The Skylark EH-1 was the 1st Electric RC Helicopter in the world. How it began, FAILS, and my ETRM.

[@CoeShow619]

Thanks for this video. I grew up like this and no ones knows what we went through. It’s just too easy now days. Back then it was a must to know the machine. Thanks.

[@NightFlyyer]

You are so right, and no one these days except us old pioneers, knows it. Thanks so kindly and happy flying.

[@jongonegone1262]

those were the days, that was cool.

[@NightFlyyer]

They were. Thanks kindly.

[@DCT_Aaron_Engineering]

G’day Dave. I’ve been a subscriber for many years. Love the effort you put into your videos mate. Excellent background history and photos of nostalgia. Thanks again. Aaron (Melbourne Australia). PS: you did very well flying that heli in that wind and with no gyro 👍

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks so kindly and hello down under. I appreciate you.

[@Viper81BB]

Another great video and lot of informations about history of rc helicopters. Greetinggs!

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks very much, Viper!

[@frisos3944]

Wow fascinating to see where we’ve come from! That took some great skill, hats of sir!

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks kindly. I appreciate you.

[@malakiblunt]

Thank you so much for sharing -I rember seeing a photo of those twin motors in a 80's magazine ! Its such a good looking bird - im glad to know they could actually fly well- sounds good too with out the screaming 2stroke

[@NightFlyyer]

For sure. Thanks so kindly.

[@hansiyoutube534]

Absolutely awesome to see the Sky-Lark model in action! I do have my own Sky-Lark in the shed (my Dad built it in 1981) but it hasn't flown for 10 years. But the Sky-Lark heli sure got me into flying R/C helis as well as into flying scale 1:1 helis. Maybe the 'key' modification for myself was not so much the T/R belt but the design of my own MOS-FET based speed controller with a built in BEC. It saved lots of weight and gave me much better control of M/R thrust in the hover. I of course crashed more times than I can count but I got there in the end! My first un-tethered flight with a NiCd got me my first introduction into translational lift effect! Great memories.

[@NightFlyyer]

Great to hear that. Speed controls made the difference for sure. Thanks and Happy flying.

[@fa046192]

I have been flying RC planes and helicopters since 1973, but could no longer fly a helicopter without a gyroscope, a man from my flying club from that time invented the electric tail motor ALEX VAN DE ROSTEYNE, he is now chairman of the EEKLOSE model flying club here in Belgium. I only fly Easy Star from MPX and Alaign 450 T-rex, after 51 years I keep flying very modestly and relaxed at home behind my house where I have a lot of space. I have given free model flying training here for 30 years, one student per year.

[@NightFlyyer]

Right on that’s great to hear. Yes I mentioned Alexander in the video and in my last video where I restored the Piccolo that HE Sent me years ago. Thanks and happy Flying.

[@Johnellenberger1]

Wow, Very interesting how things evolved over ther years!

[@NightFlyyer]

For sure. Thanks kindly!

[@joecserna]

Thank you, Dave!

[@NightFlyyer]

Right on Joe. And thank you as well.

[@design2survive]

This is absolutely incredible! Thanks for sharing this one!

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks so kindly!

[@arturosierra413]

Incredible You history My friend , congrats and My admiration

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks very much. I appreciate you Aruturo.

[@franks.jr.7236]

Great video!

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks very much.

[@FarmerFpv]

Dave you are a treasure to this hobby. So glad you are healthy and posting videos.

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks so much. So far so good. Happy flying.

[@Larry194472]

Dave, you are a Living Legend. Our beloved hobby owes a lot to you.

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks so kindly, Larry. I appreciate you.

[@leonbroekharst4724]

Super video ❤❤❤

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks so kindly.

[@pointnozzleaway]

Great Stuff, Thank you for sharing this !

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks so kindly and your welcome. Fly easy.

[@hekikuu]

I would love to have a (remake) of the Skylark!

[@NightFlyyer]

Me too. Thanks kindly.

[@camdynkellett6782]

Thanks for sharing this incredible experience!

