Identify this Helicopter

[Scrogg]

You must be a good pilot! I have not seen it in action personally. My dad watched the included video 3 times. Practiced skimming it like they said.The first time he got brave enough to give it some throttle it pitched sideways and slammed into the ground...lol
I told him to wait for me, not that I know much about heli's but I do know r/c.
Feel free to shoot me any info you like. I'll need it!

 

[HPIguy]

You must be a good pilot! I have not seen it in action personally. My dad watched the included video 3 times. Practiced skimming it like they said.The first time he got brave enough to give it some throttle it pitched sideways and slammed into the ground...lol
I told him to wait for me, not that I know much about heli's but I do know r/c.
Feel free to shoot me any info you like. I'll need it!

LOL far from a good pilot, or even pilot for that matter ha ha. I practiced doing nothing but sliding it around the floor for a good week, and controlling that and keeping it in one spot without actually lifting off. From there, the six inch hover. Once you get that, and can transition back into a hover mid air, it becomes much more enjoyable. I'll round up what I've got and send it your way.

 

[PaulC]

Setup is very important, even if the heli is supposed to be RTF or "mostly assembled".

My HK450 came with the head fully assembled. All the bolts were loose enough to have free play everywhere on the head, for example. I also still had to level the swash plate with the servos in and change the blade pitch by a full 2 turns on the links.

The HeliFreak forums and "FinLess Bob's" videos are invaluable.

When you get the new head, first get a swash plate leveler (about $10) and set up the servos correctly so the swash is perfectly level across the pitch range. Having it tilted even 1 degree at hover pitch will result in a roll over if not corrected on take off.

Then put the head on, tighten all the bolts 'snug' and level each set of mixer arms on it (at center stick), these should be okay from factory, but check them. Also check there is thread lock on the metal->metal bolts.

Then check the pitch with a pitch gauge at center, max, min. You should expect about -10, 0, +10.

Check the cyclic pitch response, you should expect somewhere between 8 and 10 degrees. Once you check they are even on the controls, turn them DOWN to 6* using the Swash mix in the controller. You could also lower the overall pitch mix from +/-10 to something more like 8. This will slow the machine down and make it less snappy.

Don't forget to set up your hover pitch/throttle curves, you don't want -10 pitch for hovering! -1 or even 0 at bottom stick is good, 0 in the middle, +8 at the top, you can put a flatter spot in the middle to make hover pitch less sensitive, but remember to tune this out before you consider using idle up. Do leave it linear for the above setup though.

Throttle curve for hover should be a curve that rises sharply low down and then rolls out, something like: 0 40 70 85 100. Why? Motors have a power band and don't produce as much power low down, so you want the head to get up to good speed before half way on the stick.

Gyro setup is also important, but another long story.

 

[HPIguy]

Once you check they are even on the controls, turn them DOWN to 6* using the Swash mix in the controller. You could also lower the overall pitch mix from +/-10 to something more like 8. This will slow the machine down and make it less snappy.

Don't forget to set up your hover pitch/throttle curves, you don't want -10 pitch for hovering! .

Neither of these heli radio systems have those adjustments as they come with low end radio systems to keep costs down. Everything else you posted was dead on though.

 

[Rolex]

That's the reason I build my own helis from internet parts. I have ABSOLUTELY NO USE for the radios they include but I have to pay for them if I want to buy a complete heli. A computerized radio, 6 channel minimum, will make any heli fly like a dream machine once it's been programmed to your liking.

 

[HPIguy]

That's the reason I build my own helis from internet parts. I have ABSOLUTELY NO USE for the radios they include but I have to pay for them if I want to buy a complete heli. A computerized radio, 6 channel minimum, will make any heli fly like a dream machine once it's been programmed to your liking.

That's a really good point Rolex. I think what would help me more than anything is spending some time with someone who has a lot of heli experience, and getting their help / input on things. You can read, google, whatever, but there's nothing like having someone with firsthand experience there to see what you're doing wrong, or give pointers / advice.

