BK 117 1:7 – Fuselage Kit

The “small BK 117” from VARIO is a 700 size scale helicopter. You can power this remote-controlled model helicopter with gasoline (benzin) or electric propulsion. Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) is the creator of the man-carrying version and Airbus Helicopters produces this helicopter. For VARIO’s 700 BK 117 we recommend a maximum main rotor speed of 1500 rpm. Electric drive sets from VARIO are already tuned to this head speed.

Select one of the following drive types:

Benzin Mechanics

The benefit of a gasoline helicopter is a robust, easy-to-use engine for long flight times. The fuel is available at every petrol station (2-stroke mix). Kit Ord.No. 7002 contains the bulkheads for the gasoline mechanics. If the engine noise in flight does not disturb you, you will enjoy this classic drive system for model making.

Electric Mechanics 1002/80

Our propulsion recommendation for this helicopter! Contemporary mechanics, especially designed for the scale model electric flight. The mounting points in the fuselage are identical to those of the petrol engine. Therefore, the mechanics can be used in almost all kits that also fit the petrol mechanics of VARIO (in this case Ord.No. 7002). Electric motors are quiet, low-vibration, without exhaust gases and residual thrust. The blade slap noise of the rotor blades is more noticeable than with other types of propulsion and the result is a true-to-life impression in flight. For this electromechanical system we offer a drive set for 12S LiPos.

Electric conversion of the Benzin mechanics

Use kit Ord.No. 7002 for conversions of the petrol mechanics to electric motor drive. The strong and rigid aluminum side frames from the petrol mechanics are very suitable for the powerful electric motors being used in model helicopters today. Electric motors provide very quiet operation with low vibration, and no exhaust gases or oily mess to clean up. Model flights are much more realistic without the noise of the petrol engine, and the electric drive is so quiet that even the sound of the rotor blades can be heard in flight. Electric conversions are easy to accomplish using the suitable VARIO drive sets to achieve the optimum system speed for the 87:21 ratio. You may choose between 10S or 12S LiPo battery cells when selecting the conversion drive set that will be right for you.

Skyfox-Electric Mechanics

The Skyfox mechanics is a classic VARIO original product. Where glow plug nitro engines used to be, today a small, powerful electric motor drives your rotorcraft. Skyfox, that stands for lightness as it is desired in electric flight resulting in longer flight times. The kit with Ord.No. 7001 contains the frames for the Skyfox mechanics. For this electromechanical system we offer a drive set for 10S LiPos.

X-Treme-Electric Mechanics

Light and torsion-resistant electro-mechanics derived from the proven variant for nitro based fuels. The purple anodised aluminium elements are characteristic of this model. Kit Ord.No. 7001 is intended for the installation of these mechanics. Drive sets for 10S and 12S LiPos are available.

Benzin propulsion option – Build suggestion

First build a VARIO petrol trainer (Ord.No. 8311) in the pod and boom configuration and fly, later install the mechanics in your scale fuselage. Advantage: You buy the mechanics components at a reasonable price and can learn the flying characteristics of the Benzin Trainer. The trainer mechanics can be built into all kits for gasoline mechanics or the electric mechanics Ord.No. 1002/80 and 1002/82. If you exchange the Benzin Trainer’s 2-blade head to a multi-blade scale head, the reduction ratio must be adjusted. It is an easy conversion and the VARIO support network is always available to assist with the change.

The flexibilty of the fullsize BK 117 makes it well suited to many different applications. Agile and spacious the BK 117 it flies for the primary use of ambulance services in the EMS, made especially popular by the television series “Medicopter 117”.