Newbie with a Blade 400

[Listey]

Hi all.

Checked out this forum a couple of weeks ago when my son bought me a Blade 400 for my 40th birthday (was I chuffed or what) and I was impressed by the info I found on here. Apart from an addiction to Picoo Zs neither of us have any heli experience. We've both raced IC cars, I've screwed together an IC Caliber .30 for a friend (I couldnt fly it although I could "hop" it about like a good 'un) and the boy's had a bit of experience with IC 'planes.

Impressed with what we found in the box we spooled the Blade up a few times in the house but today was the first time we got to play out properly. What a superb way to spend christmas day.......... We've spent all day constantly charging/discharging our 2 batts and learning at the deep end. By the time darkness fell we'd both managed to hover around the front garden with a reasonable modicum of control but we did have a few accidents. We've done one set of blades, a front skid hanger and a cyclic servo gear but we had a ball. Replacements and lots of spares will be on order soon and then the serious learning starts.

I'm sure I'll be asking all of you for advice and tips in the coming months so please be gentle.

Cheers
Listey

[inpar]

Welcome Listey,

You've come to the right place, you'll get all the help you need here, for example, have you looked at the blade 400 thread ? It gives you a good insight into tx settings etc, I found it very helpfull setting up my first cp.

Good luck and let us know how you get on, oh ! and don't worry about using loads of expo, it saves an awfull lot of twitchyness when you're starting out.

Cheers for now

Dave.

[Boggy]

hi listey and welcome to the forum. the blade is a great little inexpensive heli to learn on. you'll have great fun

[heliTV]

Welcome to the forum Listey from a fellow B400 flyer (and crasher!)

Boggy (the main B400 guru) has already replied and was SO helpful when I started (and still is if truth be told!) - knows the thing inside out!

All the best

Graham

[Taunt]

I'm new to Heli's! Not even bought one yet! I'm gonna get the Blade 400 and the Phoenix v2 flight Sim. I've read the beginners guide (Above) however, was wondering what would be the core items to purchase with the blade? I.E incase of crashes etc etc... I know I need training sets, but are there specific sets for the blade?. Was going to buy the heli from Fast-lad and order everything with it at the same time.

I'm living in the Swansea area and cant seem to find a model shops near me, so looks as though its going to be online shopping only. Anyone in the swansea area? gimmie a shout!

[matt27]

hi taunt
if u get the blade 400 then u WILL crash
i learnt on a cx2 and phoenix and this taught me the basics of rc heli flying but there is now the blade mcx and if i were you i would get a tx (futaba/spektrum dx6i/7) and the mcx bind and fly and phoenix then after you have got to grips with this then you could move onto cp machines and fly from ur tx
good luck what ever way you decide to go m8

ty

Matt

[heliTV]

I'm new to Heli's! Not even bought one yet! I'm gonna get the Blade 400 and the Phoenix v2 flight Sim. I've read the beginners guide (Above) however, was wondering what would be the core items to purchase with the blade? I.E incase of crashes etc etc... I know I need training sets, but are there specific sets for the blade?. Was going to buy the heli from Fast-lad and order everything with it at the same time.

I'm living in the Swansea area and cant seem to find a model shops near me, so looks as though its going to be online shopping only. Anyone in the swansea area? gimmie a shout!

Hi Taunt

If you go for the Blade 400 straight off, its a steep leaning curve. Make sure you have plenty of practice on the sim first but don't let this give you too much confidence - it's more difficult on the real thing!!

With regard to training gear, many consist of 4 carbon rods, 4 sponge balls and a plastic centre hub. I broke my centre hub within seconds so got 2 rods from the local model shop and put the balls on it.

If you're mobile, I'd recommend a visit to Hobby Hangar in Yeovil - not THAT far from Swansea(!). They'll be able to help and always offer good advice. Failing that, give them a ring and speak to Ade...

I had a fair amount of grief with my Blade (all self-inflicted!) but its worth it in the end...

All the best

Graham