HK 450 assembly.

The purpose of this article is to assemble the HK 450 kit in a logical sequence so that no part mounted should be in the way of the next part to be installed. This is for the completion of the kit. (with servos and motor). Some steps can be done independent from the assembly sequence and some steps can be changed around without causing an obstacle later on. Spares are not packed according to replacement part numbers. Some packets in the kit: The frame. Mounting plate.

Screws etc.

Tail boom; tail struts etc.

Tail Parts & Paddles.

Vertical stabilizer.

1.

Remove the motor mounting plate (F017) and install the motor. (Looking from the side, the front holes are higher than the rear. This indicates the top side of the mounting plate.) Use pan head screws and/or washers to preserve the plastic slot. Fit the pinion and lightly tighten the grub screw. Refit the complete motor mounting plate with motor. Install the servo's, using the screws provided with the kit. (Picture "screws" packet A). It is easier to install the screws from the inside and to hold the plastic "nut" on the outside. Change the front linkages around (longer link to the right). The right servo should be in the bottom slot and the left servo in the top slot. [Should the servo arm touch the main gear when too much negative pitch occur, it will slide and not jam into the gear.] Place the gear side of all servos facing towards the rear. (You may need to remove the screw and collar indicated, to fit the top servo). Fit the ball on the servo side (inside) of three control arms.

2.

Glue the bottom gear of the belt drive unit (F016) in place (on the shaft) with super glue or epoxy. (a flaw reported that some comes loose). Move the gear upwards (if it is loose). Roughen the shaft with a file. Place CA on the shaft and slide the gear back into place. Ensure the glue does not protrude above the edge of the gear. It will interfere with the main gear.

3.

Untie the drive belt on the tail unit (F028) found in the "tail parts" bag. Check the direction of rotation of the tail rotor shaft.

When the belt end is moved in a clockwise direction (viewed from the top), the shaft should turn clockwise (viewed from the right side of the helicopter). Feed the belt through the tail boom, maintaining the orientation. Slide the tail servo rod holders and the servo mounts onto the tail boom. (Loosen the tail boom clamp screws a few turns). Feed the drive belt through the rear end of the helicopter and slide the tail boom to the front of the helicopter. Place the drive belt over the drive gear. Slide the tail boom backwards to tighten the drive belt. Ensure the correct direction of rotation and adjust the belt tension. Tighten the tail boom clamp screws. Cut a piece (10 to 25 mm) off the plastic tube provided. Slide the tail servo rod (F025) through the holders (holder - tube - holder) and fit the ball links. Clip the rear link into place. Clip the tube into the hook on the horizontal stabilizer holder. Fit the vertical stabilizer.

4. Installing the flybar. Loosen one grub screws that is holding the screws, in the hole of the flybar, in place. There are very small washers held in place by each screw. Tightly pinch the flybar control set (F006) and the flybar seesaw holder (F003) together before removing a screw. (Save these screws to mount the tail struts). Place the flybar in the hole. Slide the bar through the hole, pushing the other screw out. (Washers remain in place). Slide the flybar to the center position. Slightly tighten any grub screw. Slide the counter weights (F009) on to the flybar. Install the paddles. (about 23 turns) Measure the distances to center the flybar. (standard setup) Place each counter weight against the paddle and tighten the grub screw. Remove the center ball link from the swashplate. 5. Getting the main gear (F020) ready for installation. Place the spacer in position on the main gear.

Place the gear set in position. Install the main shaft unit aligning the holes in the shaft and gear set. Fit the screw through the gear and shaft. Insert the nut and tighten. Slide the collar on the shaft downwards and tighten the grub screws. 6. Slide one rubber stopper on to each landing skid pipe. Glue the end tips on place. Mount the landing skids on the bottom plate (F018). (The bottom ends are angled forward). Slide the pipes into place and fit the rubber stoppers.

Fit the bottom plate assembly. (Front screws)

7. Glue the tail strut ends onto one side of the tail struts. Fasten these ends on the body with the screws (and collar) saved from step 4. Fit the horizontal stabilizer. (white mount from "Paddles & vertical stabilizer" bag). Put glue into the remaining tail strut end. Place onto tail strut and screw into place, using the shaft screw and collar provided in "Tail Parts" bag.

(Both tail strut ends could be glued at once if the correct placing is ensured). Space the tail servo rod holders and glue into place. 8. Mount the canopy holders. Mount the anti rotation part. (F014) Fasten the center link back into position onto the swashplate. Install the tail servo.

9.

10.

Install the tail rotor blades.

11.

Install the mounting plate (F013).

12.

Fit the grommets into place on the canopy.

For interest sake: I had nothing to modify on the blades I received.

The final product including visibility improvement (for me).