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Hirobo Shuttle RG/M
Hakim Tung
Heli………………… Hirobo Shuttle RG/M
Where bought…… Cyberheli, Hong Kong
How much……….. US$740
Engine ……..…….. Webra Speed 35 Competition
Muffler……………. Weston tuned muffler
Radio……..………. JR 10X
Gyro……………….. Futaba GY-240/S9253 digital servo
Servos ……..…….. Futaba S9204
Fuel…………………Cool Power 15% nitro
Add-Ons..................RS header tank, Revolution base loaded antennae, Pegae
start system, K&S paddles, SAB 550 carbon blades, Hobbico voltmeter, and
Sullivan remote glow starter
Introduction
This review has been a long time coming. I had bought this heli since July 2001
but hadn’t
got around to building it, especially after buying a Scaedu 30, flying that
and trying to solve a overheating problem. But, if my flying impressions of
Hirobo machines are anything to compare by then this top of the range .30 sized
heli should be one heck of a juicy machine. Let’s see.
 Highlights
The RG/M is a “souped” up version of the metal-framed Shuttle RG except
that this one has carbon fibre everywhere. For the price of this kit I would
have liked to see the tail feathers in carbon fibre too. I’ve never built
the metal RG version but the main differences between the RG and RG/M are the
carbon frames, carbon tail boom, longer tail boom, tail box with carbon sides,
carbon fibre tail push rod, 2-pin radius block/wash-out and collective pitch
arms in carbon. The head is the SZ III metal head with an under slung flybar
for superior stability and flight control. Controls are push-pull as in the
Freya, which provide slop free operation and tail is belt driven. For engine
power I decided to try out the Webra Speed 35 Competition. After using O.S.
engines for so long I was disappointed by the construction quality of the Webra.
Also the Promix carb does not look very well made, but lets not judge it before
we try it. The RG/M does not come with blades so I used a pair SAB 550mm glass
blades and I also replaced the stock paddles with K&S paddles which I like
for their crisp response.
Opening the box
What immediately strikes you is the packaging. I’ve forgotten how many
times I’ve opened up this box just to drool over the parts. The rotor head
is a pre-built all metal item, the only plastic piece being the stop button.
The swashplate is metal as is the tail gearbox, which has sides in carbon fibre.
These together with the derlin machined main gear, elevator lever, paddles and
bearing blocks are packed in a separate jewel case surrounded in white sponge.
Very classy. The rest of the heli parts are packed in individual numbered bags
according to the assembly steps.
 
 
The fiberglass canopy is a best I’ve seen yet. Hirobo have even taken
the liberty of pre-drilling the mounting holes. The gel coat is so smooth that
I wondered if the decals would stick securely and the decals seem to be of a
better quality than the Freya or Scaedu.
 A
few disappointments?
Actually there were. The first being the “A” type elevator arms. After
seeing all those fantastic bits of aluminum I was disappointed with these. They
are just bent pieces of flat aluminum. Attaching these inferior bits to the
blue anodized elevator lever almost seems sacrilegious. I’m sure they work
fine, but how much does Hirobo save on these?
Another was the quality of wash-out arms. They are not cut smoothly and I don’t
seem to have the answer for that too. The boom supports are also just plain
pieces of aluminum with plastic inserts. I also found some pieces of machining
metal during assembly like the shaving from a collar so always keep a look out.
One thing that also puzzled me was the softness of the tail rotor blades. They
are very flexible. I thought that stiffer tail blades are better. I’ll
definitely be changing these later.
I’m sure these would not detract from the overall performance or enjoyment
of the heli, but in my opinion kept the RG/M from earning a perfect score.
 
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