Varc's How-To Scale Your Nano!

[Varc]

Hello there. I am going to show you how simple it is to install a very cool Hughes 500 scale fuselage onto your NCPX nano helicopter.


The fuselage we will be using, is from Nine Eagles Bravo SX which was basically a clone of the Blade MSR.
Nine Eagles have these fuselages in various color schemes including the white with orange and black trim like on mine, the white/blue one like in this tutorial, a dark blue with silver, and an awesome camoflauged millitary version. This review will be white/blue with white skids.




Here is the kit out of the packaging.



The fuselage seperates in two halves.



First step is to remove the stock landing skids, canopy, and tailfin.



Next, install the Hughes 500 skids. They do fit, but you'll need to squeeze them a bit as shown.



Then cut off this plug as its nonlonger needed.





Next, you will need to enlarge this hole, and shave the standoff flat so the two halves can fit closer together.



This hole here, goes dirctly into one of the white pegs on the skids.



This is the hole on the outside of the fuselage



As shown on this previously installed fuselage.



As this picture indicates, the fuselages cut-outs for the servo arms match perfectly with that of the NCPX. It also shows the inside of where the body mounts to the helicopter.

[Varc]

Next step is to match drill bit with size of body mount so you can enlarge the stock hole. Sorry, dont know exact size of drill bit, but I can look it up.



Next step is to drill out this openning so that the NCPX's body mounting peg will fit through easier.



Trial fit.



You can see how the tail does not exactly fit well here.



Other side mounted.



Next step is to cut out triangle for NCPX's tailboom to fit through properly.



After trial fit, you will see why you will need to shave this bit down.



Refitting, nearly done!









Next, I use ultra clear scotch tape to button things up a bit.



I also tape the boom to the fuselage, this helps prevent any vibrations.


There are two locations where you might want to add tiny screws. One is at the tailfin, and the other is near the exhaust.

Bolt on the blades, and you are ready to fly!

[Varc]

My Dads on the left, and mine on the right.

[fightingmosquitoes]

Well done!!

[Varc]

Thanks! My friend want's to help me paint mine to look like TC's chopper from Magnum PI, and I'm considering getting a second Nano and get the military one.

[brushless55]

Dang!
I need the skids for mine

[Hobbez]

Wonderful write-up. Many thanks. I have the military fuse and skids here waiting and will start on this now.

[Rocketman777]

Really Nice Work! A few questions:

1. Is the original nano lower, forward mounting post used at all - is there a hole in the SX fuse for it?

2. Is the nano held in place by the top modified hole and the tail boom that is taped in only?

3. Battery size and flight times?

Tail Boom Idea:

If you want to fit the nano tail boom into the SX fuse, you could cut the original mounting tube and triangle brace off flush from the frame leaving the vertical bulkhead intact. Buy another nano frame, then cut the bulkhead, tube and triangle brace supports off. Sand the bulkhead portion of this piece to accommodate the proper tail boom angle. Once the proper angle is attained, ca glue this piece in place to the main frame raising it to the proper height to accommodate the SX fuse. This will add virtually no weight, you will not have to cut the fuse or need to tape the boom in place. I would then add a small piece of soft foam in the booms end to stabilize and absorb any vibration much like Mia uses in their scale fuse. Just an idea!

[Varc]

1. The front Nano peg is NOT used. Only the top peg, for the front, the fuselage mounts to the scale skids front peg.

2. It is also held in place by the lower holes on the fuselage designed to mount on the front pegs of the skids. The tape is just used to keep the boom in place.

3. Stock batteries, 3-5 minutes normal sport flying. I dont do 3D.

I might try your idea if I do another scale Nano. But for now, I am happy with the way it is and you forget its like that once your flying it.

[fedemartini]

Here is my military 500..


Sent from my Apple //e using Tapatalk

[Iskareot]

Originally Posted by fedemartini

Here is my military 500..Attachment 360177


Sent from my Apple //e using Tapatalk

Nice nice...

Magnum PI one.. lol thats too funny.

[Rocketman777]

Originally Posted by fedemartini

Here is my military 500..Attachment 360177


Sent from my Apple //e using Tapatalk

Nice work! What battery and how long are your flight times?

[fedemartini]

It gets 5 grams net on a total of 29.7 (total in flight line) going to 34.7. Not too much...
I tryed only a few lipos, but with standard batteries my usual 4 min time is OK.


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[QueadlunnRau]

Thanks for posting this tutorial on making this fuselage fit.

Got a video of my maiden, seems the added 5g is a bit much for a little 3d, though maybe my 2nd main motor is going out, cannot wait to go brushless!

[Varc]

I never plan on doing 3D so that is not an issue for me. Then again, I do plan on getting a second Nano for pod+boom style so who knows. Then again, I am slowly getting interested in learning at least inverted flight and a few simple scale aerobatics. But, with the extra poundage of the scale bodies, brushless wont be a bad idea anyway.

[nothinbetr2do]

i finally got mine done. i want to thank varc for doing this build thread. the little guy looks really cool, here's a pic

[Varc]

See? It's simple! Mine is waiting for the TC treatment and tiny navigation lights.

[nothinbetr2do]

sorry if i'm behind in the latest and greatest, lol. but what is this tc treatment your talking about?

[Varc]

Originally Posted by nothinbetr2do

sorry if i'm behind in the latest and greatest, lol. but what is this tc treatment your talking about?

Having the fuselage being painted to look like TC's helicopter on Magnum PI.

[nothinbetr2do]

Originally Posted by Varc

Having the fuselage being painted to look like TC's helicopter on Magnum PI.

right on, i have that same one for my 250

thanks again for doing this build thread, i'm now thinking about doing my other nano in the white and blue one