NOTE: THE RC AS 350 MAY BE FOUND ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Aerospatiale AS 350 Ecureuil (Squirrel) is probably best known as a TV News helicopter. It is now being manufactured by Eurocopter. In addition to TV coverage, it has served with the military when equipped with guns, rockets and missiles. The aircraft has also been equipped as an air tanker for retardant and water drops.
The keys to the popularity of the Ecureuil are its low operating costs, ample power, uncomplicated flight systems, and overall responsiveness to control inputs.
This enables its pilots, who are often the news reporters, to be able to concentrate on their camera work while simultaneously operating the helicopter.
For economy of operation, the Ecureuil only requires a crew of one. The helicopter has an outer skin of thermo-formed plastic, for ease of maintenance.
A sensor pod, generally boom mounted just under the nose, is controlled by the pilot, and runs through the front of the cabin. A spotlight, for night camera work, is usually mounted mid-ship, under the helicopter.
A special harness to restrain the camera operator when working from an open door on the side of the aircraft, plus a wide foot rest, help maintain security.
The AS 355 twin engine version of the Ecureuil has engine power reserves and a wider chord tail rotor to allow heavier loads. A heavy duty electrical system in the helicopter can keep up with the power demands of TV reporting equipment. The helicopter uses the same airframe as the AS 350.
A version of the Ecureuil is marketed by Textron in North America under the name Astar. It is powered by a Lycoming engine.
The Aerospatiale AS 350 Ecureuil is sold in 43 countries around the world.
Pictured above and below is the rc AS 350 for sale by MS Composite. It is 1/20 scale with a 22" rotor, and a fuselage length of 21 1/2". A EM 300/34 motor
powers the scale radio control helicopter. Weight is about 14 oz.
The second picture down is rc AS 350 fuselage for sale from Thunder Tiger. It is available in red or blue paint schemes. Length is 54 1/2", width is
15 1/2" and height is 18". It fits the Thunder Tiger R50 and uses .46 to .50 engine power. Weight is around 8 1/2 lbs.
Pictured next is the rc AS 350 fuselage for sale from Vario. It is an eight piece kit that includes the drive shaft system and
is available for Sky Fox mechanics
or Benzin versions. It has a length of 66" with a height of 12 1/2". Rotor diameter can be from 63" to 66". Weight is around 21 lbs.
The bottom picture is the rc AS 350 Ecureuil fuselage for sale for Trex 500 from Skyhunter Hobby. It is 39" long, has a width of 6", and height 9 1/2".
The kit includes the fiberglass body, canopy, stab. and skids.
RC AS 350
MS Composite rc AS 350 Ecureuil.
RC AS 350
Thunder Tiger rc AS 350 Ecureuil.
RC AS 350
The rc AS 350 Ecureuil from Vario.
RC AS 350
RC AS 350 Ecureuil from Skyhunter Hobby.
There is a rc AS 350 fuselage for sale from Graupner. Construction is fiberglass. It is 64 1/2" long, 17" wide and 19" high. Weight is about 10 1/2 lbs.
Darth's Helibodies has a rc AS 350 fuselage for sale in a 450 size.
You will find a rc AS 350 600 size fuselage for sale from Skyhunter Hobby. The painted fiberglass fuselage is 54 1/2" long, 9" wide, and 9 3/4" high. It includes skids, cockpit seats and console.
If you are looking for a 50 size fuselage, check out Century Helicopters. They have a rc AS 350 fuselage for 50 size mechanics in red and blue paint schemes for sale. It is 56" long, 10" wide, and 14" high.
HeliArtist has a rc AS 350 fuselage kit in a 450 size with a police paint scheme for sale. Made from fiberglass, it is 27" long, 5" wide, and 7" high.
SY RC Model, Taiwan, has a rc AS 350 body for sale to fit Gaui 100 mechanics.
There
is a post to RC Groups by robins22 telling that JDM models,
manufacturers of rc AS 350 fuselages is no longer in business.
Please email us about any rc AS 350 that you would like to recommend.
Aerospatiale AS 350 Ecureuil
