1970's Futaba M6 27Mhz radio gear

This is my Futaba M6 27Mhz radio, which was bought in 1974...

The price new was £200 - that was nine or ten average weeks' wages ! ! !

The set came with:

* rechargeable AA batteries in the transmitter

* a battery box with rechargeable AA batteries for the receiver

* Four FD16M servos - two black label - two red

* Moulded cradles to hold servos for fitting into a model

* A switch harness

* Six pairs of crystals

* Six coloured frequency ribbons

* The removable transmitter aerial

* A mains overnight charger

* Alternative push-on stick ends

* A 'leatherette' neck strap

* A 'buddy lead'

As can be seen, it is still in fairly good condition :D

I am, however, in the process of re-wiring and converting it - so I can use a 3000mah 3S2P lipo.

I used this for aeroplanes many years ago - but since the early eighties, I have used it only with model boats... as 35Mhz was introduced - for radio controlled aircraft ONLY - in 1981.

I have some servos from this set in boats, two in the original box ( unused at the moment ) and also another two - as in the picture.

The two Acoms AS-7 servos in the picture have Futaba M-series servo plugs soldered on.

They are slightly more powerful and faster than the FD16M servos.

I have a total of eight cream-coloured 6-channel receivers for use with this transmitter - and also a later black one - which is still in it's case, and has never been used.

ALL Futaba 27Mhz AM receivers ( irrespective of age, numbers of channels, or servo plug type ) will work with this transmitter. :D

I know which receiver is my original - because it has my mum's blue 'sewing velcro' glued onto it. ;)

The others I have bought since...

The left of the two switches on top of the transmitter is for retracting undercarriage.

The right switch is a replacement for the original push-and-hold button - to enable another modeller to control your model when using the 'buddy lead'...

That button got tiresome to hold... so I replaced it !

When the switch is pushed back - control is with that transmitter.

It is easy for the 'student pilot' to fly with the switch pulled forward using his/her transmitter - and for me to simply knock back the switch ( if the 'student' is in 'trouble' ) to quickly have control again...! :)

Note that I am no 'expert' pilot (!)... and that modellers with this type of radio are extremely rare ! ;)