Special Hobby MD-520N NOTAR - 1:72 Special Hobby

[Julien]

MD-520N NOTAR

1:72 Special Hobby

 

 

The MD 500 is one of the latest in a series stemming from the original Hughes OA-6A.  Boeing sold the former McDonnell Helicopters business it acquired in 1984 to MD Helicopters 1999 and the type continues to be produced today. The 520N introduced a revolutionary concept to Helicopter design with a single main rotor. Here the tail rotor has been done away with and to counteract torque from the main rotor exhaust from the turbine engine is directed down the tail boom. The thruster at the end is also controllable for yaw control. By doing away with the tail rotor there are less moving parts, less noise (as everything is contained) and there are less problems of potential ground incidents associated with conventional tails. This system was imaginatively called NOTAR (No tail rotor).

 

The Kit

This is a the old Profiline kit with new parts from Special Hobby for the NOTAR setup. The main feature you notice on opening the box is that the main cabin is made from clear plastic which means not trying to avoid getting glue on the main transparency when gluing it in.

 

 

Construction starts with the interior for the main cabin. The front and rear seats are attached to the main cabin floor along with the bulkhead which separates the cabin. The rear bulkhead needs to be added which support the back seats. The front instrument panel is added (instruments as a decal). Controls of cyclic & collective sticks are added long with rudder pedals. The completed interior can then be added into the clear fuselage. The tail boom is then attached.

 

 

Depending on the version being modelled long or short skids are attached. The front & rear cabin doors can be added along with the T tail, and the tail rotor. The main five bladed rotor is then made up with each blade being individually added to the hub. The Chilean version has two photo-etched vents added to the upper transmission housing. Various antenna, cable cutters and light housings are added depending upon which version is being built. 

 

 

Decals
Decals are from Aviprint and should pose no problems. Markings are provided for 3 examples;

 

• OK-YIK Private Operator Czech Republic.
• G-14 Belgian Federal Police.
• G-SMAC Private Operator UK.
• D-HABF Private Operator Germany.

 

 

 

Conclusion
This is a great little kit with an innovative way of making the main fuselage. It is welcome in this boxing that masks for the glazing have been included. Highly recommended. 

 

Review sample courtesy of

[k5054nz]

What are the resin parts? I recognise the exhaust but the others are a mystery.

 

Also, what are the "new parts from Special Hobby for the NOTAR setup"? The plastic all looks like the Profiline to me.