crewchief
05-25-2008, 08:36 PM
Hi Guys,
I'm ready to start on my 2nd Vario Benzin refurb, so I'm going to sell this one. I've got it listed on the local Craig's List to avoid shipping, but if anyone's really seriously interested, you can contact me directly and I'll see if there's a way to break it down. Here's the spiel I put on C.L.. I'll also throw in the FMA IR sensor for the AP2000i (I never installed it because the heli's so stable), and also a data logger for the AR9000 Rx.
/ ----- /
The German-built Vario is considered the Rolls Royce of RC helicopters. This is the Benzin (gasoline) Trainer. The Vario is used for scale model work in movies, due to the fact that it is so realistic in the way it flies, based on its large size and stability. The heli weighs about 18 lbs, and has a rotor span of about 6 ft. Despite its intimidating size, it is the most stable and easiest helicopter there is to fly.
It is called a "trainer" because this "pod and boom" configuration is good to practice flying, without all the extra bells and whistles of the scale fuselage attached. It is also a workhorse in the aerial photography and HD video field, and can lift up to 20 lbs of HD equipment when set up right. Due to its smoothness of flight, it can shoot stable aerial video at a small fraction of the cost of a Bell JetRanger.
This heli is powered by a Zenoah 23cc 2-stroke engine and is very economical to operate. I estimate you could fly 4 hours on one gallon of regular gasoline (mixed with 2-stroke oil). It is also very quiet. One of the main problems people have with these big helis is that the receiver battery runs out when there is still nearly a full tank of fuel left. This is because the big servos pull a lot of power. I solved this problem by installing an 8000 mAh LiPo battery with 6v Castle Creations regulator to run the receiver and all the servos. I usually only have to charge the battery now after many hours of flight!
This ship was used by a local aerial photographer and has about 20 hours total on the engine (usually good for 300 hours before overhaul). The mechanics were perfect, and I went through and completely updated all the electronics and fuel system. The Futaba GY 601 gyro and all the servos were top-of-the-line, so they stayed. It is easy to get parts for the Vario from eastcoastvario.com, plus I have a large supply of new spare parts, which I will sell at 1/2 price if I have something you need.
There is just way too much about this incredible helicopter than I can begin to mention here - custom exhaust, stretched tail, on and on. I've got another one just like it, but I haven't started refurbishing it yet. I've flown this one about 5 hours and it flies like a dream - really dialled in! The power & pitch curves for these gassers are radically different than any electric or nitro, and you're getting years of expertise for free. I will give you 2 free flying lessons on the buddy-box with purchase. After purchase I will give flying lessons for $40/hr. This unit is too big to ship without disassembly, so I don't want to list it on eBay.
Fuselage length: 61"/155cm
Overall length: 78"/198cm
Rotor blade: 33"/840mm
Rotor span: 71.5"/1820mm
Tailboom: 38"/94cm (stretched tail for stability)
Engine: Zenoah 23cc (this is the smoothest one)
Carburetor: Walbro
Intake: Custom venturi ram (will also supply K&N Filter)
Servos: (5x) JR DS8411sa (expensive!)
Gyro: Futaba GY601 (expensive!)
Tail Servo: Futaba S9251 (really expensive!)
Rotor blades: Vario Reflex airfoil high-lift 840mm + carrying case
Transmitter: Spektrum DX7 2.4 GHz Spread Spektrum - new (no interference!)
Receiver: Spektrum AR9000 - new
Mixer: Spartan RC AP2000i - new (also IR horizon stabilization)
Servos: (5x) JR DS8411sa (expensive!)
Gyro: Futaba GY601 (expensive!)
Tail Servo: Futaba S9251 (really expensive!)
Rx Power: 8000 mAh MaxAmps LiPo w/ Castle Creations 6v Regulator
I am selling this helicopter for less than half of what it's worth. IF YOU WANT TO HAGGLE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VERY SHORT CONVERSATION. If you're a beginner, your money is just as good as anyone else's. This heli is super stable, but if you don't know how to fly, this is not the place to start, because you'll too nervous about balling it up. If you can fly ANYTHING, though, even a BLADE CX, you can fly this. I'll get you over the initial nerves on the buddy box, and you'll be fine!
Good luck!
