John Stennard's colum for the indoor flyer - Flying Toys Ltd

In place on my FlightLine Chirp 

the DTRx35 functions perfectly 

Watts Under The Roof 


John Stennard’s colum for the indoor flyer 

At the time of writing a very 

dismal spell of weather has 

put paid to most outdoor 

flying and made indoor flying 

even more attractive. We are 

definitely going to consider how our club can 

arrange ‘emergency’ indoor flying sessions if 

the weather continues to be an issue. These 

days it’s easy to contact club members by 

email and if the weather forecast is dire, or 

we have had weeks of un-flyable conditions, 

it should be possible to arrange some indoor 

sessions. With indoor in mind I’m looking 

in detail at some new and interesting items 

that have just arrived, the DelTang range of 

DSM2 compatible receivers and the Silverlit 

Spy Cam camera equipped helicopter. 

Smaller and Smaller! 

The name DelTang might not be 

immediately recognised but I’m sure the 

name of David Theunissen will be. David is 

a very active and innovative electric model 

aircraft builder and I have seen some of 

his impressive models in action. DelTang 

is the name of David’s new micro receiver 

venture and I’ll let David comment on the 

origins of his exciting new lightweight DSM2 

compatible receivers. David says... 

‘I am branding them ‘DT’ receivers. David 

Theunissen = DT = Delta Tango = DelTang, 

this is the full evolution of the names. The 

receivers just started out as cool stuff I 

made for myself and friends but other 

modellers now want them. The designs and 

software are all mine and have evolved over 

about 30 different versions I have built and 

evaluated. The Rx 31-43 are targeted at 

models where adding any form of case or 

even heat-shrink would be an unnecessary 

weight. However, they can still be used in 

larger models and should have good range. 

This family has the auto-binding feature, 

as they are mostly too small for bind plugs. 

Rxs 22/71/72 are a more robust range. 

They are still light for their features but their 

PCB’s are thicker and they have heat-shrink 

covering. 

They have software that focuses on 

reducing latency. Rx 22 has been my main 

outdoor sport Rx for a couple of years and 

Rx 33-36 should be as good. All receivers 

have 7-channel data available on one pin, 

which Spektrum Rx’s don’t provide. Quite a 

few people are using them in quad copters. 

Rx 31 is great for palm-sized versions.’ 

The specifications and information about 

each receiver run to several pages and 

can be viewed and downloaded from 

the Internet. The whole range of David’s 

products can be seen on his Fly Electric! 

website (see Contacts), which also includes 

other items. Just the receivers can be 

viewed on the DelTang website (see 

Contacts) or on the Micron Radio Control 

website (see Contacts). David sells his 

receivers direct or they can be purchased 

from Andy at Micron Radio Control. 

I’m always interested in any model items 

of micro size and some of David’s receivers 

fit in this and in the ‘nano’ category. This 

opens up some interesting possibilities for 

www.qefimagazine.com 

53

Decid ed ly small, this 

DelTang DTRx35 has a 

7 - channel capab ility 

nano size models of the P lantraco size 

controlled via a Spektrum DSM2 T x. Ju st 

looking at a receiver does not tell you a lot, 

at the least you have to connect it up, b ind 

in this case, and b etter still put it in a plane 

and fly it! With this in mind I decided to test 

five of the receivers, two ‘nano’ two ‘micro’ 

and one slightly bigger ‘micro’ with standard 

‘full size’ connectors. 

O ne nano size is the DT R x4 1 , this weighs 

0 .28 g and is designed for one actuator 

and has an integral 2 A motor output. 

