Another mad scientist build by the DOGGe. This time I was inspired when I spotted a body shell for an Esky F150 "Airwolf" (EDIT: correction, Bell 222) beginner helicopter. What if I could fit the "works" from a Blade Nano CPX 3D heli in that body shell? I had to try.

Well, when the body shell arrived I was mildly shocked to see how tiny it was. Would this still work? I had just purchased a pair of NCPX S2 heli's to tinker with and possibly restore, so I use the parts from one of those for test fitting.

No way. The control board stands upright on the front of the Nano frame and is much taller than the F150 body. And the width of everything was just too much. Then I had the idea to bring out one of my fixedpitch MSRX heli's to have a looksee. The MSRX has a lowprofile control board on the left side of the frame and was low enough to fit inside the shell.

I had to make some cutouts in the bottom to clear the main gear, but that was no problem. The cutout on the left side to clear the roll axis servo is more noticeable on display, but this bird is so tiny that I don't even notice it when in flight.

I did a nervous but successful testover outside on a windy day but managed to keep it in the air. The feel was solid and spot on, just like a stock MSRX.


I always wanted the Esky F150 just because it looks so cool, but the huge dead zone in the stick control of it's tail rotor drives me crazy. You have to move the left stick through 50% of it's travel before the tail swings around.

Now with the MSRX control board I can use my Spektrum DX61 transmitter, which is MUCH More enjoyable to use versus the stock Esky TX. I have dual rates and expo and more programmability now too. PLUS the MSRX is more maneuverable and faster than the Esky bird. More fun! Best of both worlds!


THIS VIDEO is of the first test hover to see if it was stable and controllable. It flew better than hoped. I see no further work needed on it. The MSRX F150 build is a success!

HAPPY FLYING ALL!