It's the Revolution Mini-500. If DIY kit cars based on old Pontiac Fieros are totally your scene, this is the helicopter for you.

Wednesday’s crash involved a singe-seat Revolution Mini 500 helicopter that pilot Richard Smith Jr., 47, of North Dighton, built from a kit as a hobby and certified to fly in 2002.

Revolution Helicopters Inc. in Excelsior Springs, Mo., north of Kansas City, has shipped about 500 of its Mini-500 kits. Mr. Barklage had several other close scrapes, rescues and exploits.