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks so kindly.

[@RCCopterLove]

This is unbelievable! Thanks for contributing so much to our beautiful hobby and thanks for this wonderful video, Dave. I can't even imagine how difficult it must have been to tale this machine off and get it to fly without any gyros. I started flying CP helis in 2021 with a Blade 230S V2 and thought it was tough to fly this heli without self level od Safe mode, however they name it. Now I know that it is probably a joke to fly the 230S compared with this very first electric heli! You have my eep resepct! It was so good to see that you were able to land this machine when both tail issues appeared live on video! Best greetings!!!

[@NightFlyyer]

I appreciate you and your comments. Great to hear your story. Thanks so kindly.

[@EnternalFlamez]

That helicopter is old enough to be my dad !

[@NightFlyyer]

LOL. Thanks.

[@NightFlyyer]

The Skylark EH-1 was the 1st Electric RC Helicopter in the world. How it began, the Failures, and my ETRM.

[@Lhcc-x7b]

Hola!! Nice saludos mi hermano excelente helicóptero, me ha llamado mucho la atención su rotor principal de paso fijo, tengo algunas imágenes desde hace mucho tiempo de ese helicóptero saludos amigo mío, espero seguir disfrutando de tus videos...

[@DJpowito]

@@Lhcc-x7b Igualmente!!!Conosco a este señor, desde muchos años, y es una grande y linda personna!!Un saludo desde Suiza!!

[@NightFlyyer]

@@Lhcc-x7b Thanks so kindly. I appreciate you. Happy flying.

[@NightFlyyer]

@@purrple.shadows No. Sorry.

[@elpunto231]

Its so nice hear you explain how itbwas back in the time..and show us how hobby use to be...🇸🇮

[@NightFlyyer]

Right on. I appreciate that. Thanks kindly.

[@MrBvbike]

Again, awesome video! Keep them coming Dave!😎

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks very much. I'll try.

[@EverydayKindaGuy]

I cut my teeth on an LMH 110... LOVED it. So much so that I bought a second one and converted it to electric, prior to them releasing their own version.

[@NightFlyyer]

Right on. In my quest to fly my helis all one more time, I'm 77, I have been making videos on them 1 by 1. Here is the one I recently made on the Lite Machines 110. Hope you enjoy it. Thanks kindly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXzMXp2JjN2FpK8

[@EverydayKindaGuy]

@@NightFlyyer those were great machines. You had to screw up pretty badly with them to break them more than what was field fixable with enough glue. The only issue I ever had was that they were prone to boom strike. Was easy enough to make a blade skip shield though.

[@RAM512]

Dave... How special it is to see and hear the history that you brought to us!! I still have two Hyper flies in mint condition. I had a blast back in the day flying them! After that I got a Kyosho Electronic heli, still have it also! Thank you for the memories

[@NightFlyyer]

Right on. Great to hear that. I just make a video on the Hyperfly's last week, you may enjoy. Thanks kindly.

[@RAK402]

I remember flying one of those tethered back when they were new. I knew Cliff at Condor at the time, as well as John Lund who was a good friend for years. I had a sample of the Ishimasa Playboy from Cliff-I flew it a great deal but eventually sold it (I wish I had kept it). Great video!

[@NightFlyyer]

Yes, Cliff Rausin and I were good friends. I also spent a lot of money at Condor Hobbies in Costa Mesa over the years! LOL. Could never get Cliff to stop smoking, but he was a good dude and we sold lots of these EH-1's. Thanks much.

[@RAK402]

@@NightFlyyer He was a good guy. I remember when he got the Kavan inventory. Several of us used to get together and buy Kavan ball links in quantity to replace the white Hirobo links that came with the Cricket and the regular Hirobo machines. Again, great video and I look forward to more sir.

[@NightFlyyer]

@@RAK402 Thanks again.

[@Raptor50aus]

Another great video Dave, I was watching this video while I was hovering my ERC Jetranger in my lounge. They fly excellent. Man we get it easy these days. At least I flew nitro helis back in the early 90's

[@NightFlyyer]

Glad to hear you were a nitro guy too. Thanks kindly and happy flying.

