WELCOME TO HELIWORKSHOP
EXPERIENCE. CRAFTSMANSHIP. SERVICE
MARK SMITH
EXPERT BUILDER AND PILOT, MARK SMITH, BRINGS YOUR HELICOPTER IMAGINATION TO LIFE.
My interest in things that fly began when I was around 10 years old. I had seen multiple model aircraft in different magazines in school and I was intrigued by them. I found myself attracted to anything mechanical and anything that involved a lot of parts. I taught myself how to fix bicycles and make wooden go-carts out of 2x4’s and wooden milk crates. Then, things got interesting. At age 12, I met a guy flying U control and I soon purchased my first model plane and flew fixed wing for 15 years. Fast forward to the mid eighties when I met a guy who took me to an all-helicopter hobby shop. I was hooked! The following week I came in and bought my first helicopter; a Schluter Heli Star. I built it on my own, purchased a set of training gear, and taught myself how to hover. After several years of building and flying pod-and-boom helicopters I found my true calling — scale helicopters. Over the past decade alone, I’ve have built and flown 45 different scale models and finished 1st-3rd in multiple scale competitions. I am also a Vario Helicopter Team Pilot and beginning in July 2021 a US Vario distributor with the product knowledge and build support you need.
CIVIL & COMMERCIAL
These models range from the slick Bell 430 to news and corporate helicopters. Of course, a simple change in livery and scale accessories allows you transform a helicopter into whatever you want. These models can go either way.
MILITARY
Military helicopters are distinctive and menacing! Vario has a nice selection of these in different scales. Police often use what you might otherwise classify as a civilian helicopter. The only difference lies in the scale details you add to the model.
RESCUE, EMS & UTILITY
Certain helicopter models, like the Lama, are used almost exclusively for utility purposes. In addition, large-cabin models like the EC-135 and Bell 429 often find their place among EMS helicopters. Vario has a wide selection of these models.
BUY ACCESSORIES
THE FINEST ALUMINUM BLADES.
Unparalleled precision, balance, flex and finish.
WHETHER YOU ARE COMING FROM POD & BOOM, SPORT SCALE HELICOPTERS OR SMALLER SCALE MODELS, ELEVATING TO 2+ METER HELICOPTERS (TURBINE OR ELECTRIC) CAN BE INTIMIDATING. TAKE A MOMENT AND WE WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE JOURNEY.
YOU BUILD. WE PAINT.
Many modelers love every aspect of building — except one — sanding, priming and painting! Preparing and painting a model demands considerable time and experience. We understand that many modelers simply do not have the facilities or the skills to accomplish this at the caliber demanded by an expensive model. Relax. We can handle it for you.
YOU DREAM IT AND WE CAN BUILD IT FOR YOU
YOU DREAM IT AND WE CAN BUILD IT FOR YOU
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING