Colco Army Green MD Hughes 500

One of the world's most successful and useful light turbine helicopters, the Hughes/McDonnell Douglas/MD Helicopters 500 series began life in response to a US Army requirement for a light observation helicopter. Hughes won the US Army observation helicopter contest against competition from Bell and Hiller.

Based on the actual Hughes 500, this Newest 4CH Colco Hughes 500 is a beginner-friendly micro rc helicopter enjoyed by inexperienced/experienced flyers. Its unique design makes it easy to configure, control, and more fun to fly. It is designed to both train pilots and entertain them by delivering a stable flying platform capable of controlled indoor and outdoor flight.

The Hughes 500 has two sets of main rotors and a freewheeling tail rotor that does not affect flight. The counter-rotating main rotors eliminate the need for tail rotor compensation because they move in opposite directions, canceling each other’s rotational torque . In addition, the blade sets give it an added bit of gyroscopic stability, which allows mere mortals to hover it with prowess.

The lower rotor provides cyclic control for the heli. To yaw the helicopter (left and right), one of the main rotors either slows down or speeds up to create an imbalance in torque. This results in the Hughes 500 turning in the direction opposite to the rotation of the faster moving rotor. Since the Hughes 500 is fixed pitch, collective control is governed exclusively by throttle.

On the Hughes 500, the roll cyclic is a bit more responsive than its pitch cyclic (fore/aft control). This is because the very small range of cyclic control can more easily roll the heli than it can pitch it along the length of the body. This attribute actually helps make the Hughes 500 stable. For a heli of this size, the responsiveness on both axes is appropriate.

For beginners, flying the Hughes 500 out of ground effect (first few inches off the ground) is not difficult either. Unlike other micros, the Hughes 500 tends to rise evenly rather than skate across the floor laterally. If you punch the throttle, it has no hesitation in climb either. Optional Li- poly battery will help to achieve better performance and longer flight time.