Official RotorScale UH-1A Medic Green 450 Size Helicopter Discussion Thread

[Brad]

The longer this takes to finally come out, the lower and lower my cash funds go, and eventually will hit zero. Would really like one, but the wait is burning a hole in my pocket.

[Brad]

Really appreciate the info Tom. This Huey is at the top of my want/purchase list, so waiting anxiously for news.

[seaviper]

Thanks Tom. Good info.

[Tom]

Mark went and visited the factory with Alpha a few weeks back. Mark was communicating with the factory last night as well so hopefully we will know more soon.

[Cyclone 7]

Fair enough Tom! Thanks for the update - far better to keep the customer honestly informed, in the face of unexpected delays. You are doing the right thing in ensuring that you have an adequate inventory of spares before releasing any of the helis. I always take in some of the more obvious spares when buying a new heli, as part of the order.

[Tom]

Hi guys. Alpha has been super busy on some new and existing projects so he has been unable to respond for a few days. Mark and I will try to cover for him in this thread for a bit. The simple explanation is that we are waiting for our order. So far we've received a small order of 450 PNP helicopters and about 30% of the spare parts. This is not enough to launch a new line of helicopters so we're waiting for the remainder of the order. Maybe we got over excited and shared these too early. I'm not sure where the happy medium is. If we keep things to close to the vest, I feel like we are keeping you guys in the dark and I don't want to keep you guys in the dark. If we let the cat out of the bag too early, you can see what happens. Hopefully we can find a happy medium.

[Cyclone 7]

The lack of response on this, the listed 'Official Thread', tells me that they really have not got their act together on this one. A great pity, as the original concept was good. I certainly wouldn't be ordering one until the first releases have been tried and tested in the market place (which includes the ready availability of ALL spare parts).

[seaviper]

Lack of spare parts is a show stopper for me. I really miss the Century helicopter days...that was the golden age of helicopters. You had Hirobo, Kyosho, Century, and Miniature Aircraft with tons of sport models. Now all you have is blinged-out 3d which are all over priced.

[Cyclone 7]

Yes, it seems that way. Hey Alpha, is there any kind of update message that you guys can give? Why the delays, etc? Not asking for a delivery date, just a status check.

Marketing well and truly jumped the gun, methinks. I would not order one until such time as the all too familiar 'Out of Stock' tag becomes less of a label for Motion RC - particularly where it comes to spares.

Since I am already flying 450, I have had time to rethink and have decided to move on to a larger Scale option, rather.

I am grateful for the delay, as it has saved me from an impulsive spend.

But that is not to say that when this product finally becomes available, it is not a good option - providing the necessary spare parts are readily available!

There is certainly a gap in the 450 size scale market - which somebody has at least, finally recognised.

[Brad]

Hmmm - I am beginning to get the distinct impression that the 450 scale range is unlikely to be available and on the shelves, for quite a while yet.

Yes, it seems that way. Hey Alpha, is there any kind of update message that you guys can give? Why the delays, etc? Not asking for a delivery date, just a status check.

[Cyclone 7]

Hmmm - I am beginning to get the distinct impression that the 450 scale range is unlikely to be available and on the shelves, for quite a while yet.

[Alpha]

It's a fair point, Dcorsair, and a concern we're preparing for. The larger helos are different in some respects since there's lots of pent up demand for them from years past that outpaces restock rates at times, but those are improving. For these 450s, the math is less mysterious since we know how many of these we're putting into the market and thus have a clearer view of quantities needed to support those products. We've got many SKUs including all the usual parts that will break on these helicopters first (blades, rods, etc) including more in-depth SKUs such as complete screw sets. It's difficult to break a screw, but it's always nice to have spares nearby, nonetheless.

[DCORSAIR]

What I'm worried about is replacement parts, if you look at some of the Roban 700-800 size helis the parts are not in stock, so can you tell us if there will be a good supply of replacement parts for these 450 scale helis??

[Brad]

Yup, super excited about this one, and repeating the same question "when do we get one!!" I really like the fact that these are a belt driven tail as I hate torque tubes.

future models? Apache, Sikorski, ...

[seaviper]

Any idea on when these 450 helicopters will be available?

[seaviper]

I was trying to do stuff like this a few years back with some old Align sport models and some fiberglass fuselages from Germany. It was too expensive and too hard to get parts. So, I really want to get a look at one of these.

My experience with flybarless controllers has pretty much been limited to MicroBeast.I would like to see how this open source controller performs. Sounds like a winner to me.

I hope they eventually do some different scale versions such as a Bell 206, SH60, Cobra, etc.

[icepirate3]

I just posted a couple days ago looking at doing a scale conversion on a 360 Trio. This is something I am very interested in!! Thanks Motion for not forgetting about us heli bubbas! I'm in the same boat as seaviper though. Just purchased an 8s Phantom. Gotta hurry up and start saving more pennies. Would love to see an SH-60B! Even though it's not scale, I would definitely do a Huey in this scheme. Was in VXE-6 Operation Deep Freeze from 96 to decommissioning in 99 as an LC-130 engine mech.

[Elbee]

Hi...]

Kiwi_Craig, Welcome to Hobby Squawk. Best, LB

[kiwi_craig]

Hi, the side door guns - side mounted M-60's, it was called the M-23 sub system basically the same lower mount with an ammo box and M-60 with dual hand grips rather than a shoulder stock.

https://sobchak.wordpress.com/2016/01/27/m23-armament-subsystem/

[seaviper]

I am definitely encouraged by these offerings in 450. The belt drive sounds good. The fiberglass bodies sound good. If I hadn't already bought the L-39 I might order one. I have been waiting on something like this for a long time.
I really like what I am seeing lately from Motion. Keep up the good work guys!

PS. Alpha I don't know if you would have to license it or not, but we sorely need a Bell 206 Jet Ranger in this size. A Blue Thunder wouldn't hurt either...Santini Air while we're at it
I can just imagine the Huey in the morning fog at our field....I would have to put lights on it eventually.