 

[PaulC]

That's a really good point Rolex. I think what would help me more than anything is spending some time with someone who has a lot of heli experience, and getting their help / input on things. You can read, google, whatever, but there's nothing like having someone with firsthand experience there to see what you're doing wrong, or give pointers / advice.

Not me Mine hasn't flown yet. My Trex 450 clone that is. It wants to fly though and it's ready bar training gear which I intend to make tomorrow. Weather is crap though. If it's crap all weekend I might use the garage at work for first flight.

I just spun it up to show my brother, took it to about 35% throttle stick on the living room floor. Awesome sound. Fairly intimidating. But he suggested I weigh it down and take it to 50% (0 pitch). I'm fairly confident in my set up that 50% was 0 pitch +/- 1 - you'd need to be confident, sitting 2 foot from a 700mm rotor at 2500-3000rpm. It actually moved the 1kg monkey wrench and 800g pliers on it's skids, just a little bit, just before I hit the throttle cut.

Frightening beast! I intend to be stood a good 10 foot away from it when I first hover it.

 

[Scrogg]

Holy crap! I knew these heli's where very technical, but that is nuts. I really aprreciate the info guys! I will put it to use soon. First problem, my 1:1 car intake hose cracked in half, turned my new plugs white .....That's going to take most of my weekend to get it running right again. Nothing is cheap for a Mazda, except gas.....

 

[HPIguy]

Not me Mine hasn't flown yet. My Trex 450 clone that is. It wants to fly though and it's ready bar training gear which I intend to make tomorrow. Weather is crap though. If it's crap all weekend I might use the garage at work for first flight.

I just spun it up to show my brother, took it to about 35% throttle stick on the living room floor. Awesome sound. Fairly intimidating. But he suggested I weigh it down and take it to 50% (0 pitch). I'm fairly confident in my set up that 50% was 0 pitch +/- 1 - you'd need to be confident, sitting 2 foot from a 700mm rotor at 2500-3000rpm. It actually moved the 1kg monkey wrench and 800g pliers on it's skids, just a little bit, just before I hit the throttle cut.

Frightening beast! I intend to be stood a good 10 foot away from it when I first hover it.

They sound good though, don't they? I flew a friends blade 400, and loved it. Much more stable and responsive than the CP.

Holy crap! I knew these heli's where very technical, but that is nuts. I really aprreciate the info guys! I will put it to use soon. First problem, my 1:1 car intake hose cracked in half, turned my new plugs white .....That's going to take most of my weekend to get it running right again. Nothing is cheap for a Mazda, except gas.....

That sucks man. And yes, they are extremely technical. Whereas an RC car will run just fine with somthing that might be a little bit bent or off, a heli turns into a flying out of balance washing machine.........not a pretty sight.

 

[PaulC]

They sound good though, don't they? I flew a friends blade 400, and loved it. Much more stable and responsive than the CP.

Lovely sound. Deadly though, those blades.... I got my hand in the CX3 blades the other night after an alloy refit I paniced after take off and decided to grap it out of the air. The blades under power caught the tip of my thumb and finger. Best way to describe it was like being 'caned' in school, if anyone is old enough to remember that. If not... being whipped in the finger tips with a bamboo cane. Thorbbed but didn't break skin or swell.

The 450... You are going to ER if you get any part of your self in those blades.

a heli turns into a flying out of balance washing machine

Flying lawnmower more like.

EDIT: One thing I'll say to any reading this who hasn't been face to face with one, YouTube videos etc, don't do the sound justice. And definitely don't give you the adrenaline and fear.

 

[HPIguy]

Lovely sound. Deadly though, those blades.... I got my hand in the CX3 blades the other night after an alloy refit I paniced after take off and decided to grap it out of the air. The blades under power caught the tip of my thumb and finger. Best way to describe it was like being 'caned' in school, if anyone is old enough to remember that. If not... being whipped in the finger tips with a bamboo cane. Thorbbed but didn't break skin or swell.

The 450... You are going to ER if you get any part of your self in those blades.




Flying lawnmower more like.

