FLIGHTTEST
BY JOHN GILMORE PHOTOS BY JOHN REID
Kyosho
CALIBER 700
A bit bigger than a . 30 and smaller than a . 50, this high-quality
electric heli is a perfect fit
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KYOSHO’S CALIBER 700, a 40-class electric heli, is a perfect-size model for those
who want the ease and cleanliness of electric flight, a more stable platform than the
much smaller 450- and 500-class helis and
don’t want to invest in expensive batteries,
motors and electronics needed for bigger
models. Built with the sport, 3D and precision flyer in mind, the Caliber 700 provides
a control system that is easily tailored to
your personal flight preferences and has
features that are usually associated with
much more expensive models.
For the power system, I used a Hacker
A40 series A40-8L 8-pole brushless motor
with Hacker’s X Pro series X- 70 speed controller. This combination provides both
spectacular power that will please even
hardcore 3D pilots and a rewarding flying
experience for any style of flying. When
used with dual Team Orion Avionics
4000mAh 30C LiPo batteries in a saddle-pack configuration, this power system
matched the stock gearing of the kit perfectly.
UNIQUE FEATURES
The Caliber 700 uses a belt drive between
the engine and the counter shaft to transfer
power to both the belt-driven tail and the
gear-driven main shaft, which provides a
very smooth power transfer from the motor
to the main shaft/tail. This eliminates the
harsh power transfers usually associated
with direct gear-to-gear systems that are
used in many other electric helis. Kyosho
uses a wide and very flexible belt that can
be run quite loose without any slipping for
very little drag.
In this model, the front servo tray has
been designed to be very light, but flex free.
The tray has multiple “chambers” to mount
servos and electronics that, in the event of
a crash, are lightweight and give excellent
protection for your high-dollar electronics.
SPECIFICATIONS
NAME OF HELICOPTER: Caliber 700
MANUFACTURER: Kyosho
( kyoshoamerica.com)
DISTRIBUTOR: Kyosho America
MAIN ROTOR DIAMETER:
48. 25 in.
WEIGHT:
8 lb., 2 oz.
MOTOR: Hacker A40-8L 8-pole brushless
SPEED CONTROL: Hacker X Pro X- 70
RADIO REQ’D:
6 channel
PRICE: $410
HIGHLIGHTS
■ Great instructions and easy to build
■ Push-pull linkages on all flight controls
(including the tail)
■ Precise multilink tail control system
■ Saddle-pack battery configuration
THE CALIBER 700 IS
VERY STABLE AND
PREDICTABLE IN BOTH
ALTITUDE TRANSITIONS
AND LATERAL
MOVEMENTS
