Welcome to Jason Chan's Radio Controlled Helicopters Pages

Click the mailbox above to send an e-mail to Jason Chan

05/2000 Shizuoka Hobby Fair

The Shizuoka Hobby Fair is one of the two bi-annual hobby trade fair in Japan. This fair previews the latest products that will be released in the coming year. This particular fair spanned four whole days from 18th to 21st May, 2000. Compared to the 10/99 Tokyo Show, this show featured a lot of new and exciting products, and according to some of the manufacturers that I talked with its due to the change of F3C rules which will take effective from the year 2002, and the rebounce of the Japanese economy. Now, let's take a look as to what's new and different.

Click on the image for a larger image.

Futaba

Futaba has released several new products. Among them the most important is the new version of Futaba 9Z, called World Champion II. Basically, the radio have only minor changes in both software and cosmetics. New features of the 9Z transmitter includes:

Direct access to all-sub-menus from the main menu;
New control stick that "sticks" better to the fingers;
Softer gimbal feel;
Higher capacity Ni-Cd that provides longer operation time;
Revised control panel buttons that is more durable;
Two more "three-way" switches; and
Lighter materials is used to reduce overall weight of the transmitter.

The new 9Z system for helicopter comes standard with four new S9252 digital servos. Specification of the S9252 as follows:

Dimension: 40X20X36.6mm

Weight: 50g

Speed: 0.14sec./60 degrees

Torque: 6.6kg/cm


*Futaba 9Z World Champion II*	*Main menu*

*System menu*	*Model menu*

*Condition menu*	*S9252 digital servo*

In addition, with the new 9Z there are several new servos and gyros bring released. Of all the new accessories, the most interesting should be the GY601 gyro and the GY502 gyro. The GY601 gyro featured extremely fast refresh rate (760MS) which Futaba claims is the fastest refresh rate being used for any gyros in the market. A new version of AVCS (Heading lock in Futaba terms) is being used that provides strong hold to the tail and smooth operation. The circuitry of the gyro used surface mount technology that makes it very low profile. A new servo, S9251 must be used with the GY601 gyro due to the high refresh rate. Futaba release only the speed of the S9251 at this moment, and is said to be at 0.07 sec/60 degrees! Price for the GY601 is listed approximately at US$380- and at US$500- with the S9251 servo. The difference between the GY601 and GY502 is that GY 502 featured slower refresh rate (1520MS), cheaper (US$240- list), and does not need to use special servo. There is also a new economy heading lock gyro called GY401 being released. The GY401 featured small footprint as the GY240 (27X27X20mm, 25g), and it featured dual gain settings with is not changable from the transmitter. Together with the GY401, a new digital servo S9253 is also released to provide an economy alternative for tail control. Price for the GY401 is listed approximately at US$160- and at US$2400- with the S9253 servo. Specification of the S9253 as follows:

Dimension: 40X20X36.6mm

Weight: 51g

Speed: 0.08sec./60 degrees

Torque: 2.0kg/cm


*GY502 gyro*	*GY601 gyro*

*GY-240 economy head lock gyro*	*GY-401 head lock gyro with S9253 servo*

OS

OS released a new engine, OS50SXH, which is an replacement of the OS46FXH. Most people have had a hard time adjusting and fiddling with their OS46 FXH carb so OS answered their prayers by using the OS61LXH's carb into the OS50SXH. Mounting and exhaust dimension of the OS50SXH is exactly the same as the OS46FXH for compatibility. Below is the technical data of the OS50SXH:

Displacement: 8.17cc

Normal RPM range: 2,000-20,000 RPM

Output: 1.8ps/17,000RPM

Weight: 413g


*OS50SXH*	*OS 140 F1 (Note mixture management system)*

Hirobo

For Hirobo, the limelight is on the Eagle Freya ("Freya" means "Beautiful" according to a Hirobo staff). The Eagle Freya is a new design based on the Eagle II which Hirobo said is targeted to entry level 3D capable 60 size helicopter. Eagle Freya features the following new designs:

Molded plastic main frame and servo control arms that resembles the design of the Eagle II 98 Spec.;
Revolutionary main gear design that features two main gears on the main mast, with the top gear being driven by the engine, power would be transferred from the top gear to the tail through the main shaft;
New design molded plastic rotorhead tailored to provide crisp response for 3D. The rotorhead system also featured a new flybar paddle of which the weight could be set to suit individual's taste; and
New tail belt drive and shaft drive system.

Basically, except for the main frame and the servo control mechanism, which is just a plastic version of the Eagle II 98 Spec., other parts of the Eagle Freya is completely new. The Eagle Freya could be upgraded to the level of Eagle II EX, and upgrade parts are also shown in the show. Hirobo also showed a 3 servos 120 degree ECCPM version prototype of the Eagle Freya, and they might plan to release it as an upgrade set in the future. In addition, upgrade parts also available to the Eagle II EX series to change the main gear design to the Eagle Freya's.

Price for the Eagle Freya is set at around US$950-, and is a replacement of the Tsurugi. At this price, I guess Hirobo should sell truckloads of these. In fact, just days ago before I come to the show, I actually saw Hashimoto 3D the Eagle Freya in Hong Kong, and at an instant people are amazed by the flying capabilities offered by Eagle Freya. In fact, one of my friends actually offered three times the list price of the Eagle Freya to Hashimoto for it, an offer which Hashimoto did not take.

There is also a muffler, design by Hirobo and manufactured by Hatori, which is designated for the Eagle Freya. The design of the Eagle Freya is actually much like the MA Nitro pipe, which is more like a tune pipe than a muffler. The Eagle Freya muffler is in two parts, a header and a muffler, and the whole muffler would sit clean and neat on the left side of the helicopter like a muffler. The muffler is designed to produce higher RPM on the top range.


