RCMW Jan 2011 - Flying Toys Ltd

Author: Tony van Geffen/Photos: Tony van Geffen
Festive Foamies
Having looked previously at some of the latest indoor helicopter models from Silverlit, we
continue with some last minute suggestions for New Year’s indoor flying
It seems that the constant flow of new indoor micro models is
never ending, and although a large number of R/C flyers prefer
something a bit more ‘meaty’ it has to be said that indoor
model flying is very popular this time of year, and is ever
growing. For this reason we will be taking a look at a couple more
new models from Silverlit this month that may appeal to younger
modellers, or those wishing to venture into the world of R/C
model flying who have a few quid left from their Christmas budget
and are just itching to spend it! So why not start here?
Heli-Racer and Air Bullet
We all love gadgets, and the Heli-Racer is just that; it’s a car and
helicopter combo. This really is one of the coolest remote control
gadgets around at the moment, and what youngsters love is an
R/C ‘toy’ with a bit of both worlds thrown in, so I’ll start with the
Heli-Racer car.
You may be familiar with the very popular Heli-Mission truck
from this manufacturer (as seen on the Gadget Show), well Heli-
Racer is a bit like that but is smaller and faster than the Heli-
Mission truck. It has the resemblance of Batman’s Bat Mobile;
this is a futuristic R/C car that has the advantage also of being
only half the weight of Heli-Mission, requires less space for indoor
operation, and is far more manoeuvrable!
The radio system used is infrared remote, and switcheable
between three bands (A, B and C) to allow more than one model
to be driven/flown together. The infrared control allows the car to
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Heli-Racer is a
car and heli
launch pad
be steered left and right, and driven forwards or backwards. A
large blue LED light is mounted on the front of the car as illumination,
and a Silverlit R/C micro heli fits inside on the launch deck. A
switch on the transmitter allows individual operation of either
vehicle independently, and by switching to the heli mode the two
side-mounted doors slide open on the car and the 3-channel Heli-
Racer helicopter is ready to go – just fly it away!
As a car it can be
driven around with
speed and steering
controls

The basic 2-channel transmitter has switches for model selection,
spotlight, modes, and three heli speeds as well as sub trim for yaw
or steering
Charging the Air Bullet from the transmitter
Top mounted speed switches for the Air Bullet
PRODUCT REVIEW
This micro helicopter is comparable to the type that we are all
familiar with now, and features a similar rotor head as others in
the Silverlit range and an independent proportional motor for the
tail rotor. The body shape is made of durable injection moulded
plastic that incorporates a red flashing LED power indicator and
bright blue LED searchlight for ‘indoor surveillance’. Take-off from
the car is quite simple; just open the throttle and watch it fly out,
but be ready for it to go forwards as the heli deck is tilted for that
and it may catch you out at times. Apart from that this heli is
super-stable and easy to fly in the smallest of spaces. The speed
of the little flyer can be adjusted with the third channel that provides
three modes of forward movement, combined with proportional
throttle for precise control, a strong feature of the Silverlit
range.
A lightweight LiPo flight battery built into the helicopter is capable
of providing flights of up to 10 minutes depending upon throttle
usage, and can be recharged directly from the transmitter in
less than half an hour.
Heli-Racer is supplied completely ready to run, after installing
four AA alkaline batteries in the car, and six in the transmitter.
The Heli-Racer 3-Channel Combo Set is available through
Silverlit stockists for around £49.99, while the Heli-Racer helicopter
is also available separately as the Air Bullet for around £29.99.
ABOVE/BELOW: Air Bullet flies indoors even in a lounge, and out in
calm weather
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Festive Foamies
Speedy Plus comes
complete with a
27 MHz transmitter
Speedy Plus
Apart from the plethora of micro helicopters Silverlit also have a
range of indoor R/C planes, and at 49 g span the Speedy Plus is
probably one of the larger models in the range. With a 450 mm
(18.25") span it takes on the appearance similar to that of a B-17
Flying Fortress with its four wing-mounted motors.
This is a tough, impact resistant, lightweight foam moulded
model operated by a basic 2-channel 27 MHz radio control transmitter
allowing steering and speed; steering this multi-motor
model is by differential thrust provided by driving one pair of
motors faster than the other, and combined with the proportional
throttle allows full three-dimensional control allowing it to be flown
indoors in a large sports hall or outdoors in calm conditions.
Equally suitable for beginners or experts alike, and being moulded
in foam, it is able to survive the occasional heavy landing!...
Speedy Plus is particularly impressive in flight for such a small
model, and sounds really good with all four engines running in
harmony. We found that it steered with the differential power quite
comfortably indoors, and by adding power made the turn smooth.
After a minimum of airtime we were flying in a large indoor area
with ease and climbs and turns were just a matter of familiarisation
of the controls. Landing can be a challenge as you have no
steering with the power off, so some brief and timely stick actions
of power and steering are required to keep it in line and on the
runway, but if you are outdoors then just line it up, reduce the
power and watch it settle to the ground. If it bounces about a bit
don’t worry – it’s foam! The Speedy Plus has an integral high
capacity 3.7 V 130 mAh 4.0 g LiPo battery that can be conveniently
charged direct from the transmitter in less than half an hour,
and allows flights lasting up to ten minutes.
Additionally included also in the attractive gift box are an informative
flight manual, four spare propellers and all you need to takeoff
within minutes of opening the carton, this does not include the
6 x 1.5 V AA batteries required for the transmitter.
The suggested retail price for Speedy Plus is £39.99, but you
may find it cheaper if you shop around.
The tiny motors control the turn by
differential control from the transmitter
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Silverlit products are distributed
through Flying Toys, and
available from many good high
street model shops and various
other stockists. RCMW
Situated underside is the On/Off switch and charge socket
Recharging from
the basic
2-channel
transmitter
Speedy Plus
suits a large hall
and would be
more suited to
outdoor calm
conditions
Contacts
Flying Toys
www.flyingtoys.com
01702 295110