Scale Radio Control V-22 Osprey

I could not believe it when I first watched it. A scale model of the V-22 Osprey that is able to translate from vertical (helicopter) mode to horizontal (airplane)mode and back again.

Kit has been under development for 3 years working out the details of hover, conversion, and airplane flight

Licensed by Bell/Boeing. 35 inches (spinner to spinner). Model is easy to fly as a helicopter or an airplane. 1/18th scale.

Model easily converts in and out of airplane mode with no bad tendencies. Collective and cyclic pitch for precise control indoors and out, even in high wind. Electronic controller manages ship keeping it fully controllable for all conversion angles. Pitch, Yaw and Roll remain inline with body through entire conversion. 3 axis gyro stabilization. Can be flown with 7 channel model helicopter transmitter. Also, a user friendly PC Software interface makes programming and adjustments easy, using a standard USB-Cable.

Basic ship can be flown in a profile configuration to help with test flights and setup. Easy to add body covers to complete the scale look after all setup is complete. Precisely designed in CAD for reliability and maintainability. Precise scale model of CV-22 Osprey.

I have been looking at helicopter models, like the E-Flite Blade series (like the CX3 with the MD-520N Notor tailboom); for the past several weeks. Especially after discovering that most of my (technically former) WINGS Miniature Aircraft Society flying buddies were getting into them finally. (The technical part is I do not have the money right now to rejoin the club). Have to join the crowd I guess eventually.

I like the Blade series for the upgrade path that it offers. When I get tired of the MD-520N body, there is the Bell Jet Ranger, the UH-60 Blackhawk bodies that can be switched to. The UH-1 Huey is an upgrade path for the Blade CP, CP+, CP Pro, CP Pro2. The CP Pro series has the single rotor and a working tail rotor.

UPDATE (May 25, 2010): Well, I lost my internet connection in the middle of working on this post. Had to relocate to a wi-fi spot at Hastings to finish this. Basically, it was the reference link below that was unfinished.

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Ref. (http://www.rotormast.com/rm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=130).

Horizon Hobbies, E-Flite Blade CX-3 (http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLH2080).

The New AH-6 Littlebird

Being a collector of 1/6th scale action figures.  Century 21 Toys came out with their version of the AH-6 Littlebird helicopter back when they were in the toy business (supposely, they still are. But when it comes to the Ultimate Soldier line that they put out years ago - they are now MIA).  So, whenever I see something relating to the Littlebirds, I'll stop and take a look at it.

I was cruisng through the aviation tech sites today. Aside from what Bell helicopters has come up with for their HTR system.  Boeing is twecking their Littlebirds.  Basically adding 15 inches to the cabin to create the AH-6S(for stretch) in Boeing's bid to get the Army's ARH program.  Mockups shown at the Army Aviation Association of America show in Nashville, Tenn.

AW&ST has a little bit posted on their website by Bettina Chavanne who also took the photograph that went with it.

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Ref (http://aerospacedreams.blogspot.com/2009/05/bell-helicopters-hybrid-tandem-rotor.html ).

AW&ST (http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/photos/photopage.jsp?plckPhotoID=dcec84b4-3355-468e-8c02-aa635130373e&plckGalleryID=b1746a72-fce6-489c-9afe-50a1413a668b&plckGalleryID=b1746a72-fce6-489c-9afe-50a1413a668b ).