I had the CP get me once. I have no idea why, but like an idiot I reached down and turned the radio off before unplugging the battery. The little balsa blades splintered, and I looked like I had gotten into a fight with a weedeater. And yeah, bigger helis are no joke, they WILL hurt you.

 

[Rolex]

Keep in mind that these helis are predatory birds. If they are facing you, everything you do will be backwards, and they will bite you.

2 suggestions:
Buy the RealFlight simulator and relax while learning to operate them.
Go to a local flying club and have a heli guy check it out, trim it and give you some instructions.

 

[Scrogg]

The backwards issue would not be a problem to me....10 years of r/c, that problem is long gone. My Dad however....Driving my r/c truck can still confuse him on left to right!
Oh well, got parts...going to fix it hopefully!

 

[HPIguy]

The backwards issue would not be a problem to me....10 years of r/c, that problem is long gone. My Dad however....Driving my r/c truck can still confuse him on left to right!
Oh well, got parts...going to fix it hopefully!

I thought the same thing man, but it's different on a heli since three things reverse instead of just one, at least it was for me. I still suck at nose in stuff.

 

[Scrogg]

Well I fixed it, then 4 hours later broke the damn swash plate readjusting the linkages back to factory. I'm about ready to sell this thing or trade it for a good electric truck!
It's sitting on the shelf while i cool down and make yet another trip to the LHS.
Not one damn part # is correct on this thing so far....good news is I only spent 30 bucks so far! I was considering aluminum head parts. The thing bent the feathering spindle on the first crash though! I'm scared of bending the main shaft if I put an aluminum swashplate, center hub, side blocks and seesaws on it.
Upgrading the gyro to the Futaba heading hold gyro sounds like the ticket.
What do you guys think?
I will say one good thing .....it has some serious power! I had it spinning in circles on the coffe table without lifting off. I would not want to be hit with a blade @ partial throttle, let alone WAO!

 

[SMaxxin]

I had an Axe cp and the Blade cp pro...the AXE was a little more stable because of it's weight but the Blade was much more responsive, I'm guessing due to it's lack of weight.

The backwards issue would not be a problem to me....10 years of r/c, that problem is long gone.

But are you that confident with a stick controller? I have no issues with a pistol but the sticks kick my butt, I ho no problems with the left stick but for the right stick my brains says one thing and my hand does another LOL.

I had it spinning in circles on the coffe table without lifting off.

Were you trying to get it to lift or just wanting to make it spin? It should lift pretty easy unless the blades/fly bar is out of balance. Also if it starts to spin right away there should be some pots to adjust on the mixer for the main rotor and tail rotor mix, this should help it stay pointed straight while lifting.

 

[Scrogg]

I was trying to get it to lift, but i noticed a lot of vibration and shut it down. A screw on one of the linkage to blade grips came out. Then afterwards I decided to check all the linkage measurements with the manual to make sure I did not mix something up or that damage was done in the crash. That's when i broke the swashplate ball link.....damnit.
I have to recenter everything once i get the new swashplate. BTW al. is out of the question, I just saw the prices, OUCH! Not spending that much.
As far as stick controllers go, that's what I started with in r/c back in the day! I thought pistol radios where the dumbest thing ever when I got back into the hobby 15 years later! I'm used to either, but for trucks/cars, pistol style is the way to go for sure....

Keep in mind that these helis are predatory birds. If they are facing you, everything you do will be backwards, and they will bite you.

2 suggestions:
Buy the RealFlight simulator and relax while learning to operate them.
Go to a local flying club and have a heli guy check it out, trim it and give you some instructions.

I'm starting to get the hint old man!

 

[PaulC]

Just to make you jealous I bought a whole upgraded kit heli (HK450 V2) for my 450 for something like $39.99. Thats the whole heli minus electronics and motor.

Also got a fully alloy main rotor head, mainshaft and fly bar for $30. Alloy tail for $18. All delivered with screws, ball link pliers 2 spare servos and a bunch of other stuff from hong kong in 3 days for £60 (UK money).

Hobbyking currently have their 450GT Pro for $69. Defo worth it. Maybe you should check if the electronics are compatible. They also have a Futaba "clone" 401B gyro for $13.99.