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Vintage RC Helicopters - MFA (Model Flight Accessories) Manufacturer of RC Helicopters MFA - Model Flight Accessories MFA Sport 500
British manufacturer of Radio Control accessories that in 19## began production of a '40' size, fixed pitch, basic pod and boom trainer helicopter. The MFA Sport 500 proved to be a useful if not sparkling entry, for a relatively small cost, into RC helicopters. The helicopters body had been specifically modelled to emulate a Hughes 500 which at the time was a very popular full size helicopter. To complement this initial 'look', a body was designed to be fitted onto the basic MFA Sport 500 to produce a scale Hughes 500 which set the helicopter off quite well. Fixed pitch control whilst adequate for hovering, was totally lacking for more spirited flying and thus a collective conversion was developed in late 1989 thereby enhancing the usefulness of the MFA Sport 500. After a few years a special 'all black' version was produced in order to keep the line going but it was trying to compete with the likes of the Hirobo shuttle and as development had not been kept up, it quickly became a non-seller. At this point MFA bowed out of the helicopter production market though apparently they were still being sold through the US company Hobby Lobby in 2003? No firm info on this at this time.
The MFA Sport 500 was designed for a specific area of the market; those without a lot of money or experience. The function of the MFA Sport 500 was to get raw beginners past the hovering stage and up to the lazy eight level with perhaps a little bit of circuit work. Fixed pitch was employed for both its inherent 'cheapness and simplicity' without compromise to the design philosophy. Tyro's can spend many hours at the hovering stage requiring almost constant conditions of pitch and revs thereby making a 'collective' pitch assembly mainly redundant under these conditions. The lack of response though was a major criticism of this type of control (by competent pilots it must be noted) however, in many respects this is what a learner requires and conditions not suitable for fixed pitch helicopters are probably non too suitable for learning. The fact that it was seen as 'cheap and cheerful' did have its drawbacks. Many purchasers would have been 'plank' flyers trying their hand at helicopters and with nothing more complicated than 'aero' equipment being required in all likelihood the 'tired' ex aeroplane 40 engine would have been used. A worn out 40 was the last thing a helicopter in the hover needs and many overheated due to over revving and running lean. The secret was to fit a new engine, correctly run it in and when set slightly rich with the correct blade pitch there was no lack of lift. These kind of helicopters also suffered from being past around once the first learner had worn it out. Once this type of head suffered wear then the already slow response became increasing 'indistinct' until cyclic control was not effectively achieved. Passed on in this condition and a reputation can be quickly achieved for being 'crap'. Additionally, as can be seen below when in this configuration so much lift would be lost by the floats deflecting the rotor downwash that it was a wonder it ever made it past the hover.
Reading the magazine reviews of the day actually shows another view in that most considered it to fulfil its designed function and when new control was more than adequate. One area that was shown to be lacking was tail rotor left control in flight. Slightly bigger blades cured this to an extent and so did slightly reducing main blade pitch in order to get an increased head speed; this also had the benefit of speeding up cyclic response. A number of 'home made' modifications were shown in the magazines that helped to improve the overall characteristics of the helicopter. I have a number of these and in Jan 2010 started restoring two in order to provide a 'factual' and not 'subjective' comparison between then and now.
Sport 500 Collective with training undercarriage Also with a very 'scenic' view
Adverts and Manuals have been provided by MFA who unfortunately no longer market spares for these helicopters.
MFA Sport 500 Documentation Sport 500 Manual - First version with fixed pitch rotor head. Hughes 500 Conversion Kit - Instructions for converting a standard MFA Sport 500 into a Hughes 500 Sport 500 Collective pitch conversion - Parts kit to upgrade the fixed pitch version Sport 500 Collective Manual - Second version with collective pitch. Sport 500 Addendums - various addendum sheets covering items such as - autorotation clutch - large fuel tank
MFA Sport 500 Reviews Sport 500 review - Sport 500 Upgrades - 1988 Courtesy Model Helicopter World www.modelheliworld.com Sport 500 First impressions - Sport 500 beginners review - 1988 Radio helicopter International with high resolution photos. Sport 500 Improvements - 1989 suggestions for modifications to improve operation and reliability. Sport 500 CP review - 1990 Courtesy Model Helicopter World www.modelheliworld.com Top of Page (VRHC - Vintage Radio controlled HeliCopters) |
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