Vintage RC Helicopters - United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Early 70's helicopters were expensive and quite complicated with fibreglass scale fuselages.  At the same time the principle of 'KISS' (Keep It Simple Stupid) had been applied in the UK by Peter Valentine which resulted in the 'Lark' series of helicopters.  The relatively cheap cost of this model allowed 'sport' flyers to attempt helicopters and to become competent before moving on to the more expensive types.  Though Micro-Mold actively sold the 'Lark' they did not follow it up and it was left to a new manufacturer 'Morley' to carry the flag in UK.  At one time the Morley range was quite extensive and they sold well though were generally builders models, unfortunately the Far East manufacturers though more expensive went down the KISS principle in their trainers and thus took the market from Morley.  MFA joined the 'scene' in the late eighties for a few years with what could be called a 'super Lark' and though progressing to collective pitch and a scale fuselage, again allowed development to stagnate so after a few years faded away.  Rotair was basically an updated MFA Sport 500 and was brought out in 1989 hoping to get sales from this area of marketing but unfortunately did not achieve any success.

The one area that the UK was and is still active in is 'aftermarket' support and this aspect is covered in the 'Heli Hardware' section.