11/10/2025
🚁 Unique Opportunity: Full-Scale RC Model Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe "Penelope" 🚁
Spectacular, Flight-Ready Giant for the True Enthusiast (Custom Built)
Due to circumstances, I must, with a heavy heart, offer my life's work for sale: a flying, scale RC model of the Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe (Skycrane), affectionately named "Penelope". This model was entirely designed and built in-house, and is constructed to a scale that is rarely seen.
The model is flight-ready, but still requires detailing and finishing work to achieve perfection. This is the ultimate challenge for the scale model builder who wishes to own a unique, flying masterpiece and attention-grabber.
Specifications of the Giant - See pictures
Special Features & Included Components
Custom Design: One-of-a-kind, unavailable anywhere else. A testament to engineering and building craftsmanship.
Fully Flying: The model is proven flight-worthy.
High Level of Detail: Highly detailed scale construction with visible rivets, scale cockpit with two pilot figures, and replica turbine exhausts (see photos).
Landing Gear: Scale landing gear with dual wheels.
Component Case: A robust transport case containing a set of powerful LiPo batteries and/or other essential electronics for the drive (as seen in the photos).
What is still needed for Perfection?
The model is flight-ready, but the enthusiast can still invest sufficient time in:
Final cosmetic finishing (paint, weathering, small details).
Potential optimization of the electronics, which may be somewhat outdated.
Installation of the internal container/cargo system, which was started but not finalized.
💰 Pricing and Valuation
It is exceptionally difficult to set an asking price for a fully custom-built scale model of this size and complexity. This is not a kit; the price incorporates hundreds of hours of design, engineering, and construction.
Valuation Estimate:
Material Costs (excluding RC components): For a model of this size, this can quickly amount to € 3,000 to € 5,000 or more (fuselage material, mechanical parts, handmade scale parts).
High-Quality RC Components: The high-end components (main rotor mechanics, servos, motors, and the LiPo battery set) represent a value of at least € 4,000 to € 6,000 or more.
Design & Build Hours: This is the greatest value. Designing and building a unique, flight-worthy scale model of this magnitude is a project of hundreds to thousands of hours.
Reference: A new, ready-to-fly model of this scale, built on commission, would easily cost € 20,000 to € 35,000 or more.
Asking Price: € 15,000
Serious offers will be considered.
This model is only for sale to an enthusiast who understands the value and complexity of this project.
Contact & Viewing
This model must be seen in person!
Location: Lemele
Contact: Machiel Broekman
Phone / Email: [email protected]
Only serious inquiries from experienced scale model builders and pilots.
