Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Helicopters / August 2004

Hi George,

The Mini Boy was around before I started flying helicopters in 1982 so it's
obviously older than that.  By how much, I don't know but we're still
talking well over 20 years.

I've only seen a couple of them way back when and one of them never got off
the ground.  I don't know what the problem was as I was a very raw beginner
at the time.  I have met a number of folks through the years that have flown
them though.

Personally, my concern with this helicopter "is" it's age and that I'd be
very surprised if you could find a parts source, reliable or otherwise.
Since I've never flown one, I can't comment on the Mini-Boy's stability from
personal experience.  What I can tell you is that the first Schluter machine
I owned was a Heli-Star.  It was a mid level machine for Schluter back then
and I thought it was a great flying helicopter.  It was certainly the best
machine I'd flown to date at that time and, it was more advanced than the
Mini-Boy but, compared to the machines we have available these days, even
the relatively inexpensive models, it wasn't that much to write home about.
I can't imagine that the Mini-Boy would be any better.

If you're an experienced pilot and are just curious about the Mini-Boy, I'd
say "go for it!"  My first helicopter was a Horizon and I'd LOVE to find one
in kit form these days to assemble and fly now that I actually know how!  If
you're a relative beginner and are looking for an inexpensive way into
helicopters, I think you'll be disappointed.  It's pretty much a certainty
that the Mini-Boy, especially a 20 year old one, won't fly as well as a used
Raptor or something like it, and spare parts will be, at best, "very" hard
to get hold of.

I'm afraid that any model helicopter that's that old isn't worth anything
unless it's in absolute "mint" condition and then it'll only be worth
something to the very few of us that actually know what it is.  To the rest
of the world, it's just an expensive toy.

Best of luck & Fly Safe,
Steve R.