~Bruce
boatnerconsulting@earthlink.net
I'm ready to start on my 2nd Vario Benzin refurb, so I'm going to sell this one. I've got it listed on the local Craig's List to avoid shipping, but if anyone's really seriously interested, you can contact me directly and I'll see if there's a way to break it down. Here's the spiel I put on C.L.. I'll also throw in the FMA IR sensor for the AP2000i (I never installed it because the heli's so stable), and also a data logger for the AR9000 Rx.
/ ----- /
The German-built Vario is considered the Rolls Royce of RC helicopters. This is the Benzin (gasoline) Trainer. The Vario is used for scale model work in movies, due to the fact that it is so realistic in the way it flies, based on its large size and stability. The heli weighs about 18 lbs, and has a rotor span of about 6 ft. Despite its intimidating size, it is the most stable and easiest helicopter there is to fly.
It is called a "trainer" because this "pod and boom" configuration is good to practice flying, without all the extra bells and whistles of the scale fuselage attached. It is also a workhorse in the aerial photography and HD video field, and can lift up to 20 lbs of HD equipment when set up right. Due to its smoothness of flight, it can shoot stable aerial video at a small fraction of the cost of a Bell JetRanger.
This heli is powered by a Zenoah 23cc 2-stroke engine and is very economical to operate. I estimate you could fly 4 hours on one gallon of regular gasoline (mixed with 2-stroke oil). It is also very quiet. One of the main problems people have with these big helis is that the receiver battery runs out when there is still nearly a full tank of fuel left. This is because the big servos pull a lot of power. I solved this problem by installing an 8000 mAh LiPo battery with 6v Castle Creations regulator to run the receiver and all the servos. I usually only have to charge the battery now after many hours of flight!
This ship was used by a local aerial photographer and has about 20 hours total on the engine (usually good for 300 hours before overhaul). The mechanics were perfect, and I went through and completely updated all the electronics and fuel system. The Futaba GY 601 gyro and all the servos were top-of-the-line, so they stayed. It is easy to get parts for the Vario from eastcoastvario.com, plus I have a large supply of new spare parts, which I will sell at 1/2 price if I have something you need.
There is just way too much about this incredible helicopter than I can begin to mention here - custom exhaust, stretched tail, on and on. I've got another one just like it, but I haven't started refurbishing it yet. I've flown this one about 5 hours and it flies like a dream - really dialled in! The power & pitch curves for these gassers are radically different than any electric or nitro, and you're getting years of expertise for free. I will give you 2 free flying lessons on the buddy-box with purchase. After purchase I will give flying lessons for $40/hr. This unit is too big to ship without disassembly, so I don't want to list it on eBay.
Fuselage length: 61"/155cm
Overall length: 78"/198cm
Rotor blade: 33"/840mm
Rotor span: 71.5"/1820mm
Tailboom: 38"/94cm (stretched tail for stability)
Engine: Zenoah 23cc (this is the smoothest one)
Carburetor: Walbro
Intake: Custom venturi ram (will also supply K&N Filter)
Servos: (5x) JR DS8411sa (expensive!)
Gyro: Futaba GY601 (expensive!)
Tail Servo: Futaba S9251 (really expensive!)
Rotor blades: Vario Reflex airfoil high-lift 840mm + carrying case
Transmitter: Spektrum DX7 2.4 GHz Spread Spektrum - new (no interference!)
Receiver: Spektrum AR9000 - new
Mixer: Spartan RC AP2000i - new (also IR horizon stabilization)
Servos: (5x) JR DS8411sa (expensive!)
Gyro: Futaba GY601 (expensive!)
Tail Servo: Futaba S9251 (really expensive!)
Rx Power: 8000 mAh MaxAmps LiPo w/ Castle Creations 6v Regulator
I am selling this helicopter for less than half of what it's worth. IF YOU WANT TO HAGGLE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VERY SHORT CONVERSATION. If you're a beginner, your money is just as good as anyone else's. This heli is super stable, but if you don't know how to fly, this is not the place to start, because you'll too nervous about balling it up. If you can fly ANYTHING, though, even a BLADE CX, you can fly this. I'll get you over the initial nerves on the buddy box, and you'll be fine!
Good luck!
~Bruce
boatnerconsulting@earthlink.net