[.uk] Radio Controlled Helicopters: The Guide to Building and ... (ISBN 185486226X)

A real guide for the beginner:
The best thing about this book is that it is really a guide - it gives you all the information you need from the basics, through choosing your first helicopter model to flying and repairing it. After reading it you will feel you know something about this great hobby and be ready to get into it. Plus it's written in understandable and entertaining style so even if you know something about the topic you won't be bored to read about it. The only drawback is the price - 26 dollars for tiny paperback with only black and white pictures is bit too much, so after you open the package you may think you wasted your money. But only until you start to read it. The text is worth the the price for sure.

Out of date and superficial:
The book is a very basic guide. I was dissapointed regarding the level of information - very basic, and the dated nature of the information. The book has not been updated since it's first printing and it is way out of date. Only the cover has been re-done to give the impression that it is much newer than it acutally is. Not Recomended.

more needed:
good book for the most part. however, despite it being reprinted in '04, it is really lacking in up-to-date info for anyone considering electric helis as an entrypoint to the hobby. also, the section on flight simulators is woefully inadequate and in no way reflects what is available today (eg G3, XTR etc). both these two areas have come along in leaps and bounds in the last few years and this book would be more complete if the info were up-to-date. The existence of high-quality simulators with extrememly advanced physics can drastically cut the entry cost for a beginner (i'm talking from experience!) which is an important factor when considering whether or not to take the plunge. that said, it still makes a good read and explains a lot. for those interested in the electric-path here's the latest beginner's guide: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=439635

Dont waste you money!!!:
If your over the age of 8 and have seen a helicopter flying in person you dont need to read this book. Info was relevant in 1981, not so much any more. You will learn more in 1 visit to you local hobby shop, for free.

A good basic guide:
This is a good basic guide to RC helicopters. Because of its age it has little information specific to electric helicopters so it is more useful to those running nitro helis. But even for electric fliers it has good basic info on setup and flight but don't expect too much.