine mount was made to suit a sixty size engine. Tail boom and fins were the same as the competitor.

GMP JetRanger

Flybarless version (The Spy who Loved me).

GMP Legend

88 90

Introduced in 1988. Legend information here - http://www.1017.org/cricket/legend.html

Legend review - 1989 Review Courtesy Model Helicopter World - www.modelheliworld.com

Legend review update - 1989 Updated review Courtesy Model Helicopter World - www.modelheliworld.com

G-Bros JetRanger fuselage - 1989 article on fitting a JetRanger fuz - Courtesy Model Helicopter World - www.modelheliworld.com

Legend review - By Dave day

The legend was also supplied in flybarless version however reports of the day suggested that it was not altogether successful in the hands of less accomplished flyers. Comments from 20 years later though suggest otherwise however they were fitted with modern CF blades with correct CG and capable of rotation speed of 2000 rpm plus modern radios with exponential to 'calm' the centre position without compromising overall response. Thinking back to basic radios, woodies with poor CG and flexed such that only a brave man would have more that 1200-1300 head speed and you can see why control would be problematic. Reports of 'hairy' control when trying an Auto with pitch up or tuck under occurring and you can see why they did not really catch on.