Michael Kranitz (52 followers)
(mkranitz)
Change happens when we decide it happens
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Michael Kranitz
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Scale Helicopter Survey 2026
Chapters
01Executive Summary
02Selected Graphs - Demographics
03Selected Graphs - Flying
04Selected Graphs - Building
05Selected Graphs - Events
A hearty thank-you to all who participated in the Scale Helicopter Survey. My aim in producing this was to understand the make-up and sentiment of our community, especially as it relates to events. Here's what we found:

1. The Experience & Investment Profile

* Veteran Community: The hobby is domi...
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Michael Kranitz
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Lama Refurbishment Journey
Chapters
01Parts is Parts
02Progress Update
03Can There Be a More Exciting Sight?
04A Neat Shop = Building Joy
05Go Back Jack and Do It Again!
06Servo Setup
07Fuel for Thought
08Chasing the Tail
09Grubby Little $&#%#er!
10Almost There!
11Step Back and Spin Around
12Ready to Fly!!
At HeliStorm this year, I made a trade with Gonzalo Martinez for his exquisite 1/4 scale Vario Lama. Gonzalo had ordered all new mechanics, main shaft, servos and a few other bits before the trade so those will now come my way so I can rebuild this beautiful model. I’ve seen some amazing models in m...
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Thomas Dean
Looks like a fun project, can’t wait to see it in person.
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Danny Dobbels
Nice project, looks fine, detailed cockpit. We follow
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Michael Kranitz
To me, the hard part is done. The finishing (e.g. paint and glass) is always the most challenging to me. This is all mechanical and electronic -- my fun zone!
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Michael Kranitz
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Roban Apache Build
Chapters
01Getting Started
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_EmlczRm70
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Michael Kranitz
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Teching Turbofan
Chapters
01Introducing the Teching Turbofan
02Chapter 2: Timelapse
03Oh the instructions!
04Compressor Fans and Stators, Oh My!
05Low Pressure Chamber
06Finished!
07Beauty Shots
This is clearly outside the realm of scale helis, but if you are a scale heli modeler, you will REALLY appreciate this metal turbofan model!


https://youtu.be/N8cBDYIktPw
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Steve Berner
1. How do I attach the spring to the clutch card?
2. How do I disconnect the electrical control box motor wire from the motor terminal wire?
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Michael Kranitz
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Vario Baby Lama Build
Chapters
01Chapter 1: Servo Mounts
02Chapter 2: Central Drive Section
03Chapter 3: Swash, Rods & Motor
04Chapter 4: Final Main Mechanics
05Chapter 5: Pushy Pushrods and a Fussy Follower
06Chapter 6: Cutting the Fake Tank
07Chapter 7: Mechanics Fitment
08Chapter 8: Big Surprise!
09Torque Tube Trouble & Scale Bits
10Glass & Canopy
11Chapter 11: Wires, Gyro and Cables, Oh My!
12Chapter 12: Cockpit Electronics Update
13Chapter 13: Battery
14Me Attempting Scale Detailing
15First Hover Attempt -- OOOPS!
16SUCCESS!!!
The first two steps are as simple as they get. Be careful to align the aluminum servo plates and servo spline correctly inside the plates. Those are the only gotchas in this section of the build.

https://youtu.be/u_y1KLyGtGA
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