T he other nano is the DT R x3 2 and this 

weighs 0 .28 g and actually has a 7 - channel 

capability. I was going to use one output 

for rudder control using a F alcon F emto 

servo and the 2 A motor output for a geared 

coreless motor. T he DT R x3 3 weighs 0 .6 5 

g and has four sockets and a 7 - channel 

This w hole system w eighs 

j ust 4 g 

54 www.qefimagazine.com 

This is the 

DTRx33 and has 

connectors for 

Falcon serv os 

capab ility; different types of socket are 

availab le. T his R x has connectors for two 

F alcon F emto servos, these weigh j ust 0 .8 

g and I intended using the 2 A brushed 

output. T his set- up complete with a geared 

coreless motor weighs j ust 4 .1 g ready to 

fit in a model. The DTRx35 has Spektrum 

micro JS T sockets, weighs 0 .7 1 g and an 

immediate application was to use this R x 

to replace the heavier Spektrum 6 3 0 0 in 

my FliteLine Chirp. In this model the Rx is 

driving two T oki muscle- wire servos and a 3 

A E SC. T he last receiver was the DT R x3 6 

and this version weighs 0 .7 5 g and has 

standard size connectors. It is available with 

pins for 4 to 8 - channel and, like the other 

receivers, also has an inb uilt 2 A E SC for 

brushed motors. I will fit this Rx in my indoor 

R acer. 

The 0 . 8 g 

Femto serv o is 

v ery suitab le 

for this Rx 

The smallest of the lot, 

the DTRx4 2 and 4 1 next 

to a 5p coin 

A close- up of the DTRx35 

When I have these receivers all fitted 

in models and have flown them I’ll report 

back but my first impressions are extremely 

positive. 

T hese receivers from David T heunissen 

offer all modellers who operate DSM2 

transmitters an opportunity to explore a new 

range of high quality lightweight receivers. 

T he receivers will b e perfect for anyone 

who is already keen, or wants to explore, 

micro and nano size models in addition 

to enab ling models with equipment using 

standard connectors to reduce the AUW. 

T here are micro conventional servos with 

standard connectors availab le that weigh 

only 2.5 g. 

Check out the DelT ang receiver range, 

I’m sure you will be as impressed by the 

products and prices as I am. 

If you w ant a smaller 

and lighter Rx w ith 

stand ard connectors 

the DTRx36 is perfect

Spy Cam, Innovation at its Best 

T hrough a close liaison with David 

R awlins, the Managing Director of F lying 

T oys L td, I get to hear ab out all the latest 

products arriving from Silverlit. O ver the 

years Silverlit has developed some quite 

outstanding ‘flying toys’ and Q&EFI readers 

get to hear ab out these models often ‘ ahead 

of the rest’. Many of their products involve 

the very latest advances in technology and 

extremely complex aerodynamics. A look at 

a model like the V - Je t which is a comb ined 

aircraft/ helicopter with a tilting wing or 

the Space P hoenix which is controlled b y 

vanes in the down- thrust from the two lifting 

propellers shows j ust how advanced their 

research and development process is. 

Camera application ab ound and it seems 

that a camera function is now included 

in many devices. Models have b egun to 

appear on the marketplace with integral 

cameras b ut the Silverlit Spy Cam helicopter 

is certainly one of the smallest applications 

of camera technology in a model that I have 

seen. I am always excited ab out the new 

Silverlit products as they are interesting 

to test fly and often become regular 

performers when I am demonstrating to 

different age groups. Y ounger audiences 

can often relate to and see the fascination 

in controlling a flying object when these 

are within their financial reach. While they 

enjoy watching an Ultra Micro Extra 300 

performing extreme aerob atics this model 

is outside their purchasing power and skill 

level a Silverlit flying toy is much more of 

a practical proposition. Early experiences 

with flying toys can easily develop into 

an interest in aeromodelling as a fulfilling 

hob b y. 

A new product that definitely aroused my 

interest was the Silverlit Spy Cam helicopter 

and I was itching to examine and have a go 

with one. T he itching was relieved when the 

first production examples arrived in the UK 

and David kindly sent me one. So does it 

live up to the hype and expectations? R ead 

on. 

