[rookieflyer09]

Hi everyone,

After 3 years we finally finished my Hughes 500 scale build.

We maidened the bird last week and after a few minutes of smooth flying, it crashed. We had a failure of the wood blocks holding the frame in the fuse. It looks like the glue or the delamination failed.
I'm just sick about this after all the work we put into it. The heli looked awesome in the air.

The scale fuse was a Hughes MD500D, the frame is a Trex 600 ESP.
http://www.scaleflying.com/MD500D-Fiber ... p_744.html

Has anyone ever heard of this happening before in other scale bodies?

Now I don't know what to do, should I buy another fuse and start over or convert it back to a pod and boom. I love scale helis.

I live in Calgary and really need a scale heli mentor. I haven't been able to find anyone who builds and flies scale helis in Calgary.

Thanks.

[Max]

Link doesnt work.


Really sad to hear that you lost your bird due to a wood quality problem.

If you dont have anyone nearby to help you the internet is your only option.

A couple of guys here have built some really nice scale machines. You need to not be shy and start asking these guys for opinions as you build via a build thread. Don (Keyrigger) and Peter (Gizmoman) have some nice scale helis. There are many more builders, all can help with your questions.

I would definitely get another one. Start a build thread here and post your progress and questions as you go. Here is an example of a good build thread with lots of postings on the build progress: https://www.rccanada.ca/rccforum/showthread.php?t=388178

A build thread like the one above is the best way to get the other experienced scale builders to review your build and offer up some suggestions.

Good luck!

[aceplant00]

http://www.scaleflying.com/MD500D-Fi...ize_p_744.html

[Keyrigger]

First, I am sorry to hear of your crash. They do happen to all of us and you never know when or where it might happen. Some are for the most obscure reasons, others are rather spectacular. I have had a lot of them and yet, I still keep building. I am not too familiar with the Aerodyne kit but have a few comments about the method of putting the main support blocks in with glue, only. It will be a place where the mounting will let go every time.

I would pass this time on the Aerodyne kit and go with a Fun-Key kit as the mounting adaptors are screwed into blind nuts placed under the main floor. There are riser posts that you will secure into place and then your frame directly mounts on those posts. So now, with your new kit, you need to remember what happened just before the chassis tore loose.

The 600E is one of the most popular chassis for the building of scale helicopters out there and the clones are still being made because of the demand for this model. It is notorious for vibrations, especially from the motor. Changing to an updated lower KV motor will cure most of the vibrations very quickly. Resonance is the biggest cause of failure in a model and the large back area of the body is a place where they can easily start.

Methods of dampening can be the inserting of foam blocks in the area behind the chassis, adding a layer or two of extra fibreglass, or putting spray foam in a light layer inside and trimming excess material out. You don't need much as it will stop the body from vibrating. Mounting the upper body can be a pain but when I do mine, I tend to either add wood formers to come down beside the upper chassis or if the chassis is high, cut the installed former so that a cushion of tubing, that I put on the former, makes contact with the frame. This keeps the upper frame positioned but does not transfer additional vibrations to the body.

Get right back at it and enjoy what you started. Take care.

Don

[rookieflyer09]

Thanks Max, appreciate the kind words. Crashing is never a fun thing especially after 3 years of work.

I never thought of a build thread, that's a really good idea. The first thing I'm going to do is post pictures of the damage. Hopefully I can get you guys to take a look and make suggestions.

Thanks again,
Dino

[rookieflyer09]

Thanks Don appreciate it.

Where can buy a Fun Key fuselage? This fuse sounds much more secure than the Aerodyne fuse. Basically the wooden base is just balsa wood I think. It really doesn't give you much support at all.

Thanks for your suggestions.
Dino

[Keyrigger]

They can be purchased from Leisure Tech Canada and you can find info on them from orders@leisuretech.ca. You will find a number of my build threads here and there are more from others. You can find a huge amount of tips and info that help you build a much better model and you will be really pleased with the final outcome. Take care.

Don

[katanakid]

good luck

[rookieflyer09]

Hey guys,

I've been reading that the Hughes 500 is the worst fuse for vibration.
I'm looking at the FunKey Bell 206 long ranger fuse. What have you guys heard about these two fuses?

I'm also looking to put a stabilization system in this heli. Any recommendations?

I also want to put a new motor in it. I'm running a 13 tooth pinion with a two headed blade. Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Dino