HK500 to EXI 500 Transformation

[rcdbutz]

I just couldn't stand all of these sunny days with lots of wind, so I had to go out and fly the HK500. Well, it was probably a bad idea, because I trashed this thing. Was hovering inverted and the tail piro'ed on me and I lost my orientation and drove that sucker right into the ground.

The main frame and head stock is toast, and I managed to taco a lipo pack pretty bad!

Check out the video and aftermath of the crash:





Well, I was never a big fan of the plastic setup, so I decided to put the parts into an EXI 500 kit. The Align kit is just so costly, and this looks like a nice cheap clone with sweet CNC parts all around. Ordered the kit today, so it might be in by the end of the week.

I know Kent and Gabe have this heli and are pretty happy with them, so I thought it would be a good choice. I'll have some pics and re-build coming up.

[BTCat]

That is one nasty crash, RC. You know, it wasn't the wind that made you crash. It was the complement your camera lady gave you. Jinxed you. Caused your testosterone to push your "laps-in-judgment" button. Always leads to a crash of some type or another ;D

Can't say that I've seem too many canopies with the nose crushed that badly. And the battery...was that an Outrage? Ouch! "Taco" doesn't cover that. More like "accordion."

Sorry for all your destruction. Hopefully it will be resurrected bigger and better.

[McKrackin]

At least Outrage has 50% crash return.....

[McKrackin]

I've always wondered why Align helis use the battery as a front bumper.....Hmmmm

[rcdbutz]

BT, you have no idea how right you are about the compliment thing. Wish I knew a nice way to tell her to shut up while she films. lol, oh well, she was trying to be nice. At least she knows now not to come up behind me and hug me while I'm flying, she did that while flying the Blade 400 a while back.

The EXI kit should be in tomorrow. It'll be a good day, because I get to find out if we're having a boy or girl tomorrow too.

[BTCat]

Jan 4, 2010 11:46:17 GMT -6 rcdbutz said:

BT, you have no idea how right you are about the compliment thing. Wish I knew a nice way to tell her to shut up while she films. lol, oh well, she was trying to be nice. At least she knows now not to come up behind me and hug me while I'm flying, she did that while flying the Blade 400 a while back.

The EXI kit should be in tomorrow. It'll be a good day, because I get to find out if we're having a boy or girl tomorrow too.

Two scenarios: 1. The ultrasound is broken and you have to wait a week to find out about the baby. 2. The delivery truck wrecks and you have to wait a week for the EXI. Which one is going to be more disappointing? ;D

[nunyabizniss34]

Dammit BT, don't make him choose! DON'T MAKE HIM CHOOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Colin

[BTCat]

Jan 4, 2010 19:44:47 GMT -6 nunyabizniss34 said:

Dammit BT, don't make him choose! DON'T MAKE HIM CHOOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Colin

Got to learn to face your addictions and embrace them ;D

[rcdbutz]

Kit's here and I have work to do. As for the baby, well, it looks like I'll be up to my neck in Barbie dolls for the next 10 years or so. Looks like we'll have another female entering the RC heli hobby too.

[BTCat]

Jan 6, 2010 10:35:16 GMT -6 rcdbutz said:

Kit's here and I have work to do. As for the baby, well, it looks like I'll be up to my neck in Barbie dolls for the next 10 years or so. Looks like we'll have another female entering the RC heli hobby too.

Congratulations! I have 3 girls. They all know not to change the channel when I'm watching football. They all know how to fish. They don't borrow my tools and most importantly, they don't touch my heli stuff!

The dog and I are the only males in the house and he doesn't have any balls so he doesn't really count either ;D

[McKrackin]

I have only one kid.A girl.
The last 17 yrs have been a blast.
The girls sure do get expensive around 15 though.lol....

[Dave]

Congrats RC on the baby girl

Dave

[akent]

Jan 6, 2010 17:04:54 GMT -6 McKrackin said:

I have only one kid.A girl.
The last 17 yrs have been a blast.
The girls sure do get expensive around 15 though.lol....

I know EXACTLY what you mean, McKrackulator! And I completely agree!
My 17yo won't wear anything but very expensive dental floss from you know where any more. That is concerning, but all of the girls on her cheer team do the same. Ugh.

Expensive is an understatement, too!
More Ugh.
=============
RCD, as you have seen surely now, the Exi 500 CF is an amazing machine!
I bought another one for spare parts when they were super cheap and I did get a smooshed up canopy with it. It doesn't bother me much though, as I got a couple of the super cheap cool ones, too.
I think the canopy was not cured when it was put in there. There was no shipping damage with the box. This run of 500 CF's is different than my original one, in that some of the parts are better and some are not.
It's still an amazing bargain.
Kent

[rcdbutz]

Well, I've got the heli built, now I just need the rain to go away so I can test fly it. Here are some pics:

















I'll get some flight video in here someday...

It's a pretty solid machine, but as you can see, the canopy was pretty warped on it. Also had a hell of a time getting the flybar rod in, not sure why. The pre-measured linkages weren't even close to where they needed to be in length, but that's no biggie. What a great price for a fully metal Trex500 clone overall though.