*Eagle Freya*	*Eagle Freya fully upgraded*

*Mechanics of Eagle Freya*	*Upgrade parts for Eagle Freya*

*Main gear of Eagle Freya, note two main gears*	*Dual main gears installed in Eagle II EX*

*Lower main gear for Eagle EX*	*Tail shaft drive gear box for dual main gears*

*Tail belt shaft drive gear box for dual main gears*	*Eagle Freya muffler*

*Prototype ECCPM Eagle Freya*	*Prototype ECCPM Eagle Freya*

For scale helicopters, Hirobo once again showed the three scale helicopters that raised lots of interest in the May show, the Tiger, the Dolphin and the Panther. In addition, Hirobo re-issue several scale helicopters that was discontinued years ago, Hughes 500 and Jet Ranger in 30 and 60 class. These bodies are basically Funkey painted bodies with Hirobo mechanics. Hirobo also released a 30 class Airwolf, which is a combination of Funkey's painted Airwolf fuselage with Shuttle mechanics. In addition, Hirobo also showed a static display of a AH-6, which comes completely painted and very realistic. However, the same model helicopter is seen in Hong Kong's toy shop under different brand names.


*Panther, Dolphin and Tiger*	*Re-issue of Hirobo's old scale bodies*

*Hirobo Airwolf*	*AH-6 static model*

For accessories, Hirobo showed a Ni-Cd charger which is basically a Shinwa 9000 Advance charger, some cleaning and lubricant sprays, some metal upgrade parts for the SXX and the Hirobo brand nitro fuel.


*Hirobo Ni-Cd charger*	*Upgrade parts for Shuttle SXX*

*Hirobo spray cleaners and lubricants*	*Hirobo Fuel*

JR Propo Helicopter Division

In the middle of JR booth is a netted area that JR used to display the flying of their new EP Voyager. The EP Voyager now has a new Agusta 109A fuselage besides Scorpion and Ecureil fuselage.

JR officially released the Voyager 30, 50, and GS which was showed as a prototype in the October 1999 Tokyo Show. All these nitro and gas burning Voyagers featured a completely new design that is similar to the Vigor, and uses 3 servo 120 degree ECCPM control. Main difference between the three are just different engine sizes. On the JR booth is also the IMZ engines in 60 and 50 size. There is no release date for these engines, but according to JR staffs they should release the 50 engine in June or July.


*Bell 430 with MC430 head*	*Hughes 500 with MC430 head*

*JR IMZ Engines, 50 and 60 size*	*Robinson 50*

*Voyager E with fuselages*	*Voyager E with Agusta 109 A fuselage*

*Voyager GS*	*Voyager GS mechanics*

*Voyager 50*	*Voyager 50 rotorhead*

JR Propo Radio Division

JR Radio Division did not have much new things, except for the new DS3201 mini servos for mini planes and electric helicopters.


*DS3201 mini servo*	*Technical spec of DS3201 mini servo*

Kalt

Nothing new at Kalt booth

There is no new items featured for Kalt.

Kyosho

Kyosho booth

Kyosho has by far the biggest booth amongst other manufacturers, and they make very good use of their rented space. Kyosho finally released their Caliber M50, which was being displayed as prototype in the October 1999 Tokyo Hobby Fair. The Caliber M50 is a miniature version of the Caliber 60, with most of the fabulous design of the Caliber 60 got shrink into a 50 size machine, and is targeted at the Japanese Mini F3C rules. The release version of Caliber M50 has the following difference than the prototype:

New servo frame design that encase the receiver and battery;
Servo frames made of pressed aluminum plates instead of carbon plates;
Re-designed rotorhead that is said to provide flying capabilities that rivals most top F3C 60 class machines; and
Clutch design that is strong and would act as a fan that draws current to cool down the clutch mechanism.

According to Kyosho officials they do not plan to release it to the foreign market, and list price is set at around US$1,600-, which is very expensive for a 50 size helicopter. However, to my dismay, some of the parts are actually a downgrade compared to the prototype machine (e.g. aluminum frame instead of carbon). Still, with this high price you basically get the best 50 class helicopter that money can buy. Nevertheless, I took delivery of one Caliber M50 (Just can't help it...) and would feature it in a review later.


*Kyosho Caliber M50*	*Frontal portion of the Caliber M50*

*Caliber 50M (Prototype)*	*Full view of the Caliber 50M*

K&S

If not for the K&S banner, I would have mistaken that K&S booth is another plane manufacturer. In fact, there is nothing new for helicopters on display at K&S booth, but they did show some new airplanes. Maybe K&S is getting sick and tired of helicopters...


*Display rack of K&S booth*	*New parts display*

TSK

TSK released a new 60 size helicopter called the Acrostar, which is jointly developed with Quick. Price for the Acrostar is set to be under US$1,000- list, which would place the Acrostar at the entry level 60 class market segment. However, don't let the price fool you, the Acrostar is actually being made by over 90% machined aluminum parts. In fact, the Acrostar is actually a Quick 60. Both the Acrostar and the Quick helicopters are being made by Quick. According to TSK officials, there will be only one brand of the Quick/TSK helicopter on sale at a market, i.e. if USA has Quick 60, then there will not be any TSK Acrostar 60 on sale in USA.


*TSK Acrostar 60*	*TSK Acrostar 60 mechanics*

*Acrostar main frames*	*Acrostar main frames*

*Acrostar's rotorhead*

EasyCounter