I FINALLY got the MCPXBL / C186 brushless hybrid flying properly with a four rotor head on it and with proper collective pitch (E120 / C186 control altitude by rotor RPM only). The helicopter felt as stable as hoped for and the symmetrical airfoil K124 blades made a unique and wicked sound as a bonus (C186 blades are undercambered).

The last trick to finally making it work was to replace the cheap C186 blade grips that are supported by a sleeveonplasticpost design with similar size ballbearing supported grips intended for an Xk K124 helicopter, as were the white blades and upperhalf of a K124 swashplate with the ball bearing intact.

K124 feathering shafts had to be fitted to the stock C186 head after some modification. I also had to purchase a pack of K124 assorted screws to get the proper ones for the feathering shafts (VERY tiny!) and the grip screws that hold the main blades.

The video shows a few mod details and first hover test flight. The rest of the hybrid build can be seen in the video links at the end of this one.

I must say I felt SO relieved when it lifted off and felt as responsive and solid as it did with the 2blade MCPX BL head. I love that sensation when something you yourself created operates as hoped for.

Here is the project parts list:

** C186 **
Lower frame portion (modified)
Body shell (modified)
Rotor head (modified)
Tail motor wire harness
Landing skids
Main gear

** MCPX BL **
Upper frame portion (modified)
Control board
Linear servos (x3)
Servo pushrods (x3)
Lower swash plate (modified)
Main brushless motor 6700kV
Tail brushless motor 8100kV
Tail rotor
Carbon fiber rotor mast (modified)

** K124 **
Blade grips including links (x4)
Feathering stub shafts (x4)
Main rotor blades (x4)
Upper swash plate and bearing (modified)


It's been a long trip making this work as a proper collective pitch 4rotor helicopter instead of operating like a wifi drone. When you have to order parts from the other side of the world instead of just visiting your local hobby shop (now extinct for me), getting things together can take weeks instead of days or even hours.

Gotta love the hobby! OK. I am declaring the C186/MCPXBL/K124 Frankenstein project a success. The monster LIVES! Thanks for sticking around. I am ready to move on at last to a new project.

Maybe a Bride of Frankenstein? ;)

Happy flying!