Since Trex450S CF is an ARF kit, you need to buy additional electronic and power system in order to fly the helicopter if you are starting from scratch. With today RC helicopter market, you have many choices and options when it comes to electronic and power system. Below is my personal recommended electronic and power system I use for this helicopter build and set up. They have been tested and proven to be working great at least for my flying style.

For electronic system:

• Align ESC BL35X (included with the kit)
• Hitec HS-65HB servos ($24.96). Unlike Hitec HS-56HB, the servo will save me from drilling the hole, as there are three installation holes for two-hole frame or one-hole frame. I can just use the middle hole for Trex450 frame. It fits the Trex450 frame perfectly and it has more speed.
• GY401 and 1 FUT S9650 servo for tail servo ($179.95)
• Futaba R146iP PCM ($79.99)
• Futaba Crystal Short R114F 72MHz
• Futaba 9C Super Radio

Note: all prices were quoted at the time I bought them in December 2006.  
 

For power:

Thunder Power eXtreme Series 2070 mAh pack. It is labeled with 25C cont/40 burst (51A cont/82 burst)

Build, Set Up, Adjustment

Build

Building Trex450S is straightforward. Since 85% (basically major pieces of the helicopter) was already assembled, it would not take you long to figure out where each part needs to go or is put together. However, going through and make sure each part was correctly installed with CA or thread lock from the factory is highly recommended. Please refer to my step by step building thread here. Note: there is a small problem encountered during building flybar set which you should be aware of.

Set up and adjustment

If you use the recommended electronic and power system above, set up is also easy. Align has done a great job in terms of providing measurements from one ball link to another in the owner manual. If you followed the manual strictly step by step when you build it, you will not have to adjust much to get your correct servo throws, swashplate movements and pitch set up. Please refer to my step by step building thread here. There are instructions step by step on how to program Align ESC BL35X in the thread.

• Go to the Trex450S CF Review Page 1
• Go to the Trex450S CF Review page 3
• Go to the Trex450S CF Build Thread