Back Revolution Helicopter Mini-500
1992

Revolution Helicopter Mini-500

In 1994 Revolution Helicopters of Excelsior Springs, Missouri announced their kit-built Mini-500. This single-seater could easily be mistaken for a scaled-down Hughes 500D with its egg-shaped fuselage pod, slim tailboom and T-tail. The Mini-500 is powered by a 67hp Rotax 582 engine and over 350 kits have been sold, with examples flying in Holland, South Africa and Brazil as well as substantial numbers in the United States.

R.Simpson "Airlife's Helicopter and Rotorcraft", 1998

Revolution Helicopter Mini-500

TYPE: Single-seat home-built helicopter.

PROGRAMME: Scale-replica design of McDonnell Douglas MD-500; first flown in 1992 and available in kit form until production ceased in October 1999. Assembly in 60-70 hours, excluding body work and painting.

VERSIONS:

Mini-500B Bravo: Initial production version.

Mini-500T Talon: Production version from 1999 incorporating latest improvements.

CUSTOMERS: More than 500 kits delivered by October 1999.

COSTS: Kit: US$32,000.

DESIGN FEATURES: Two-blade semi-rigid teetering main rotor, turning at 550 rpm, constructed using aluminium alloy spars and composite skins. Teetering two-blade tail rotor of aluminium alloy and steel construction, turning at 2,671 rpm. Rubber insulators, flex-packs and counterbalances for vibration damping.

STRUCTURE: Welded steel tube structure, with moulded glass fibre cabin enclosure. Twin skid landing gear.

POWER PLANT: One 50kW Rotax 582, with belt drive to transmission. Fuel capacity 55.6 litres. Transmission rating 40kW at take-off and 82kW capacity. Power enhancement package (PEP) with tuned exhaust system and special carburetion settings developed, producing 18% more power during take-off and landing phases.

Jane's Helicopter Markets and Systems

Technical data for Mini-500

Engine: 1 x Rotax 582 rated at 49.3kW, main rotor diameter: 5.84m, length: 6.85m, height: 2.51m, take-off weight: 379kg, empty weight: 219kg, max speed: 185km/h, cruising speed: 120km/h

Comments1-20 21-40 41-60 61-80 81-100 101-120 121-140 141-160
Erik, e-mail, 08.11.2008reply

Hello, I do have finished built Mini 500. ready for Registration (everything ready- will be done shortly) located in Germany. If anybody is interested?
Please send me an E-Mail.
The Helicopter has got 7 hours flown yet.

Erik

N Key, e-mail, 26.10.2008reply

ALSO: My previous post... Sorry meant to say TALON was revemped Mini500 and VOYAGER was 2-seater. This was built with a purpose developed 3 cylinder 2-stroke.

There are 2 Mini500 helis in UK also

N Key, e-mail, 26.10.2008reply

Scott K... I do not think that you have the full details on Mini500. Frame issues also related to the experience of the person that built it. Engine failures down to 'clever' builders who tried fitting engines not suited to the spec, such as a heavy underpowered 4-stroke, or tuning the 2-stroke so that reliability was gone.

The changes made to reduce airframe issues were very successful and so was the aircraft... unfortunately, I believe, that Dennis Fetters told everyone about the 2-seater Talon before it was ready and sales of Mini500 dropped, causing the business to fail due to lack of cash flow.
The main assets of the company went to China, along with the main test pilot... but never reapeared.

Talon 2-seater went South, perhaps to Puerto Rico... and the Zeus looked very similar?

I have copies of all crash info, Air Worthiness Directives, and all Modification details for Mini500... which was renamed by my involvement in getting the kits into Europe.

Have you seen these multi-million dollar operations that design, develop, and build certified helicopters... and then the first customer helicopters have failures... it happens all the time.

Scott L, e-mail, 17.10.2008reply

I would like to purchase a complete kit or already constructed Mini 500. If it has minor damage that would be OK. If you are needing CASH and want to free up some space let me know...Scott L (352) 383-6243

Anonymous, 24.01.2023 Scott L

There's one in Texas 10,000

reply

mile, e-mail, 07.02.2023 Anonymous

Any info as to how to contact?