[@FastAsFunk]

Wow, the Skylark looked like a real handful. Thanks for showing it to us Dave...!

[@NightFlyyer]

It took a bit of finagling, but flew pretty good for the first one, once I understood it. Thanks much.

[@bluesout3]

wow, Way back in 1981 I bought one on a back street in Hong Kong ! Put it together and plugged it in and SHAZAM straight to the low cealing in my apartment , then off to the book case , finiall upside crunch on the floor at my feet , gasped a couple of times .So as I type this story to you I can still look at her sittin with the rest of my rc stuff (former wacko for the stuff) I never flew it again as the prop was in parts so no repairs possible. Thanks for the video and the history Cheers. cheers from Portugal .

[@NightFlyyer]

Oh, that is a bummer. Quite the story and thanks for sharing. Thanks kindly and happy flying.

[@gutsymovies]

When I was in the 8th grade I designed and built my own electric helicopter using gears from an RC car. The main drive mechanism worked great but the swashplate was poor and the tail drive gears were inadequate. It did't have enough power to lift into the air. I saved up some money and bought a Skylark EH-1 from Condor Hobbies probably around 1982 or so. It was fantastic and I enjoyed it or many hours. By the way I flew it with a Kraft Sport Series 4 ch AM radio. Today I have 2 complete EH-1 kits in mint condition and 2-3 complete used airframes/parts one of which has been restored for display. The EH-1 Skylark is probably one of my favorite bits of childhood nostalgia. Great to see yours flying here! Eventually I would trade up for a Kalt Baron 28, GMP Cobra (50) that I converted to King Cobra (60), Heim Star Ranger, and Miniature Aircraft X-Cell 60 mark 1. Eventually I would help develop the Lite Machines EH-1 "micro" helicopter (at the time) as test pilot and designer powered by a Cox 0.049 and eventually Novel motor from Russia. If you happen to run across any of the Lite Machines promotional videos back in the day that is me on the controls.

[@NightFlyyer]

Great to hear your story and all the helis you had. I just have been flying all my helis 1 by 1 for maybe the last time....I'm 77, and one of them was the Lite Machines 110. Check it out if you have time and thanks so kindly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXzMXp2JjN2FpK8

[@gutsymovies]

@@NightFlyyer you have inspired me to get a Skylark Flying again and I have a few Kalt Baron helis and one of those needs to fly. I'll check out your Lite Machines video and keep up the good work.

[@saito125]

I bought a Skylark kit in February 1981 at the J Nichols store in London. It attacked me in the maiden flight and cut off my tx antenna. Never again left the closet, LOL

[@NightFlyyer]

Yikes, Not supposed to happen! Thanks and stay safe.

[@saito125]

@@NightFlyyer I'd never flown a heli before then.. lots of planes, but first heli. 100% clueless LOL...

[@pierauspitz]

When you hear the Master himself go "Oh god!", you know that the "it's a handful" remark was probably an understatement. But what a beautiful machine! Thanks for the great videos and teaching!

[@NightFlyyer]

Haha. You got it. Thanks much!

[@andrewczski1969]

😁👍Today, went to a Chinese American family's house today, where one little girl visiting sought refuge from teasing in the garage. These kids' parents, many who can't speak a lick of english, are kept in tight circles void of hobby experience. Felt bad for the girl, who never caught a fish, but today- small bass off plastic worm. Further- I brought my 550 with FPV cam onboard/goggles, plus 2 skid-mounted roman candles. I don't have kids but it's irreplaceable when a kid dejected gets to experience such things when otherwise....who knows. Before I went home and got the 550, I asked her if she'd like to fly in a helicopter. 😂She didn't complain after the helicopter landed.

[@NightFlyyer]

That's impressive for a girl to fly a helicopter successfully the first time. Good on you.

