MD 500E

[Keyrigger]

Ok Ron, I'm back at mine. Your builds finally got my mojo rolling again. I was shaking like a leaf cutting out the doors, sigh. See you soon.

Don

[cobieg]

Hey Don, glad to get the ball rolling again for you lol.
I just got back from Vacation so I'll start on the cockpit again. I am still not liking the gap at the top of the dog house where the nose joins it. I am thinking of putting vinyl tape on the nose side so nothing will stick, and will create a gap line when removed. Then filling the gap with spot putty.

Ron

[Keyrigger]

Hi Ron:

You might want to think about something a bit more substantial than putty, say like Hysol on a roughened surface or maybe some glass resin. I also have a slight misalignment in mine but that will be cured by an extra pin in the bottom along with a couple more magnets. I'm going to get back at it this week since Christmas and an indoor flying event have passed. Take care.

Don

[cobieg]

Got the gap closed up. Used some bondo to fill the gap. It turned out perfect. A little more sanding and primer.

Ron

[cobieg]

Hey Don, the gap on the bottom I'll have to live with. The only way to fix it would be to cut the lip out of the nose section so it will move in a little closer to the fuse, and then lay up a new lip. But it fits good and tight and has a good reveal until it goes under. Like I said before, I wasn't impressed with this nose.

Anyway, I did manage to get more done on the instrument panel. The panel is just printed and glued to some cardstock.

Ron

[Peter Sijpkes]

Hi, I am working on a 600 size MD500E myself (Roban 600size).

Can you or anyone else perhaps post some dimensions to create the cockpit and instruments panel. If you could upload the instruments image it would be great.

Regards,

Peter

[heli143]

Hi Peter
I have a scale dash that lights up and can take pics tomorrow and get measurements for you.

[cobieg]

I'm sorry, I totally dropped the ball on this. l just googled Hughes 500E instrument panel. Scrolled thru the pictures until i found the one i liked. It is 3 inches x 1/34 inches.

Ron

[Peter Sijpkes]

Hi Roy, your measurement and photos would still be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Peter

[Peter Sijpkes]

Ron,

Can you elaborate how the measurement is taken ? Is it the width/height ?

Thanks,

Peter

[cobieg]

Originally Posted by Peter Sijpkes

Ron,

Can you elaborate how the measurement is taken ? Is it the width/height ?

Thanks,

Peter

3 inches wide x 1 3/4 inches tall. I sent you a link to the one that I printed.

Ron

[cobieg]

Well, back at it again. I decided that I need a pilot that I can make to get close enough to scale so, I went to Black Ops toys (what a cool place that is), and got a few things.
I need to make this as light as possible so I did not purchase a body. I had this foam covered wire laying around so I used it to make a skeleton.
Put on the clothes and stuff with cotton. The boots and neck fit snug around the foam. For the hands, I pulled back the foam and cut off the wire. I used a bar straw over the wrist pin into the foam. I think he looks pretty handsome.
Now to cut off the front part of the frame so he will fit better. I will put some frame strengthener panels and frame spacers inside as well for rigidity.

Ron.

[cobieg]

So I measured twice and cut off the front of the frames to give him some shoulder room. Bonded some fish plates to the frames for support and have been mocking up the seating arrangement for this guy. I was at the new Hobby Lobby yesterday when I came up with an idea that I am hoping will soften up the inside of the cabin.

Ron

[cobieg]

Been busy with the cockpit lately. Got the seat base, and the seat back/rear wall done. The instrument panel was going to be printed and glued on but, I decided that it needed to be back lit. So out came the pin vice and file and made the gauge holes. I then glued down a panel made of .015 clear for a nice flat surface to bond the new panel to. I made up a 4 led circuit and installed. I think it doesn't look too bad for a rookie.

Ron

[cobieg]

Trying to detract from the amateurish skills of mine, I thought if I added some screws, knobs, and switches it wouldn't look so bad. I hope it helped.

Ron

[cobieg]

Its starting to take shape. got some carpet down.

Ron

[cobieg]

Wow, it has been a long time since I have worked on this. I took it off the shelf the other night and played a little "heli chess", giving it the stare down figuring out where I left off and what is next. I talked with Bert Kammerer at the Orlando Heli Blowout and was able to order a matched and balanced 5 blade set of Switch Blade 603's. They should be here in early Feb.
So, its off to finish the cockpit. I need to finish the seatback assy. I made some templates and came up with this. I think it will look alright after some paint and material. Time to get the other side done.

Ron

[Tman49]

Ron,
I'm glad to see you back on this model. I'm working on the same except a 700 size D model. I was very interested in your battery placement. The front part of the floor extends farther on my model than yours does. I'm going to give it a good look over to see if I can make room for a battery. I'm using a 12s system w/a Trex 600PRO. Therefore I really don't think two 6s batteries are going under the floor. I'd really like one up front to help w/the cg.

I hope you're able to make steady progress. I'm considering some of your ideas. I like them, therefore, I give you the clap.

[cobieg]

[QUOTE=Tman49;7522231
I'm considering some of your ideas. I like them, therefore, I give you the clap. [/QUOTE]

Thanks, I new a guy when I was in the army that a girl gave him the clap, lol while typing but, that’s another story.
As far as the batteries go, I made an extension of of my sub base for mechanics mounting with 2mm fiberglass sheet. The batteries mount under that and is removable. The floor of the cockpit is separate and slides over the top of that.
I am still working on cockpit details and hope to have more pics. soon.

Ron

[Tman49]

I was hoping you had a sense of humor. Always good to be able to laugh. Life is too short not to laugh.

I examined my 700 size "D" model. I don't see where a battery can fit where you described. Of course I was looking at a 5000 mah battery. Maybe a 4kmah battery would work. I'll check it out. Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your time.

Regards,
Thomas