A Cheap Turbine RC Helicopter?
I know, "Cheap Turbine RC helicopter" is a phrase that not many of us RC heli people conjure up in our collective minds; but Bergen RC Helicopters and Wren Turbines Ltd have a nice little surprise that will allow us mere mortals to perhaps, with a little begging to our better halves, own and fly a very nice turbine RC heli called the Intrepid 44 Magnum. "Cheap Turbine RC Helicopter" is of course a relative term. At just over $5k for the 44 Magnum and new MW44 two stage turbine helicopter power plant, this is still a big ticket purchase; but it is the least expensive turbine RC helicopter kit on the market right now that uses an efficient two stage turbine engine . The fact that it is without question, one of the best performance turbine RC helicopters, capable of full 3D maneuvers (if you have the coconuts to try), is truly amazing. Here's the 44 Magnum Helicopter in action: 
The golden gem sandwiched in the frame of the 44 Magnum is
Wren's new MW44 two stage helicopter turbine engine
.This little turbine only weighs in at 46 oz (1320g) and produces almost 7 hp (6.8 to be exact) at the output shaft. That is only around 1 hp shy of the 8.0 hp that the larger and heavier (73 oz) MW54 Heli engine produces. The MW54 2-stage engine is actually slightly less expensive then the new MW44 2-stage due to the tighter tolerances required in the smaller turbine which make it harder to build. We are talking microns of clearance between the compressor blades and chamber here to attain compression efficiency after all. That is also why the MW-44 is not available in kit form - special tools and procedures required for that kind of assembly precision. Cost savings come into play with the MW44 however since it can be paired with smaller birds such as 90 size nitros or 700 size electrics saving money not only up front on the mechanics, but on operating costs and parts costs. The MW44's gearbox is actually configured to fit onto a standard OS 90 engine mount. This is the main reason the MW44 two stage is one of the most talked about and in demand heli turbines on the market right now. Two stage efficiency, high power, legendary Wren quality and technical support, all rolled into a nice little 12" long package perfectly suited to currently available larger nitros, gassers, and electrics. For the past two years now, I keep saying to myself "this is going to be the year I take the plunge into the world of turbine power" - the 44 Magnum heli kit just made that much more attainable for many of us "turbine RC helicopter dreamers". We will see if 2010 is the year... There is a waiting list for the 44 Magnum kits right now, and Bergen is taking deposits to get on the "list". The Wren MW44's are just so hot (no pun intended). Wren is at full capacity trying to keep up with the demand. If you are lucky enough to get a 44 Magnum helicopter kit, drop me a line . I would love to hear how you like it and how the build went; especially if you are thinking scale one day and manage to find a scale fuselage that fits it. I know the exhaust outlets will be the biggest issue. That along with the rear mounted engine configuration introduces some very difficult scale fuse challenges, that perhaps are impossible to overcome. Scale of course means this won't be a cheap turbine RC helicopter anymore - going scale on large birds never is. Intrepid 44 Magnum RC Helicopter Specs: Length: 54" Wren MW44 Engine Specs Power: 5KW (6.8hp)
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