[@andrewczski1969]

@@NightFlyyer Haha, sorry. She caught bass first time fishing. I flew the 550 while she watched through the FPV goggles. And actually had to yell at her a bit as she was going too close to the the heli during spool-down.

[@hobo1452]

Back in the early 80's, my first RC heli was the GMP Cricket. Only had one short flight followed by a spectacular crash, but that's when the bug bit me, and I am still flying today. As others have stated, Dave is both an icon and a treasure trove of knowledge in this segment of the RC world. I have enjoyed these 'blast from the past' videos.

[@NightFlyyer]

So glad you liked this and are still flying today. Gorham helis were pretty popular back in the day. Thanks so kindly and happy flying.

[@DanoSlingz]

❤Very cool! I just got my first chopper today. Bell 206 C138. It's a little breezy outside today so I flew it in the house. Hopefully tomorrow it flies for real. Thanks for your cool video. 😎 ✌️

[@NightFlyyer]

Right on. Happy flying. Thanks.

[@anthonywalker2306]

Great history lesson on where our current electric helis progressed from, and thank you for having so much to do with it.

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks very kindly. I appreciate you.

[@ChrisFu7]

Great series, Dave. You should look up something we designed and built at Bell on a flying demonstrator 429 called EDAT. It's sort of the ultimate progression of your scale model ETRM

[@NightFlyyer]

Haha. That is overkill for sure. LOL Thanks.

[@cyberbeefpv2810]

I love Rc history! Thanks!

[@NightFlyyer]

I love that you watched. Thanks much.

[@abrampl]

I was born in 1978, Poland. I had a dream to get that kind of toy when I was 12+ ... The world of RC toys pictured in 1980 or 1987 graupner prospects was outstanding when I saw them in early 1990... found in trash ;) somewhere in Warsaw

[@NightFlyyer]

That's a story for sure. Thanks so kindly.

[@onazram1]

Very interesting Dave!

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks kindly.

[@hotshotrooster415]

When I was a kid I'm 27 now so I guess to Mr Herbert I'm still a kid but I had one of the Air Hogs helicopters the original stinger Havoc heli and one of the features that I liked about it for a miniature helicopter was an electric coreless motor for the tail rotor and I had no idea until today that this KZbinr right here invented it 40 years ago

[@chrismofer]

I'm fascinated by this one. I recently came in posession of a Kyosho Concept EP that i will restore. thanks for posting!

[@NightFlyyer]

They flew good. Have fun and happy flying. Thanks so kindly.

[@kahmed7328]

Simply amazing stuff!!! Loved it!!

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks much.

[@M14armorer]

Absolutely priceless video, especially for the kids flying today. Thank you so much for all you have done for the hobby!

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks very much. Yes, I make these for the new folks, so they can see. If we forget the past, we will repeat in the future at some point. Thanks again.

[@caseMasterxL]

Nice that you can make use of modern lithium-polymer batteries and fly untethered. That helicopter model is a real beauty, thanks for sharing.

[@NightFlyyer]

Yes, sure better than a 2 minute untethered flight on NiCds, but back then, that was great to us. Thanks kindly.

[@brunod2105]

always enjoy seeing these old machines fly, thank you for sharing 🥰

[@NightFlyyer]

Your welcome and thanks kindly.

[@gerardpalmer4185]

Wow.👍

[@truenaturestormers2525]

Wow that was so Amazing, nice flight Night Flyer, that, was cool. 009

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks very kindly!

[@michaelwhinnery164]

Fantastic stuff my friend I love all the vintage RC products. It's fascinating to me looking back at the struggles and equipment that was available or engendered for this hobby back in the day. Not sure if you are familiar wit the DJI products today and just what they can do straight out of the box but they are amazing. This was a fantastic post wow that was cool watching that beautiful bird take flight again.

[@NightFlyyer]

That is great to hear. Yes, I have many videos on the DJI, including the very first Phantom, where I shut off the TX to see if if would return to home. I also have videos on all 3 of the minis, my fav, not the Pro 4. Thanks very kindly and fly easy.

