Align T-rex 450 Pro V2

[Vikki]

Not doing a build thread for the lil' fella this time (ok, it turned into a sort of build thread). After doing the tail, head and swash during lunch I found it's pretty much the same process as the 500elf.

Got to say that the quality of the parts is very good. No worries about thread stripping in a crash on the arms connecting linkages to blade grips. There is more meat and depth to the threads than appears in the pictures.

I can see Newton (temporary name) being really sweet to fly. Got an AR7100BX to put on him (donated by Junior). Looking forward to the maiden flight

The motor looks real class unlike Eflite motors. It's the same as the 500 motor to look at just smaller. It feels substantial and has some heft to it. I think this motor is going to deliver the goods. The bottom bearing looks to be a little larger than the bearing in the 450X's motor. Doubt this one will destroy itself 20+ feet up!

I'll post any further details as I get to them but do far - lookin' good

[Stanley Speel]

should be a fun build!

I'm not sure if you did this with the 500 but it certainly helps with the 450 pro as it's really hard to wire the electronics neatly: Assemble one half of the frame and attach all bearing blocks, boom holder servos beastx esc motor etc etc and then do the wiring. Then add the other frame and you have really neat unexposed wiring

I did it the hard way when I had my 450 pro as I had bought the frame used - took ages to wire and still didnt look very neat.

[Sao]

You probably already know this but any pre-built parts need taking apart to check they have been thread locked properly. Enjoy the build

[Vikki]

Thanks, Stanley, I'm not too bothered about the wires so long as it looks neat enough.

I'm really looking forward to flying him and I can see the afternoon dragging.

But before long I'll be out of here like a whippet with a bumfull of dynamite. I'll eat my dinner faster than the dog can devour his and then there'll be flaming footprints to my lady-den then

[Vikki]

Sao, thanks but sorted second build but a good heads-up to any others reading this and approaching their first build.

[Vikki]

One thing that may surprise you when you get your first Align heli is the size of the box. When I first saw the 500 box I said to Brian "they've made a mistake! They've sent me a large hornet!"

On opening the box there are more boxes that neatly mesh together. You can see that there is thought and pride behind this product from the packaging to the parts. The whole Align experience, to me, is just so neat, so right.

[numbskull]

hi vikki

ah let us know how ya get on .. i just picked up a 450 dfc .. will be my first ever heli build !!! quite daunting really !!!.. but also really rather excited .. in a school boy kinda way lol

[Vikki]

I know the feeling.

Just take your time check instructions twice, test fit, you'll be fine. Would love to hear how you get on with yours.

[tsangbou]

One thing that may surprise you when you get your first Align heli is the size of the box. When I first saw the 500 box I said to Brian "they've made a mistake! They've sent me a large hornet!"

On opening the box there are more boxes that neatly mesh together. You can see that there is thought and pride behind this product from the packaging to the parts. The whole Align experience, to me, is just so neat, so right.

LOL i tho the same too when the hobbyshop passed one out to me I thought he had given me the 250 box!

Good luck to your build.

My first build was also the same heli as yours and I found the components are very nicely made.

Careful with mounting the canopy, cuz its tight!

[Vikki]

I've got the tail assembled into the frame. Servos are in as is the motor. Gears and main head are in and the skids are on.

Just one tip, don't put too much effort into tightening the little screws, it's easy to round off the heads and you don't need more than locktite and pinch it up.

Only thing I have noticed is going in auto rotation direction (not driving the motor) the movement feels stiff. Going to have to look into that. I thought the tail felt a little stiff when turning the torque tube rod thingy. My 500 is a lot more free.

Oh, and keep your screws in separate little places because sometimes you'll find yourself hopping from numbered bag to numbered bag before using all screws from one bag. Don't want to mix 'em up Only because I tend to tip my screws into a little dish for easy pick-up. Got three little dishes on the go at the mo'.

Other than that it is going great so far.

[numbskull]

ooooh crackin on nicely then

thanks for the tips vikki .. already had the pots out before i started !!! learnt that with the mcpx lol !!!

Im not quite a progressed as you though ..!!!

photo (10).jpgphoto (11).jpgphoto (12).jpgso far Ive got the frame built with cyclic servos and 3gx unit in the belly of the beast !!! skids and bottom panel ready to go , head assembly built and the tail assemby built and transfer box taken apart and put back together properly !!!

all mechanical parts and sliding parts working freely and silky smooth


i must say im really impressed with the quality of the kit ..if never seen a model kit so well made and thought out !!!

tomorrow shall be torque tube onwards

[Vikki]

You're doing well. Got your work area nicely laid out. Looks like we'll finish in a similar type. Great kits.

[numbskull]

yeah makes a change .. normally theres bits n bobs every where lol

yeah they are cracking kits am definitely a fan !

i spent a fair while trying to figure out how to program my li po charger ..as having never used one before it was like handing a walkman to a cave man !!!

[Vikki]

Ok, found out what was causing stiffness in the main shaft/head/gear assembly. When I fitted the head to the main gear there was a miniscule amount of up/down movement, I fitted the optional shim. That then made it too tight. I've taken it out and all is free again. The movement really is incredibly tiny so I'm not going to worry about it. Probably the thickness of a ciggy paper (whatever one of those is).

Back into the fray now

[Vikki]

Wasn't happy with the movement then discovered there are two thicknesses of shim. One is 0.1mm and the other is 0.2mm there abouts.

Put the thinner one in and all is honky-dory.