reply

Tony West, e-mail, 12.10.2008reply

Hi I have a mini 500 .33hours airtime , built by licenced aircraft engineer . Lots of mods and extras. Its for sale if anyone is interested

regards

Tony

Scott K, e-mail, 11.10.2008reply

These were the WORST kit heli's made with MANY fatalities due to both pilot error but MOSTLY engine failure and premature structural fatigue. They are cool looking but that is the extent of it.If they were so great they would still be in production.If anyone has a death wish feel free to climb into one...Scott

francisco javier, e-mail, 29.07.2008reply

quiero comprar un Revolution Helicopter Mini-500 pero no se donde conseguirlo me podrian desirme la pagina principal de internet de la fabrica o enviarme los datos de ubicacion de ella

Brian, e-mail, 17.07.2008reply

hi,

I want to find a non flying mini 500 body only for a simulation project. preferably UK. email me if you have one for sale

Bob Essell, e-mail, 13.07.2008reply

Mini 500 For Sale, Ready to Fly. See ad on Barnstormers.com
Best Offer

Frank Leblanc, e-mail, 06.07.2008reply

I have two MINI-500 for sale, one is in flying condition. Located in Quebec, CANADA

Cap. Allan Rivas, e-mail, 29.06.2008reply

ME GUSTARIA SABER EL PRECIO DEL HELICOPTERO, ESTA MUY BUENO

F.D., e-mail, 19.05.2008reply

I am staying in South Africa. Can you please provide me the name & contact details of a supplier of the Mini 500 helicopter in South Africa?

Rynardt Beck, e-mail, 09.02.2023 F.D.

I have a mini 500 kit helicopter 40% complete the kit is
Stl new and has never been built my TEL nommer is 0780215664 what's up me
And I will send photos

reply

Romeo, e-mail, 18.05.2008reply

too bad you people donīt give good maintenance to the little one, I own 3 choppers, a uh1d huey 2, a huges 500d, and a mini 500, wich carries either a rp or a mini gun in 762, they have flown all over africa, and now are resting home waiting for more heavy stuff, is the best little thing to do our merc work

Matt Miller, e-mail, 17.06.2008reply

FOR SALE ready to fly completly assembeled $ best offer.
06-16-2008

ceri, e-mail, 03.06.2008reply

To kyle and the other delussionals out here. The NTSB only files reports of CRASHES not ones the have the common issues unsafe to fly (FAA Air Directives)noted by 98% of all owners, distributors and the FAA. They range from, cracked rotor heads, cracked linkage, cracked transmision mounts, cracked engine mounts, too soft of metal on gears worn down and chipped, correlater linkage ruptures, transmission falure, clutch failures. Failure to comply with the FAA AD at the factory, which forced the FAA to close them down forever in 1999. Not to mention ZERO spare parts in 9 years. Everything on them must be custom made and getting them certified on most of Earth is next to nothing without the 75 ADs required in the US alone. In Canada and the EU they have a complete ban on the kits. If you need the FACTS on this death cage, just look them up on Wikipedia just to start. Not a good word to be found on them ANYWHERE but a couple of nuts here, who don't care about thier lives much.

K, e-mail, 12.05.2008reply

I have a Mini 500 Talon with a rotax 670 150hp dialed down to 105 with 15hp reserve. It is a rocket ship great to fly, the beginner control touch is great. The best small helicopter around. Its to bad they got a bad name. And by the way if you read the NTSB reports most crashes are attributed to bad maint. and pilot error!!!! Check out the R22's crash records NOW THATS ALOT OF BODIES AND SMOKIN HOLES>

jose, e-mail, 26.04.2008reply

this is a bad helicopter never flight this helicopter is trimmer machine, ese helicoptero es la cortadora de grama que dice que vuela se apagan volando ,por facilidad, mal diseno

Hristo Mirchev, e-mail, 23.04.2008reply

Pleace, halp me! I want to have a direct e-mail to Sales Division of Revolution Helicopter Corp. I'm interested for to buy single seat "MINI-500" - 100% kit.

ceri, e-mail, 19.04.2008reply

This chopper is the one bad example of what not to look for!! The company had dozens of law suits and under FAA reveiw for bad workmanship, poor design and no rectifying of the issues. In 1999 the owner died of a crash in this very model on take off. The company was gone in Nov.'99. It was a nice idea but poorly executed and next to impossible to unsure now with their bad track record, not mention certiying them is even harder too. If you ever see one flying run away fast!!!

pedro arias, e-mail, 26.05.2008reply

Hola. Estoy interesado en saber todas las especificaciones ya que me interesa comprar uno para poder controlar 500 hectareas con 1500 cabezas de ganado. Tambien quiero saber el costo del mini 500. Gracias

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