The Shizuoka Hobby Fair is one of the two bi-annual hobby trade fair in Japan. Since most of the R/C manufacturers are in Japan, in this fair you could see the latest products that will be released in the coming months. This particular fair spanned four whole days from 20th to 23th May, 1999. Due to the economy of Japan, there are not a lot of exciting new products being released in this year's May show. (In fact, I felt that its kind of boring). A lot of so called "new kits" are just a repackaging of existing products. However, latest trend showed that Japanese are now into scale helicopters. A lot of new scale canopies/kits are released, and their quality are up to the high standards of Japanese products. Coupled with the usual ease of assembly normally found in Japanese kits and it will sure introduce a lot of modellers to consider scale as their next helicopter. Click on the image for a larger image.
Its finally here! The JR version of head lock gyro, the G-5000T. It was based on their very successful JR 3000 gyro. The use of their new gyro servo, JR 8700G is a must with this gyro. However, don't start dumping your JR 3000 gyros and 2700G servos yet. Rumor has it that JR is delaying the release of this gyro due to problems. Price have set to be 39,800 yen.
JR released the Max 66II, which is a updated version of their Max 66 system. New features includes 120 degree 3 servo CCPM mixing, and more powerful flight mode programming.
Other products includes new digital servos that looks like to replace the "Super Servo" line (JR rep. said "Super Servo" will still be available along the digital servos), here are their specifications:
| Designation | DS8301 | DS8425 | DS8455 |
| Size (in mm) | 34.5X19X38 | 34.5X19X38 | 34.5X19X38 |
| Weight (In g) | 49 | 60 | 60 |
| Operation voltage | 4.8V | 4.8V/6V | 4.8V/6V |
| Speed (Seconds at 60 degree) | 0.19 | 0.19(0.15) | 0.10/(0.08) |
| Torque (In kg/cm) | 6.5 | 11(13) | 6.5(7.3) |
| List price (in yen) | 13,000 | 14,000 | 14,000 |
Futaba released a new version of FF6 called FF6 Super. It allows for more adjustments for the different flight modes. (Sorry, no photos taken)
There are a lot of new scale canopies released. However, long expected products like the Team Version Superio CCPM, Vigor, and the JR IMZ engine was not released yet.
This is JR first voyage into electric helicopters, and is appropriately named Voyager. Powered by a 550 class motor and run on 8.4V-12V battery packs. It featured a 120 degree ECCPM operation.
Limited edition Hughes 500 and Bell 206L4 with 4 blade head was displayed side by side. These are already available in Japanese market. These FRP canopies comes painted in two tone paint scheme.
Same recipe of the Hughes 500 and Bell 206L4 was applied to the already available Bell 230 canopy. Packaging a Bell 230 FRP canopy, Ergo 50 Type II CCPM mechanics, and the limited edition 4 blade MC430 head produce the limited edition Bell 430. The FRP canopy comes painted in two tone, and includes retract mechanics.
The new Robinson R22 fuselage for Ergo 50 Type II
Sikorsky S-76C fuselage for JR Ergo 50 Type II. Comes painted in two tone scheme.
JR Tempest FRP canopy for Ergo 50 Type II.
There are some new upgraded parts released by TSK. Packaging these upgrade parts into kit set and you get new product, this is my feelings of TSK new products displayed at this show.
Several new upgrade parts are displayed. This is the new UG7420 tail drive set that featured a redesigned carbon drive and tail blade grips.
The industrial use TSK GS 62.
This is a closeup of a test evaluation use exhaust pipe for TSK Gasser. Real mean looking.
Hirobo counter give me themost excitement among other displays. They displayed several new 60 class scale helicopters.
This EC AS 565 Panther is a complete new kit from Hirobo. It featured a new designed 4 blade head, and a fenestron tail. The canopy comes standard with opening doors with scale metal hinges, and rocket launchers. The mechanics are right hand rotation. Yes, you are right! The one besides the Panther is the EC Tiger gunship with Eagle mechanics, also a very detail and high quality item.
Close up of the Panther's fenestron tail. Very nicely produced and is the best that I've seen by far. The quality of this unit is amazing and beats the one of the Vario EC135.
Second surprise, a Eurocopter AS 365 Dauphin. It feautred the same mechanics with the Panther, and the fenestron. This is another new item. The Panther and the Dauphin are so nice that I immediately placed order for two of each, at whatever price. Why two? Another set is for my friend Stephen Fan to show him that not only Vario could produce nice scale helicopters.
Close up of the Dauphin's fenestron tail. It is the same unit as in the Panther and this photo give another view of a nicely produced unit. Job well done, Hirobo.
These are what I called the "I-Mac" version of Shuttle canopies. Comes in three transparant colours (Blue, Red and Green) and rumored to have some more colour varieties coming. These canopies comes with matching fins. Like the Apple ad said; "YUM!"
The Kalt Mercury M ECCPM helicopter. A revised Baron 46.
Kalt Hermes F3C contest canopy for their top of the line Omega Zeus.
Copyright 2000 by Jason Chan of Hong Kong. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication of all or any part of this page is prohibited.