Hughes 500E 1:6 – Fuselage Kit

The “Hughes 500E” from VARIO is a 700, resp. 750 size scale helicopter. You can power this remote-controlled model helicopter with gasoline (benzin) or electric propulsion. Hughes Helicopters is the creator of the man-carrying version and the Boeing daughter McDonnell Douglas produces this helicopter.

For VARIO’s 750 Hughes we recommend a maximum main rotor speed of 1600 rpm. Electric drive sets from VARIO are already tuned to this head speed.

Select one of the following drive types:

Benzin Mechanics

The benefit of a gasoline helicopter is a robust, easy-to-use engine for long flight times. The fuel is available at every petrol station (2-stroke mix). Kit Ord.No. 9006 contains the bulkheads for the gasoline mechanics. If the engine noise in flight does not disturb you, you will enjoy this classic drive system for model making.

Electric conversion of the Benzin mechanics

Use kit Ord.No. 9006 for conversions of the petrol mechanics to electric motor drive. The strong and rigid aluminum side frames from the petrol mechanics are very suitable for the powerful electric motors being used in model helicopters today. Electric motors provide very quiet operation with low vibration, and no exhaust gases or oily mess to clean up. Model flights are much more realistic without the noise of the petrol engine, and the electric drive is so quiet that even the sound of the rotor blades can be heard in flight. Electric conversions are easy to accomplish using the suitable VARIO drive sets to achieve the optimum system speed for the 90:18 ratio. You may choose between 10S or 12S LiPo battery cells when selecting the conversion drive set that will be right for you.

Skyfox-Electric Mechanics

The Skyfox mechanics is a classic, VARIO original product. Where glow plug nitro engines used to be, today a small, powerful electric motor drives your rotorcraft. Skyfox, that stands for lightness as it is desired in electric flight resulting in longer flight times. The kit with Ord.No. 9005 contains the frames for the Skyfox mechanics. For this electromechanical system we offer a drive set for 10S LiPos.

Benzin propulsion option – Build suggestion

First build a VARIO petrol trainer (Ord.No. 8311) in the pod and boom configuration and fly, later install the mechanics in your scale fuselage. Advantage: You buy the mechanics components at a reasonable price and can learn the flying characteristics of the Benzin Trainer. The trainer mechanics can be built into all kits for gasoline mechanics or the electric mechanics Ord.No. 1002/80 and 1002/82. If you exchange the Benzin Trainer’s 2-blade head to a multi-blade scale head, the reduction ratio must be adjusted. It is an easy conversion and the VARIO support network is always available to assist with the change.

In May 1965, the Hughes company won the contract for a new observation helicopter for the U.S. Army, and produced the OH-6 Cayuse (Hughes Model 369). The OH-6 was later developed into the civilian model 500, variants of which remain in production to this day. In January 1984, Hughes Helicopters, Inc. was sold to McDonnell Douglas and was renamed McDonnell Douglas Helicopter System.