Spy Cam In Detail 

T he attractively packaged set includes 


A B O V E : The S ilv erlit S py Cam helicopter 

tak es another leap forw ard 

LE FT: S ilv erlit R& D gav e us the V - J et w ith 

tilting w ings 

FA R LE FT B E LO W : The Rx w ith Femto 

serv os b efore the pow er and motor lead s 

are �tted 

B E LO W : A nd now the ingenious S pace 

P hoenix 

the helicopter, the IR transmitter, spare 

tail props and replacement tool, a set 

of optional wheels, a U SB cab le and an 

instruction manual. A s usual the rear of 

the b ox includes lots of useful information. 

With the Spy Cam there are a number 

of practical things to test, firstly the flight 

performance, then the performance and 

quality of the video and still cameras and 

finally the download and display program 

that will b e loaded onto your P C/ L aptop. 

Looking firstly at the helicopter it is a 

very attractive coaxial design featuring a 

horizontal tail rotor to give pitch ( elevator) 

control. T he metal frame gives the 

helicopter a ‘quality’ look and all the parts 

are very well finished. The additional wheels 

are an interesting feature and if required 

these can be fitted onto projecting lugs on 

the skids. T he camera is situated in the 

nose and can b e manually positioned from 

horizontal to vertically downwards. 


55

A v ery neat IR Tx and the 

coaxial helicopter 

A lot of w hat you need to k now is there 

on the b ack of the pack aging 

The top of the Tx features the b uttons for 

the onb oard v id eo and camera 

The w ell- prov en horiz ontal tail rotor giv es 

excellent pitch control 


U nder the camera is a white L E D spotlight 

and this indicates when the video is 

operating or a shot has b een taken with the 

camera. A n on/ off switch and micro U SB 

connector is positioned under the rear of 

the fuselage. L ooking at the IR T x it is the 

standard type except for the two b uttons on 

the top which control the video and camera. 

T he yaw/ pitch stick has a cover plate and 

initially I left this in place. T his plate is a 

good idea for a novice pilot as it means that 

either yaw or pitch can b e used b ut not b oth 

M y hand giv es an id ea of j ust 

how small the S py Cam heli is 

together. B asically this means that forwards 

or b ackward movement has to b e stopped 

b efore the helicopter can b e rotated using 

the yaw control. T he 1 S 20 0 mA h L iP o 

helicopter flight battery can be charged via a 

lead from the T x or through the U SB lead to 

the P C/ L aptop. 

It is difficult to see how so much has 

b een packed into this relatively small, 4 8 g 

(1.7 oz) flying weight, co-axial helicopter. 

In addition to the physical parts of the 

helicopter internally there is everything

that is required to take and record digital 

photos and video. N o indication of how 

many photos or what length of video can 

b e taken is shown in the instruction b ooklet 

b ut this can b e estab lished. B asically when 

the spotlight LED is constantly flashing the 

memory is full. So if you record video or 

take photos until the light flashes, and then 

download them, this will tell you the time for 

video and numb er for photos. T he resolution 

can b e set via the software program for 

V G A at 6 4 0 x4 8 0 to Q V G A at 3 20 x24 0 via 

three settings. This will fix the number of 

photos or length of video that can b e taken. 

I found that at the highest resolution setting 

the video camera recorded 1 1 5 MB and 

ran for 3 .4 minutes. O n the same setting 

the photos averaged around 220 kb each 

so it’s possib le to take 5 0 0 + photos. V ideo 

and photos can b e comb ined. I’ll return 

to settings later as there are a numb er of 

possib ilities all done through the on screen 

application. 

Flight Time 

I decided to charge the flight battery 

LE FT: The 

camera 

proj ects 

forw ard s 

und er the 

nose 

RIG H T: The 

camera 

angle 

can b e 

manually 

tilted 

LE FT: The 

lens is in 

the centre 

of the red 

plastic 

ring 

RIG H T: 

Remov ing 

the cov er 

plates giv es 

experienced 

pilots more 

control 

via the Tx and test fly the Spy Cam 

helicopter b efore looking at the software. 

