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The 44th All Japan Plamodel Radicon Show a.k.a. Tokyo Hobby Fair is one of the two bi-annual hobby trade fair in Japan. This fair previewed the latest products that will be released in the coming year. This particular fair spanned three whole days from 2nd to 4th October, 2004. Curiously, this year's Tokyo Show is quite different in its schedule. For the past many years hobby shows in Japan usually span four days - from Thursday to Sunday of a week, with the first two days open to trade only, and the remaining two days open to public. However, this show had its schedule changed to span from Saturday to Monday, with the first two days open to public, and the remaining days open to trade only. A lot of people feel this special schedule is due to the fact that the organizer wanted to directly compete with the Beijing Model Exhibition, which spans from 2nd to 6th October, 2004. If this is the truth, then I'd say Tokyo Show lost their battle big time, as this show has maybe the smallest turnout in its history. Anyway, let's take a look as to what's new and different.
Please note that all photos in this pages are the copyright of Hirobo Limited and Mr. Kobayashi and duplication of ANY photos contained here without their express consent is strictly prohibited.
Futaba once again joined forces with OS, but this time OS did not have anything new for us helicopter pilots.
I'd say the limelight of the whole show is Futaba's long awaited T14MZ, the replacement to their top of the line 9Z radio which have been on the market for years. The 9Z have been through several different versions, each with only minor change to original design. The new T14MZ represents the highest technology that hobby class radio could offer to the market. Major features of the Futaba T14MZ are as follows:
The look of the T14MZ is very "cool", and when turned on the Futaba sign below the antenna will have green backlit, which adds to the cool factor. Details about the transmitter program is not known as of this moment. Like its predecessor, the T14MZ comes in two packages, one for airplane, and another one for helicopters, each with difference in switch arrangement on the transmitter and type of servo included. With such advanced functions, the T14MZ doesn't come cheap. One set of T14MZ that comes with 4 servos is set at a list price of a whopping 294,000yen (About US$2,800-)! These radios is set to be released in December 2004 in domestic Japanese market, while overseas markets should have them by mid 2005.
Besides the T14MZ, Futaba also released the Super FF9, which is an update version of their FF9 released about 3 years ago. The new functions of the Super FF9 as follows:
The Super FF9 comes in four different packages, differentiated by the servos that comes with each package. With the lowest priced package comes with four S3151 or four S3001, middle priced with S9001 and high priced with S9255. The S9255 package also comes standard with a 1,500mah Ni-Cd receiver battery pack, while the other two comes only with 600mah packs. All package comes standard with R149DP PCM receivers, while the R319DPS synthesize receiver is not packaged but available separately. List price for each package are 79,800yen(US$750-), 76,650yen(US$730-), 84,525yen (US$790), and 99,225yen (US$940) respectively.
Another interesting product is the new Futaba GY611 gyro. The GY611 is an update to the already very successful GY601 gyro. What's been changed is the programming to provide better tail holding. The gyro sensor shell is made by metal for better protection and heat shielding. Futaba just showed the gyro and did not release much details about it. There suppose to be a servo to replace the 9251 to couple with this gyro, but the servo is not displayed.
Also released is the S9255 servo, which is targeted for helicopter use and stated to replace the S9252. The S9255 is said to have better holding power and better reliability. Specification of the S9255 is as follows:
Dimension: 40X20X36.6mm
Weight: 55g
Speed: 0.16sec./60 degrees
Torque: 9.0kg/cm
Finally Futaba also released an update version of their charger, the CR2500, which could charge Lithium Ion battery.
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| Futaba T14MZ radio | Futaba T14MZ radio |
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| Futaba T14MZ radio | Futaba GY611 gyro |
For Hirobo, they have quite a few new release products.
Freya EX II is an update version of the Freya EX that has been introduced for two years already. The Freya EX II features the following new designs that is updated from the original Freya WC design:
The EX II is based on belt tail drive, which is different from the pipe drive mechanism of the Freya EX. The suggested list price is 240,000yen (About US$2,200).
Also on display is the Hashimoto's new Blackshark 3 machine that helped him earned the 2004 Japanese Championship once again.
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2004 Japanese Champion medal |
Freya EX II |
On scale side, Hirobo released the EC120 Colibri. The EC120 uses the same mechanics and the fenestron of the Dauphin, and the mechanics is encased into the very sleek Colibri FRP body. Also released is a Bell 222 fuselage for Sceadu, and painted versions of Vertol and Chinook.
As usual, on display are Hirobo's extensive line of scale helicopters and their very successful mini XRB and the XRB SR (Wireless XRB). As with the past show, Hirobo have a little demonstration area for the XRB and the XRB SR, and that area has been visitors' magnet. The wireless XRB is basically using the same mechanics design of the wire controlled version, but the similarity ends there. On mechanical side, the SR features completely redesigned rotor head geometry to provide even better handling then the wired version. Two brushless motor are used to provide power to the SR. Power is from a lithium polymer battery pack underneath the XRB SR. Flight time is around 15-18 minutes on a full charge, which is quite impressive. There are two packages of the wireless XRBs, one could be used with any 5 channels radio, and another package comes with a transmitter. List price of the XRB SR is at JPY52,290 (About US$460-) for the set with transmitter, and at JPY45,990 (About US$390-) for the version without transmitter. At the moment, Hirobo only release the package with transmitter, and they specifically limit circulation by releasing different radio frequency products to different parts of the world to battle those grey market importers that have been damaging the business of official importers worldwide. Stay tuned for a report of the XRB SR review coming later
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Bell 222 for Sceadu |
Painted Vertol |
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Painted Chinook |
XRB Demo booth |
JR officially released the Airskipper 90. the biggest in size of their Airskipper range. As with their Airskipper range, the 90 feature a carbon main frame, and cyclic control system which could let user select either 120 degrees ECCPM control or mechanical mixing control. The rotor head is a plastic one with basic design dates back to the Ergo series. JR also used a dual gear system for tail drive that is very similar to that of Hirobo's DTDS system.
Once again JR display their their new "mini" class electric helicopter, the Parkmite. JR designed the Parkmite as "the Cadillac of mini electric helicopter", as everything of it is either metal or carbon. The main frame is a one piece machined aluminum item that encased everything, much like the Sylphide. The rotor head, swashplate and washout are all metal. A set of carbon main and tail blades are included. Power is transferred from the engine to a very big gear than via a belt to the tail, and it looks like a Henseleit in miniature.... Control is through 120 degree 3 servo ECCPM. While JR did not demostrate the flight of the Parkmite at the show, I think it should have a very good performance for 3D. In addition, JR released a Parkmite power pak that includes motor, Li-Ion battery, ESC and charger.
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| JR Airskipper 90 | JR Parkmite |
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| Parkmite power pak | ¡@ |
Like Futaba, JR Radio Division released an update version of their PCM 9X, named PCM9X II. The additional features of the PCM9X II as follows:
According to JR staff, this PCM9X II is actually the mode 1 version of the XP9303 on sale in USA.
Finally JR once again displayed the top of the line G7000T-SX gyro. The G7000T-SX now dropped the supposed "Super Duper" SX8000G servo, and return to the 8700G servo with a more conventional wires and plug design. Very little details of the G7000T-SX are released, but their list price are 45,150yen a set (About US$420-).
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| PCM9X II | G7000T SX gyro |