Breda-Nardi NH 500E
Breda-Nardi · Italy · first flew 1968 · helicopter
The NH 500E is an Italian-licence-built version of the Hughes OH-6/500 light turbine helicopter, produced by Breda-Nardi for civil and military customers.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.01 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Five-blade main rotor on compact light utility helicopter
- Teardrop-shaped bubble canopy with skid undercarriage
- Hughes 500 family built under licence in Italy
Recognisable by its egg-shaped fuselage, short boom, T-tail, and five-blade rotor — identical in silhouette to the Hughes 500 but carrying Breda-Nardi markings.
Specifications
- The Breda-Nardi NH 500E has a length of 7.01 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.05 m (26 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 248 km/h (154 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 + 4 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Breda-Nardi obtained a licence from Hughes Helicopters to manufacture the 500 series in Italy during the late 1960s. The NH 500E variant featured the Allison 250-C20B turboshaft and five-blade main rotor, improving on earlier Italian examples. It found buyers among Italian police, military, and private operators.
Variants
The NH 500 family included the D, E, and MC (anti-tank) sub-variants, all sharing the same basic Hughes 500 airframe with locally sourced or enhanced equipment.
Where you'll see it
Operated extensively by the Italian Army and law enforcement; also exported to several European and African nations.
Related aircraft
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