T-Rex 450 Pro-Lite
Just thougt I would share this information for anyone interested in making a light-weight setup on a T-Rex 450.
After hearing so much how lighter disk-loading helis fly better and my experience flying and designing 3D planes – I wanted to see what I could do to make a light heli set up. After considering several options, I decided to use a T-Rex Pro as my platform because this has a light frame setup to start with. I bought an inexpensive HK 450Pro and converted to FBL head ($12.50) with a Walkera 2702V 3-axis Gyro/Receiver (since I already use a Walkera 2801-Pro TX). The upshot is that I took 6 ozs off of the stock heli setup and this heli flies fantastic – like a 600 size – smooth and controlled, but also super-fast and crisp. I can even fly hands off (for a few seconds). How did save weight? By the following:
1) Drilled holes in many of the plastic parts
2) Dermaled out areas of the CF frame (trying not to compromise rigidity or strength)
3) Replaced stock canopy with a Walkera 400 size canopy
4) Replaced T-boom struts with shorter lighter ones
5) Used a lighter motor setup (Turnigy typhoon 2218H)
6) Used a light Phoenix 35 ESC
7) Using light 1800MAH batteries
8) Going FBL with 3-Axis Gyro/Receiver combo
I also own 5 other Trex-Pros, Sports, and V2 helis and have flown friends 500-600 class Trex helis, and this is my favorite by far. Another of my Pros with the Align 3G setup and Scorpion 2221-8 weighs 30 ozs compare to this one at 23 ozs. Even with the lower MAH battery (I normally fly 2200 in my 450s) due the light setup, I still get 5-6 minutes of flight time.
I love the Walkera 2702V 3-Axis/Receiver – it is super light, easy to setup and it has giving me way less problems than my 3G and performs better. No bobble on half flips, no porpoising on high speed FFF, tails hold rock steady on hard collective punches