A s expected this showed that this helicopter 

is exceptionally stable and very easy to fly, 

j ust what you want from a camera carrying 

aircraft. T he yaw and pitch controls were 

very effective and the Spy Cam could be 

flown with precision. Removing the cover 

plate from the yaw/ pitch stick made the 

helicopter more manoeuvrab le and for an 

experienced pilot, it was more interesting to 

fly. Although designed for indoor use I did 

find that I could fly the Spy Cam helicopter 

outdoor in the right conditions. O b viously 

b right sunlight has to b e avoided and the 

helicopter kept close to the T x. T he test 

flights were very satisfying and convinced 

me that this is a well- designed helicopter 

particularly suited to photographic missions 

in addition to general fun flying. 

Software Time 

T he instruction manual deals with required 

downloads and these installed without any 

problems. When the Spy Cam helicopter 

is plugged into the PC via the USB lead 


its presence is immediately recognised 

and download requests are shown on 

the screen. When these are accepted the 

required program is installed and you are 

ready to change the camera settings, view 

any photos or videos you have taken and do 

lots of other things. In the future when the 

Spy Cam helicopter is connected to the PC 

the Silverlit program will b e displayed in ‘ My 

Computer’ for the appropriate USB socket. 

O nce this is accessed if the P hoto/ V ideo 

Download setting is clicked you are taken to 

the ‘Open Camera Folder’ and ‘Change the 

P hotos and V ideo Settings’ options. While 

the helicopter is plugged in the camera is 

active and the view is shown on the ‘ L ive 

V iew’ screen. If you wish to you can take a 

photo using an on screen b utton and this 

is useful to check the quality if you have 

changed any values. In addition to changing 

the resolution the colour b alance can b e set 

manually, the photo shutter action changed 

from single to multiple, the exposure 

values changed and the sound volume 

changed or muted. P hotos and video are 

saved in the helicopter circuitry and can 


57

The S py Cam helicopter is 

absolutely delightful to fly 

and v ery stab le 

A B O V E : A camera shot tak en in the gard en 

RIG H T: The control panel d ow nload s and functions perfectly 

b e viewed on a P C. O nce sent to the P C 

the photos/ video can then b e deleted from 

the 1 0 0 DCIM folder. If the folder is full they 

must b e cleared b efore more photos can 

b e taken. O b viously a certain amount of 

experimenting is required to get the b est 

from the system. 

Photo Reconnaissance 

With the resolution set at V G A I tried out 

a numb er of things like taking photos while 

the helicopter was plugged into the P C, 

taking still photos b oth indoors and outdoors 

and video and photos while flying in the 

school hall. T he camera system worked 

perfectly and I was ab le to transfer the video 

and photos to my P C. O nce in the P C b oth 

the videos and photos were checked out 

and modified/adjusted as required. I was 


impressed with the quality of b oth the video 

and photos and the ease of handling the 

system. 

T aking aerial photos is an attractive 

addition to any flying machine and Silverlit 

have done a brilliant job with the Spy Cam. 

V iewing and handling the resulting photos 

does require a P C/ L aptop b ut is unlikely 

to b e an issue in most households. T he 

software system is easy to handle and 

well planned. T he screen also includes a 

direct connection to the Silverlit website, 

Facebook and YouTube. So if you are into 

these you could be sending your Spy Cam 

videos and photos around the glob e! 

A very, very clever development from 

Silverlit and the Spy Cam deserves to be a 

b ig hit across a wide age range of pilots. 

Tail End 

I’m always interested in reader’s small 

indoor and outdoor electric projects. 

Information and photos are always 

welcome either directly to john@stennard. 

orangehome.co.uk or via the editor at 

T raplet. I am availab le for talks/ demos 

on indoor R / C within my 5 0 - mile range of 

B ristol and as the Western A rea E ducation 

Coordinator I am also happy to talk to 

school pupils and youth groups. Q & E F I 

Contacts 

F l y E l e c t r i c ! 

www.F lyE lectric.org.uk 

D e l T a n g 

www.DelT ang.co.uk 

M i c r o n R a d i o C o n t r o l 

www.micronradiocontrol.co.uk

John Stennard's colum for the indoor flyer - Flying Toys Ltd

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?