Blade 450 vs Blade 400

Published: June 2, 2011
 
Differences, similarities, and overall design changes between the Blade 450 and its predecessor, the Blade 400.

Article

Blade 450 vs. Blade 400

The Blade 450 looks similar to its predecessor, the Blade 400; however, a closer inspection will reveal a significant effort on behalf of the Blade team to bring to market a different and much improved product while not abandoning their original market niche: the buyers who want a solid ready-to-fly heli in a platform that provides them with room to grow.

Cosmetics

Visually there is a nice aesthetic upgrade from the Blade 400.  The canopy choices are a nice improvement over the dated 400 "tribal" design.  The one-piece landing gear adds another nice visual improvement over the old multi-part strut/skid arrangement.  Toping it off is a newly designed tail fin and larger horizontal fin.

  • New canopy design
  • New landing gear design
  • New tail fins

Electronic Upgrades

In the grand scheme of all changes made to the old Blade 400 design, the changes to the electronics on the Blade 450 are probably the most requested.  In the past, Blade 400 owners have typically opted to replace all of the stock servos, the gyro, and sometimes the ESC.  Welcome in the ranks of 400-size Blade fans will be a newly designed suite of servos, and improved gyro, and a more substantially sized 35 Amp ESC.  

  • Upgraded servos (DS76-series)
  • Upgraded gyro (G210HL) uses the latest MEMS technology
  • ESC has been upgraded from a 25 Amp to a 35 Amp

Frame and Tail

The frame and tail boom have undergone subtle changes, although the setup is still very similar to the original components found on the 400.

  • Tail servo is now boom mounted
  • Different tail boom
  • Different frame
  • Same belt
  • Weighted tail grips
  • New tail slider and control arm
  • New tail box and tail output shaft

Head and Main Gear

Of the changes to the main drive system, most notably are the new aluminum head components and the simpler main gear arrangement.

Upgraded one-way bearing now uses a metal hub that is fixed to the main gear with four screws.  This allows for easier one-way bearing changes as well as the ability to change out a stripped main gear without having to press out/in a new one-way bearing -- just move the hub from the old main gear to the new one and reinstall into the heli.

Upgraded Components

  • Aluminum head block and head button
  • New blade grips
  • New main gear assembly

Though the two helicopters may look similar, there are few parts that are interchangeable.  For roughly $120 a Blade 400 owner can completely make-over their existing Blade 400 into a Blade 450; although, in most cases owners will likely opt to do it section by section.

Overall, the Blade 450 is a significantly changed version of its Blade 400 predecessor.

 
 
 
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