Victor Stanzel ElectroMic "Copter" Tethered Helicopter

For 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"

Stanzel ElectroMic "Copter" Box (side)

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

Posted December 28, 2015