[Max]

So here I am 5500km from home with a busted 130.

Its not that bad, realy. But I did break the landing gear when the heli went nuts and did a nose-dive from about 20 feet straight down. I was flying it for about 1 minute before a quick rain shower popped up out of nowhere (What do you expect from England?) and in seconds the motor seemed to go wonky and I lost the cyclic. I did manage to hit throttle hold before it hit the ground.

Of course, the rain stopped by the time I walked the 20 paces it took me to get to where the 130 hit the ground. STUPID ENGLISH WEATHER.

So far the only damage was the landing skids have broken off.
I hope to find a hobby shop tomorrow that sells 130 parts. But Im not crossing my fingers. Last time I needed 450 parts, I could not find any LHS that stocked any heli parts at all.

Since then I normally I bring spares(mostly for the 450) but I didn't bring any 130 parts. I wasn't expecting a crash. DANG IT.

[Max]

I have an idea for making temporary landing skids using twist ties that I can scrounge from work. But first I'm heading to the pub for a meal and a pint. I've earned it in tears..LOL

[Keyrigger]

Good luck with the repair attempt. It never fails that when you bring spares, it's always for the helicopter you never end up crashing and the one that you might get the most use out of, you have no spares and that is the one that takes the dirt nap on you. Have a pint for me.

Don

[ken park]

Originally Posted by Keyrigger

Good luck with the repair attempt. It never fails that when you bring spares, it's always for the helicopter you never end up crashing and the one that you might get the most use out of, you have no spares and that is the one that takes the dirt nap on you. Have a pint for me.

Don

Never assume the weather is stupid ENGLISH it could started on the smart QUEBEC side

[Midair]

Don't fret, Max. The weather here in North Bay isn't any better - rainy and cold (by August standards). Sorry to learn about your 130 mishap. Good luck with speedy repairs.

Peter

P.S. Ken, I don't think that Max is referring to English Canada weather; I believe he's commenting on the weather in the British Isles

[Max]

Here's the damage- So far it just looks like the landing skids.
I did hit the throttle hold when it went nuts on me, so the mains were not under power when it hit the ground. The one thing with this British grass- Its well manicured. The entire field I was flying from looked like one giant golf green. Which sucks when you crash- its just like hitting solid rock. I would rather crash into tall grass. At least that helps break the fall!


I called the local hobby shops near the town I am in. None of them carried spare landing gear for the 130.

I had an idea to make my own using plastic tie-wraps.

I gathered some from my work. Big fat ones and small, skinny long ones



First thing I did was remove the existing landing gear, and used the extruded dimples on the frame as a template to drill 2 holes in the big plastic tie. I didn't have a drill, all I had was a box cutter. I just twisted and turned the box cutter to make the holes and enlarged them to suit.


Here I checked the fit of the plastic tie to the frame. The proper skids are made to fit over the dimples and have a small hole on the skid that the screw locks down. Using this method, the crew only sits on the dimple and does not act to restrain the plastic tie strap. Hmm..... I will need to get some sort of washer on these screws.

[Max]

I didnt have any washers small enough to suit (I am away from home this week) so I fashioned a few from the thinner "lead-in" on the big plastic tie wrap. I drilled a hole though it with my box-cutter knife and put the LG screw thorough it, then cut it off square.


Here it is installed on the heli. Compare to the side that has no "washer". That should hold it!


Once the big tie wraps are mounted to the frame, cut off the plastic tie so that it is equal in length on both sides. "Drill" through the plastic tie to accept the smaller plastic tie. The smaller plastic tie will act to shape the landing gear "bow"


Here the ties are inserted through one end. Need to make a "nut" to hold the other end.


A 'nut' is made by cutting off the end of 2 more ties. All you need is the end piece.


Slip the "nut" on the other end and cinch it just enough to get the required bow on the makeshift landing gear. Cut off the unneeded length of cable ties


Here she is all ready to fly. Looks ugly but it works for the time being. I managed 3 flights with it yesterday . I'll be sure to replace it with a proper LG skid once I get a chance to visit my LHS when I get home