Well, the kit has arrived and the build is underway. Unfortunately, due to a mixup the frames and bottom plate were missing from the box. The kit came from RRE Models and a call to Bobby Smith got it sorted out and the replacement parts are on the way and should be here in a day or two. In the meantime, I’ve managed to get the head assembled and the tail assembly is completed too.

The kit is the Align T Rex 500 ESP kit #KX017011 which includes the new 500M motor, the Align ESC, 3 Align DS510 cyclic servos, an Align DS520 servo for the tail and the Align GP780 gyro. I won’t be using the gyro, and will be installing a Spartan DS760 instead. I just trust it more. In fact, the Align gyro has already been sold.

I am building this heli out of the gate as a flybarless model, and to that end, have chosen to build the head with the Mikado T Rex 500 flybarless head conversion kit. The control will be done by a Skookum Robotics SK360 module, donated by my 600E. (The 600E is slated for upgrade to the SK720 unit in the near future). RX will be a Spektrum AR6200. Power is being supplied by the new Hyperion G3 2600 mAh 6s 35C Li-Poly pack, which will also be reviewed separately.

Check back for more details. I’m planning on having this build done soon, since I’m hogging up the kitchen table with it and the wife is not going to let that continue for too much longer!