Brands
E-Sky helicopters
By Paul Walsh Last reviewed
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For a lot of people in the UK, the first proper RC helicopter they owned had "E-Sky" on the box. Between roughly 2006 and 2012 E-Sky's Honey Bee, Lama and Belt-CP were everywhere: cheap, ready to fly, and good enough to get you hooked. RC Mods sold and repaired them throughout that time, and E-Sky parts still make up the largest single group of links to the old site.
This page covers both the classics and what E-Sky sells now. If you have an old one in a cupboard, start with the section on reviving it.
E-Sky in brief
E-Sky is a Chinese manufacturer that made its name with low-cost, ready-to-fly electric helicopters, sold in the UK through model shops and online. The models were never as refined as an Align or a Blade, but they were cheap and parts were plentiful, which made them ideal learners.
Status (checked October 2026): still trading. Current models on sale in Europe include the E-Sky 150 V3 and the E-Sky 300 V2.
The classic range
| Model | Type | What it was like |
|---|---|---|
| Lama (V3, V4) | Coaxial, 4 channel | Very stable indoor helicopter. Many people's first. Hopeless in wind. |
| Honey Bee FP / Honey Bee King | Fixed pitch, flybarred | A single-rotor step up. Twitchy, needed practice, taught real skills. |
| Honey Bee CP2 / CP3 | Collective pitch, flybarred | E-Sky's early 3D-capable small helicopter. Lots of setup to fly well. |
| Belt-CP (and V2) | Collective pitch, belt-driven tail | The budget alternative to a T-REX 450. Popular, fiddly, rewarding. |
| E-Sky Big Lama | Larger coaxial | A bigger, more powerful Lama. |
The differences between coaxial, fixed pitch and collective pitch are explained in coaxial vs fixed pitch vs collective pitch.
The current range
E-Sky's current models are small, flybarless and gyro-stabilised:
- E-Sky 150 V3: an indoor micro (169mm rotor, about 36g, 1S) with 6-axis stabilisation and altitude hold. About €130 in Europe.
- E-Sky 300 V2: a larger fixed pitch flybarless helicopter (332mm rotor, 2S 320mAh). Model Flying's review found it easy and slow, suited to calm outdoor or large indoor spaces.
Both are fair beginner models. Our best RC helicopters for beginners compares them with the alternatives.
Spares for older E-Sky models
E-Sky part numbers on the old RC Mods site took a few forms: EK1- (mechanical parts), EK2- (electronics), EK5- (upgrades), and six-digit stock codes such as 000156-EK1-0000. If you're searching for a part, the EK number is the most useful thing to search for.
- Still findable: main and tail blades, main gears, canopies, landing skids, shafts and bearings, often as compatible parts.
- Hard to find: original 4-in-1 control boards and 35MHz receivers.
- Upgrades: third-party metal parts (Xtreme and others) were sold for the Honey Bee and Belt-CP and still turn up second-hand.
Common problems on older E-Skys
- Spins on take-off or tail won't hold: see tail spinning and tail wag.
- Won't lift or loses power: worn motors or tired batteries; the RC helicopter troubleshooting guide walks through it.
- 35MHz radio: see the next section.
- Vibration: check the blades, then the flybar and main shaft.
Converting an old E-Sky to 2.4GHz
Early Lamas and Honey Bees used 35MHz radios and a combined control board, which makes conversion awkward. Later Belt-CPs with separate servos are easy. The options are in converting a 35MHz model to 2.4GHz.
Should you buy an E-Sky today?
An old one, second-hand: only cheaply, only a Belt-CP or other model with separate servos, and only if you enjoy fixing things. Our checklist for buying a used RC helicopter applies.
A new one: the 150 V3 and 300 V2 are reasonable, but brands such as Blade, RC ERA and OMPHobby have better UK spares support. Check parts availability before you buy any helicopter, since you'll need them.
See all the helicopter makers on the brands page, or head to the RC helicopters hub.
RC Mods is not affiliated with or endorsed by E-Sky.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get Honey Bee and Lama parts?
Some, mostly as old stock or compatible parts on auction sites. Common wear parts such as blades, gears and canopies still turn up; electronics boards are much harder to find.
Is E-Sky still in business?
Yes. E-Sky models such as the 150 V3 and 300 V2 are on sale through European and UK model shops in 2026.
Will a Lama fly outdoors?
Only on a completely still day. Coaxial helicopters like the Lama are light and slow and blow away in the slightest breeze. They were designed for indoors.
What replaced the Belt-CP?
For a first collective pitch helicopter today, look at stabilised flybarless models such as the Blade Revolution 235 CP, Goosky S1 or OMPHobby M1, which are far easier to learn on.