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Canopy finishing for this Caliber 30 model helicopter
Finishing the thermoplastic bodywork with decals and cutting out the required holes.
The helicopter's canopy is made from a white flexible thermoplastic. This requires the cutting of a few holes for mounting etc. and the application of some decals. This takes a fair bit of time to get a good result.
On this example I increased the size of the exhaust clearance hole to avoid it rubbing/melting. I also cut some material from the canopy where it gets a bit too near the rotor head control rods for my liking.
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There's no painting required on this helicopter canopy, the blacked out 'windows' are created with stick on decals.
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Below is the finished model helicopter, except for adding the stickers to the fin and horizontal tail (still haven't bothered yet!)
This machine uses a wand type attachment to start, this locates into the clutch bell from above and is spun in a standard electric starter.
The system works good but care has to be exercised to avoid a flying wand instead of a flying helicopter. The MDS 38 fired up easily first time.
As with any new model engine some running in is called for before anything much more than hovering in ground effect is advisable. To cut down on the risks for a new model and engine I fitted my old training undercarriage (long grp rods with four balls on the end), this gives a very stable platform to get the heli set up while running the engine for the first hour or so.
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The canopy was left off for the first flight session to allow plenty of cool air to pass over the engine as well as allowing me to keep a close check on all the parts which could drift loose.
After some intitial rich running with the model on terra firma the helicopter was refueled and the needle closed to a leaner setting (still rich though). On opening the throttle gradually the engine increased it's revs to the point where the model started getting light on the training undercarriage. This gave me chance to check the response to the controls and trim the tail and cyclic slightly before getting into the air. A bit more power and the model helicopter gently lifted off into a stable ground effect hover.
I ran through most of the tank hovering the model around in ground effect allowing the engine and helicopter components to further bed while also giving the model the opportunity to show up any loose bolts or other problems.
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Kyosho Caliber model helicopter introduction, page 1.
Kyosho Caliber model helicopter engine installation details, page 2.
Page 3 of the article showing radio control installation details etc.
The body work (canopy) of the RC Caliber heli - on page 4.
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