[@philkennedy342]

Really enjoyed that just shows how things have moved on to what we have now thanks for sharing👍👍👍

[@3DMOFO2020]

Bravo Dave👏👏👏👏👏👏 I wonder what size lipo did you use to power this vintage electric helicopter?? Looking forward in seeing that old school video coming up next time Dave may you Ilea have a safe and Happy Labor Day😁😁

[@NightFlyyer]

Great to hear. I am using an 11.1 2200 LiPo. Way better than the original 9.6v NiCds. Long run times too. I appreciate you. Thanks Cue!

[@3DMOFO2020]

@@NightFlyyer Ditto Dave thanks for the quick reply to my question also.

[@rc-fannl7364]

Interesting story again. Just a bit of a shame the volume of the audio varies a lot at times. Like at 4:35 it's much lower than around 4:39 when it suddenly gets louder

[@NightFlyyer]

Yes, I must've screwed up.

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

Man I'm surprised the RX tolerated all the noise coming off that rheostat.

[@NightFlyyer]

In the early days of AM and FM, it did a lot. We used lots of capacitors on the motors. But this one is flying with and ORX RX on 2.4, so no interference. Thanks kindly.

[@rcguss]

Thanks for sharing another great piece of rc history, luckily I own one of these heli's that was passed on the me by a dear friend that taught me so many things about our hobby we enjoy so much. Looking forward to seeing the Kavan Shark40 video! Take care mate.

[@reginalp1997]

These are the things I like when the Brain just keep on going at our age, just like riding a bike.

[@NightFlyyer]

Haha. For sure. Thanks.

[@t.iapsingh5651]

Just shows you not much has changed in RC helicopter technology since like the barebones are still the same

[@NightFlyyer]

Bare bones for sure, but electronic technology and really made it easy to learn today. Thanks.

[@wingtang1180]

EH1 with Lipos flies a tad on the light side.

[@NightFlyyer]

Yes, a bit lighter and it shows in this wind. But it sure fly's longer.

[@RC_Heli_chan]

Ishimasa built a prototype Skylark equipped with 11 engines, but it was never released

[@NightFlyyer]

Wow, they never told me about that one.

[@radarmusen]

Wow so long time back there was electric helicopters, the first I had was a e-sky and I was a terribly pilot, but it was fun.

[@derpreue3947]

Dave as always great travel in time with you … Shame that Feds and FAA are killing innocent RC hobby …

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks so kindly. And your right.

[@jasonmorgan661]

You make it look so simple😢

[@NightFlyyer]

With over 60 years of heli flying, I'm still learning with every flight. Thanks so kindly.

[@jasonmorgan661]

@@NightFlyyer i went from rc to n scale trains.. there whats best when the weather stinks. Im in Davie fl so lots of rain. Thank you for sharing an important part of rc history. Ps i love the small helicopters❤😊 i lost 2 to the wind.😅

[@NightFlyyer]

@@jasonmorgan661 That is great. I love trains. We fly Aerofly RC 10 online on Thurs nights in the winter, so maybe you might consider flying with us. Thanks again.

[@jamesm568]

I still fly my blade 450 3D with its fly bar.

[@NightFlyyer]

That is great to hear. I've many Blade 400 videos on my channel and that was one of the best early helis. Thanks and happy flying.

[@jamesm568]

@@NightFlyyer Had to change out the gyro, but other than that it's been a great heli.

[@oldmandoingstuff8997]

For Me,,, its good to be 5 mistakes high an go full no Assistance with the blades, Gettin a little better. Great for the old Brain Nuerons. At 65 yo, An Just a year or 2 with Blade Heli's How spoiled am I with Safe, as3x, gyros, lol.

[@NightFlyyer]

Right on. Happy flying. Thanks.

[@davidharrington956]

I knew it all the Kool people come from Orange country. I'm designing a tailroter for a electric helicopter in two days. Orange county ,can't afford that place any more. I remember every one was just making things designing things, not anymore. Maybe it's because I'm not in Orange county anymore more . Ha,ha. Kool helicopter . What else's have you done?