Polecat (oz6688)

About this Plan

Polecat. Radio control helicopter model.

Quote: "A .19 to .25 powered helicopter that can equal or exceed the performance of the larger machines and can be built at a third of their cost by the average modeler without exotic machine equipment. Polecat by Dave Keats.

R/C Modeler Magazine is proud to present Dave Keats' Polecat, a .19 to .25 powered helicopter that is totally unique in many respects.

First of all, this machine can be built by virtually any R/C modeler with ordinary shop tools and assembled from parts that are readily available in hobby shops, the local hardware store, with a few specialized parts called out in the parts list at the end of this article available from Stock Drive Products in one complete package, while other parts requiring machining can be purchased in a finished state from the author. Unlike scratch-built helicopters that have previously been presented in the model press, this machine can be built by you without the necessity of a lathe and special tooling. And, the total cost of the machine will be approximately one-third of that of those commercially available on the market today.

Performance wise, the Polecat will hold its own with any of the larger machines. Its acceleration is virtually fantastic, and its aerobatic potential is limited only by the ability of the individual flier. This machine has been looped on several occasions, and its flight capabilities were demonstrated at the recent Toledo Conference in winds so strong that pilots of the larger .60 powered machines declined to fly. Yet, this little machine weighs only slightly over 4 lbs and can be carried in the front seat of a car an added plus if you are used to hauling around one of the 14 lb helicopters that require the entire back end of a station wagon!

RCM has a Polecat which was used for the photographs and the pictures accompanying this article. I have derived a great deal of pleasure from this little machine and have found it to be as rugged, if not more so, than any of the larger machines. It is easy to repair, and if you break a main rotor blade it’s not going to cost you an arm and a leg to replace it - the rotor blade consist of a 36” length of ¼” square balsa, ½” x ¼” spruce, and 1” trailing edge stock. Glue them together, sand to shape, cut in half, and cover with Solarfilm. Thus, as an example, you can replace the main rotor blades for approximately $1.50. This holds true for virtually every part of this excellent little chopper. Any damage you may do can easily be repaired with readily obtainable material without having to wait for parts to arrive from the factory.

We have noticed that the response time is extremely fast on the Polecat, and there is virtually no 'lag' time whatsoever. In our opinion, flying the Polecat, as compared to flying some of the larger machines, is somewhat analogous to flying a Quarter Midget compared to a larger, slower high wing sport machine. It is quick and responsive, but with the training prop installed, it is docile enough to serve as a trainer. Its ease of construction, minimum cost, ease of maintenance and transportation, add up to a machine that is almost unbeatable for the helicopter enthusiast. If you've been interested in helicopters, here's one you can build at a fraction of the cost, and while building it, see exactly what makes a helicopter work, and why.

R/C Modeler Magazine offers its congratulations to Dave Keats on an outstanding job of design and engineering and we hope RCM readers will not only build Dave’s Polecat, but drop us a line and send us a photo or two of your particular version..."

Note this plan file also includes full article of 12 pages, with full text and many detailed build pics.

Supplementary file notes

Planfile includes article.

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