The MD-500 (sold in-world as Hughes 500) (ICAO: H500 / WAKE: LIGHT) is a light utility civilian and military helicopter. Created in Second Life by Apolon Motors, the helicopter was based on the real-life Hughes 500 initially produced by Hughes Helicopters (now MD Helicopters).
Background
The real-life Hughes 500 (which both Apolon and Spijkers & Wingtips' models have been designed to resemble) was developed as a civilian version of the US Army's OH-6A Cayuse/Loach. The 500 series features shock-absorbing landing skid struts, a turboshaft engine mounted at a 45-degree angle toward the rear of the cabin pod, a fuel tank cell under the floor and the battery in the nose. The engine exhaust port is located at the end of the cabin pod underneath the tail boom. It has a short-diameter main rotor system and a short tail, giving it an agile control response and is less susceptible to weather-cocking.
Features
- Pilot's heads-up display (HUD).
- Piloting by keys and mouse-look.
- Radio/ATC chatter sound effects.
- Opening doors, searchlight, smoke effects.
- Autopilot.
- Two purchasable variants: Magnum P.I. "Island Hoppers" and a plain white design.
Images
.png "Hughes 500 (Apolon).png (1.41 MB)")
.jpg "MD-500 - Magnum (Apolon).jpg (200 KB)")
.jpg "MD-500 - White (Apolon).jpg (191 KB)")
See also