I am glad I got that right, thanks. I power them with brushless motors. My ultralight protoype is very lightweight and uses 2 Lithium-Polymer cells, it has more power than the model really needs. My backyard videos are done in low altitudes to capture a bit more realism and not to risk the model in the confined space. Inspiration right now is high and I am going to try to get the 1/6 scale air model together in the next week or so. I have to make blades for it and I think for now it will be powered by electric brushless motors. I am having a bit of a hard time making an alluminum timing pulley becuase i can't tell from some photos the number of teeth of the actual real pulleys, but from previous experience designing large RC helis 10:1:4 reduction should be a good starting point without going through heli design formulas. I have not relied on formulas since my first experimental RC heli more than 20 years ago (photos attached) after you do something long enough, especially flying models,  you sort of develop a good feel for it.

(MIA Mosquito 039-600.jpg)

(MIA Mosquito 036-600.jpg)

(MIA Mosquito 041-600.jpg)

MIA Mosquito 039-600.jpg (95KB - 46 downloads)

MIA Mosquito 036-600.jpg (91KB - 45 downloads)

MIA Mosquito 041-600.jpg (85KB - 48 downloads)

I could not wait, needed that fix!, I needed to fly today... so I repaired the heli and decided to get another video going. The helicopter is craving a large open area and full throttle. I am flying it at 1/3 throttle in all my videos. Hopefully this coming weekend I will take it to the park and do another video with more space to fly in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LpmDuuxGSQ

Well, I got bitten really hard by the flying bug. I took the heli to a park today.
Here it is, very satisfying flight, the model loves the open space, flies very smooth and handles sweet. I am pumped to finish the build on three other ones, similar size, but different in design.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcGeHQPcPmk

I feel as this is becoming a sort of silent blog... anyway, I finished a refined version of the MIA Ultralight Heli, and the 1/4 scale RC Mosquito is sitting on the back burner for now, waiting for additional parts. My mind is racing with ideas for some other cool RC projects, I must build as many as I can in the next week or so while the ideas are fresh in my mind. I will post more as I test the refined version of the MIA Ultralight Helicopter and you can always see the other cool stuff I am doing at my web site.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7AGFjCEh9U&feature=related 

Three kids off to college has put a little time delay on these fun projects. Anyway, I'm back and have recently spent considerable time searching for pilot figures with the correct proportions, theme and detail, but I have not been able to find anything to my satisfaction. This means I am forced, once again, as with most of my rather unique projects, normally turn out, I will have to manufacture things from scratch, and make my own 3D in scale pilot figures.

I am bit upset at the fact that the scale pilot figures, I've come accross, are mostly bust only and there are very limited options, if one wanted to do a really scale, spiffy and detailed full body model.

I need to model the MIA Pilot in a 3D program, so I will be able to scale it to any size and manufacture it directly from the 3D model.  Not that I am unsatisfied with the profile MIA Pilot figure, which I designed originally on the same basis of not finding a suitable and appropriately themed figure to match my unique projects, but the pilot figure has been begging me to make it 3D so that the models this figure will suppport will be more realistic from all angles. I guess I'm  not quite satisfied, yet, with the MIA Ultralight helicopter look, but I guess a little patience will be required until I can materialize the refined final versions. When done right, a 3D pilot figure really adds considerable realism.

Almost 10 years ago I experiemeted with molding various soft materials and I found a way to do superlightweight crash proof figure bodies and parts. I will be revisiting some of these methods again when I manufacture the MIA Pilot figure.  

More to come...as time permits.

There should be ample images on this site of Paul Grieshaber flying his AIR that you could use to create your 3D model.  I'm not sure you'll be able to match his shirt color, however... 

Hello gents, 

I really appreciate the feedback. I've been at it for the past week on and off relearning 3D modeling, most of the work I've been doing for the past 20 some years has been mainly design work for 2-1/2 axis CNC manufacturing and I struggled a bit with some 3D programs in the beginning "thinking too hard and beyond the basics" and so most of my 3D work molds were very simple. After a week of persistantly revisiting and working with 3D modeling again, I tackled the head of the MIA pilot, it is so easy these days with high end PC at our fingertips (attached a photo).  The pilot figure is actually based off of a photo of Ken Brock (Flying an autogyro), someone I greatly admired from reading about him in old magazines, but with some on my own details to keep it my own.

I would have gone with a full helmet shield but so  many figurines are done this way and I think it takes some of the details away from, in the scales I am working in. So I opted for the rather vintage flight goggles instead, but with some of my own mods. I am still working on the 3D model tweaking it a bit. Last night I made a mold of the head, in two pieces, and molded it quickly from plastic, to get an idea of the look. Using a 1/8 Ball end mill provided enough detail and the machining time was quick. Next one I will use a smaller and longer end mill  and a more refined resolution to get even more fine detail on it. 

I had to slip this pilot head project quietly in the mist of real work I need to do, but I wanted to get the 3D bug out of me and so I am a bit more confident at least I can model just about anything with motre speed and ease, next time I need to make the rest of the body for it.  I am also working on some scale helicopter bodies which some kind folks have been asking me to do.

more to come...

Edited by Mario I. Arguello 8/31/2010 11:56 AM

(MIAPilot-3DHead-1.jpg)

MIAPilot-3DHead-1.jpg (87KB - 10 downloads)

Thanks John, I put it aside for a bit until I can finish the pilot figure. Once the Pilot figure is done, the rest will fall into place quickly. I have most of the mechanics done, I need to cut some gears. I really love the way the real Mosquito has the belt drive on top and so I want to be as true to this setup as possible. I've never been too crazy about torque tubes or belt drives for the tail drive, most of my RC original helicopter design started with tail motors in geared or direct drive and they have worked out great for me, therefore I may opt to keep this same set up for the tail.

Blair,

I have a couple GI-Joes,  but they are almost in mint shape and I wanted to keep them for my son, grandson some day... and  I need a pilot figure to mold from. I also wanted it to look just like the MIA  Profile pilot, so it has its own original personality, but thanks anyway for the suggestion.  Believe me, I looked hard and found GI-Joe figures for sale with some interesting price tags, however, not suitable for a base model to mold a lighter body from. I even found someone on Ebay from China who carves real faces of popular people, she has a decent price structure,  I was thinking of resorting to her for such but after really looking at her work I decided, I can save the time and get a much better model done with a 3D program on a CNC machine, more so is the ease in which one can manufacture things from a 3D computer model.

Some ramdom thoughts....

I am still refining some of my 3D organic modeling skills, but boy! this can be painstakingly tedious, when you are just learning. I did some of it back in the 90's, for Revell Monogram, working on simple car parts, but when you work for someone of that caliber, deadlines are super important and these tend to place a great deal of stress on one's spirit,  the glamor behind being a 3D modeler wears off pretty fast.  It is more relaxing doing it for fun, this brings back a thought that I teach my kids and I share with everyone that is a bit lost in finding a job they love to do, that is... you have to find something that you love to do, almost without thinking, if its fun for you, you will probably be very successful at it.  A good portion, of the work I presently do, has been learned by pure experimentation and trying things, that some people perhaps, would not, but really enjoying and sucking every bit of pleasure from it, but sure is nice to have a balance, with that ticket that a higher academic education gives you, it is a good base to have.

I am rambling here and I am sure this is nothing new to some of you  perhaps reading this, but if not and if you are in positionm of dicontent with your job, it is never too late to take time to review your life and go for the things you love to, provided, of course, they are legal, moral and with some degre of logic and safety.  Life is very short, we all have one shot at it, live it as if is the last of your days.  ....