Victor Stanzel ElectroMic "Copter" Tethered Helicopter

Stanzel ElectroMic "Copter" Box (top) - Airplanes and RocketsFor most people my age (born in 1958), the first experience with a 'real' flying model helicopter was this ElectroMic "Copter" by Stanzel. I finally acquired one via eBay for a fair price. The "Copter" uses two D-cell batteries in the plastic handle to power a motor, also in the handle, which in turn drives the center wire of a coaxial cable that connects to the helicopter rotor. Flying the Copter is a matter of pressing the power button and then manipulating the handle to direct the model in flight. With fully charged batteries, the helicopter generates a lot of lift and requires angling the control cable downward to prevent the thing from performing the equivalent of a wingover. Forward and reverse flight involve angling the controller left and right. After a few moments of practice, precise control is fairly easy.

 

 

Victor Stanzel ElectroMic 'Copter' in Flight

Below is a video tour of the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum in Schulenburg, Texas

Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum in

Stanzel ElectroMic "Copter" - Airplanes and Rockets

Stanzel ElectroMic "Copter"

Stanzel ElectroMic "Copter" Box (side) - Airplanes and Rockets

Stanzel ElectroMic "Copter" Box (side)

Stanzel ElectroMic "Copter" Box (rear) - Airplanes and Rockets

Stanzel ElectroMic "Copter" Box (rear)

I also ran across this advertisement in the 1969 edition of Montgomery Ward's Christmas catalog. It has not just the helicopter, but also the airplane and Lunar Bug versions. I might have also had the airplane, but definitely not the flying saucer.

Stanzel Electromic Tethered Helicopter Astronauts - Airplanes and Rockets

Stanzel ElectroMic "Copter" Plastic Astronauts are missing from my model (photo from an eBay listing)

Posted December 28, 2015