500 Size AH-64A Apache build

[F106DeltaDart]

Kinda figured it would be a piece by piece build but that’s ok.

Saw this listed on RCG. Looks like one hell of a deal on a full airframe with the belt drive already installed: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...0GT-Helicopter

[F106DeltaDart]

Hey FDD, what method did you use to mount the mechanics into the body?
I plan on using a spare 500 bottom plate laid on the outs side to mark my holes. But after that I haven’t figured out yet if I need to add some wood popsicles sticks on the inside or just the screws and washers like it shows from the outside to the frame. That just don’t legit. Care to share what you did?

thanks
Gravy

I expoxied some 1/4” ply blocks with blind nuts to the inside of the fuselage to mount it in the front, made some 90 degree brackets, and bolted them in. The back fit like a glove for me, and I never saw a need for any aft mounts for the mechanics.

[Gravythe clown]

Hey FDD, what method did you use to mount the mechanics into the body?
I plan on using a spare 500 bottom plate laid on the outs side to mark my holes. But after that I haven’t figured out yet if I need to add some wood popsicles sticks on the inside or just the screws and washers like it shows from the outside to the frame. That just don’t legit. Care to share what you did?

thanks
Gravy

[PawPaw]

Kinda figured it would be a piece by piece build but that’s ok.

[F106DeltaDart]

Your Apache is looking great Gravy! Mine is on the bench for troubleshooting again. Tail servo is having issues now.

Pawpaw, I’m not sure if the 500XT will fit in this guy.. The kit includes special side frames the drop the tail down and I don’t know if the XT parts will fit. The 500X is substantially larger than the original Trex 500s to run 470mm blades vs the original 425mm blades. Personally, I’d search for an older 500ESP or 500E to retrofit and save the 500X for another project.

[PawPaw]

How old a cave man?

[Gravythe clown]

I'll Post pics of my parts allied before and after painting for you to see what they look like, Then we'll talk. Resin 3d printing is supper easy a cave man could do it. lol
I got the elegoo mars pro. creating the objects is the harder part, printing is truly a set it and forget it thing.

Gravy

[PawPaw]

Appreciate it, Gravy, but I have yet to venture into 3D printing. It’s a miracle my posts show up when I press the button. Quite exciting, in fact. I have spending money down pat so would most gladly $ to have parts printed!

[Gravythe clown]

Had to add wire-cutters separately due to attachment limitations.

[Gravythe clown]

Here are the 3d print stuff I created so far if you want to use any of them. I use wire to finish off the Tail antenna and the turbine pod pitot tubes. ALso Pito1 and Ant2 need to be scaled down 50%. I did scale Down Ant1 but I cant remember by how much. Ant1 was originally created for my cobra but needs to be a little smaller for the Apache. Maybe you find them useful.

Gravy

[PawPaw]

Thanks. Got everything ordered, I think. Snatched the last AH-64 500 kit from MRC so was lucky with that, at least.

[Gravythe clown]

Yes the kit comes longer belt, the riser transition, riser short pipe and the front gear and pulley. So all you need is the tail pulls set. I recommend this one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hausler-Tail-Rotor-Unit-Belt-Drive-for-Align-Trex-500-ESP-PRO-Helicopter-/224196049057?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

Gravy

[PawPaw]

Thanks! Did your kit come with a longer front belt drive shaft and gear/pulley to fit the lowered frame? I’m sourcing all the parts I will need to convert my 500 torque to belt but see the newer X uses a large main gear belt pulley instead of the older style separate shaft style.

[Gravythe clown]

Ebay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Set-4-Blades-Metal-Tail-Rotor-Grip-Tail-Blades-for-Trex-500-RC-Helicopter-/284213635053?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

Gravy

[PawPaw]

Watching with great interest, Gravy. I have a 500XT I’ve been flying pod and boom and would like to scale it out. I already have a 4 blade head and blades but would need to convert the torque tube to belt for the AH-64. Doesn’t look like a big deal, except for maybe sourcing the 4 blade tail.

[Gravythe clown]

First dry fit. Once I get the holes lined up and drilled for the attachment I’ll pull it out and start working on the body. I’m not getting as crazy as you FDD so it shouldn’t be longer than a week or two.

Gravy

[Gravythe clown]

Some printed turbine blades.

gravy

[PawPaw]

Looking good!

[Gravythe clown]

So flew my 500 mechanics this last weekend.
has the 900kv motor with a 16T pinion. She flew and sounded great. Only thing that bugged me was that I was running at 90% throttle (roughly 1800 rpm head speed).
so I had a 3026 1210kv scorpion. but wasn’t to sure about running the smaller can older scorpion motor so I bought a 3226 1400kv. It showed up yesterday. To get 1800 at around 70% throttle I used a 14T pinion.
put two batteries through it today after work. I Wasn’t happy. It was loud. Also the motor and ESC were warm. Not hot but warm.
so I switch it out with the 3026 1210kv using the 16T pinion. That’s The the ticket. Really quiet and smooth. I only did a quick hover. Tomorrow after work I’ll put two batteries through her. If she good, I’ll start the dry fit mounting so I can get all the mounting holes and headwear figured out.
after that I can finish adding all my printed parts and paint her up.
so yeah it’s about a month out now.

Gravy

[Gravythe clown]

Nope best part is I never have to worry about breaking something off while loading it or transporting it either. 🤪

Gravy