MSH Protos 500

[rcdbutz]

I just did it, I just pulled the trigger on a MSH Protos 500 kit.

I heard that I'd get a nice little tax refund, so I decided I wanted another great 500 size heli in my fleet.

Just placed the orders today for all of the stuff, so parts should start arriving next week.

Between this, the enticement F3P, and electric mod on my friend's plank, and various repairs that need to be done, I'll have my work cut out for me. I sense using some vacation hours next week.

MSH 500 Protos Specifications
=============================
- Stock motor: 800KV, 1100W, 6s
- Speed Controller: MSH 80A
- Mainblade size: 415mm-430mm (using 425mm)
- Maingear: 93T
- Pinion: from 15T - (Included in the kit)
- Innovative single belt drive (motor->main gear->tail)
- 2mm flybar, Gorilla Gear programmable paddles
- 4mm tail grip root
- 17mm OD aluminum tail boom
- LiPo 6S (~2500mAh)
- Metal hub, metal swashplate, plastic tail box, main grips and tail grips
- Programmable flybar:mainblade ratio
-Carbon Fiber Frames
- The tail grips with integrated Chinese weights
- Very low risk of static problems
- Stock blades: SAB 425mm CF
- Gorilla Gear landing gear

UPDATE:
Got the heli built yesterday, for the most part. I'm still waiting for my tail servo to show up in the mail, then I'm good to go. Here are some pics of the progress:

Here is the box:


And here is what's inside:


Here is the servo setup inside the frame. They really utilized the strength of the servos to hold the frame, which takes off of the overall weight.


Put the rest of the frame around the servo mounts:




Built the swash and place it on the head:


Then the washout base:


And the rest of the head:




Next came the tail setup. My tail boom was supposed to have 2 holes in the end and only had one, so I had to drill out the other hole.


Then I built the tail setup:


Now I'm almost done, just have the tail servo left, then I get to try her out.











So far, I find pros and cons when I compare the build to a Trex. The rex usually has some pre-assembled sections, so it's a much quicker build. There are quality screws in this kit, and good diameter too. The kit is great quality, and an enjoyable build. Not sure what I'll think of the belt system, but I won't know for sure until I fly it. The belt is driven directly by the motor, goes around the main gear, and into the tail. There is a lot more friction to turn the rotor that what I usually feel in a rex, especially with a direct torque tube drive system.

Next up will be the maiden flight video, let's hope for some good weather.

For build videos, I turned to Finless Bob over at HF (thanks Bob!) His videos are great and take you through the build step-by-step. Here is a link to his Protos 500 build videos:

helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=105493

[akent]

Nice, RCD!!
I'll be very interested to hear what you think of that heli! Especially as compared to the Exi.
Kent

[Doozer]

You might sell your other helis now! That's a very nice helicopter. I haven't heard anyone that has had much negative to say about it. That's a nice step up. Very nice. Can't wait to see the build.

[Solitaire]

Yes, nicely done butz.
Not to echo Dooz, but everything I've read on 'em has been very positive, too.

[rcdbutz]

Thanks guys. Yes, I've read some good reviews on this one, and the parts seem to be available at Readyheli and A Main Hobbies. I read over at HF of some members that decided to ditch their Trex 500 after building and flying one of these...now that is saying something.

Nonetheless, I'm still sticking with the tried and true Align servos (3xDS310 and 1xDS520) because I already have a lot of replacement gears for them. I might go for a standard servo on the tail later, but I'll try it out with the mini first. Got the stock ESC and battery that comes with the kit, and going for the GP750 gyro.

[19000rpm]

Congrats, that does look nice.

[rcdbutz]

Man, the package came in today already, that was fast. Readyheli does great work. More I'm learning about this heli the more excited I am. Took a look in the box and realized how spoiled I was with the Trex kits I've been getting. Those are usually partly assembled and require some thread lock and tightening, but this thing is all pieces, a complete build from scratch. It's going to take some time, but it'll be sweet.

I'll get some pics of the box and the contents up here soon. Looks like the frame is built around the servos and those have not arrived yet. Got some DS510s lightly used on HF, but not sure it shipped yet. Anyway, can't really do much until those servos arrive, so I'll be working on the enticement tonight and tomorrow.

[akent]

Sounds awesome, RCD!

I actually really love a box-o-parts to build something from the most.
That way, you know what you have and later on, you know how to fix it!

I can't wait to hear what you think of that heli!
Kent

[rcdbutz]

Added some pics to the original post. I fired it up today and programmed the ESC. It spins smooth, sounds nice. I can't wait for my tail servo to come in so I can fly it.

Once I've gotten a feel for it, I'll do a comparison to the Trex 500 model.

[elkmaster01]

Deater,,,whats the specs on that critter? Gearing? Pinion? Motor? 425 blades?

Sounds like fun!!

[rcdbutz]

MSH 500 Protos Specifications
=============================
- Stock motor: 800KV, 1100W, 6s
- Speed Controller: MSH 80A
- Mainblade size: 415mm-430mm (using 425mm)
- Maingear: 93T
- Pinion: from 15T - (Included in the kit)
- Innovative single belt drive (motor->main gear->tail)
- 2mm flybar, Gorilla Gear programmable paddles
- 4mm tail grip root
- 17mm OD aluminum tail boom
- LiPo 6S (~2500mAh)
- Metal hub, metal swashplate, plastic tail box, main grips and tail grips
- Programmable flybar:mainblade ratio
-Carbon Fiber Frames
- The tail grips with integrated Chinese weights
- Very low risk of static problems
- Stock blades: SAB 425mm CF
- Gorilla Gear landing gear

[rcdbutz]

Another pic of the finished product, now with KBDD orange tail blades:


And, a video of my first spin up with a bit of information about the static. I was an idiot and put my boom on backwards, which still let's it fly, but then the frame doesn't conduct to the tail and the statics goes strait to the gyro. The manual could use an update, because the tail boom didn't match and that's part of the reason I put in on backwards. Anyways, I'll add the static mod to it tonight to create and electrical short between the frame and boom and it should fix all of my tail wag problems.



Hoping for the wind and rain to go away by tomorrow so I can see what she can do. ;D

[rcdbutz]

Well, I did the static mod this weekend and the tail is still really twitchy on me. After reading around I've decided to order a standard size tail servo (DS620) for it, which should arrive on Wednesday. I've also got to thy adjusting the tail ball links so they are as lose as possible. Still working on it, but I love the way it sounds when it spins up. I can tell it's going to be a quick heli.

[rcdbutz]

I AM A FRICKIN' IDIOT! Well actually, just did something stupid...

So I got my standard sized tail servo today, was just putting the last little zip tie strap on there and while I was pulling on it to make it tight, my hand slipped and I ended up pushing the heli head first off of the work bench! The blade holder was on so as it fell slow motion to the ground I tried to catch it, fat chance of that. Ended up landing on the flybar and bent the flybar rod and broke a flybar paddle. The rod broke inside the paddle, so there was no MacGuyver fixes happening here. Just placed an order at Readyheli for new parts, should be here by Saturday.

damn though, I hate it when stupid carp like this happens. Oh well, live and learn I guess. Odd thing I realized after it happened was how much patience I have gained through this hobby. I maybe let out one loud cuss word when it happened, but after that, I just rolled with it. At least it wasn't a major crash, on the other hand, it sucks to crash when I wasn't even flying the thing. ;P

[Doozer]

Aw that sucks man. I've been prone to doing sh*t like that too. Sorry to hear that it happened to you.