Gartt 450L: Budget 450-Size Helicopter Kit Explained
The Gartt 450L is a budget 450-size flybarless helicopter kit, sold as compatible with Align T-Rex 450L parts. Like the 450L class, it uses about 360 mm main blades (roughly 800–820 mm rotor), a torque-tube tail drive, a flybarless head with 120° eCCPM swashplate, and typically runs on 6S with an outrunner around 1800 kV, a 35–50 A ESC, three micro cyclic servos and a fast tail servo. It’s popular with pilots who want a 450 on a tight budget and are comfortable with setup.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20264 min read
Typical setup
| Item | Typical |
|---|---|
| Main blades | About 360 mm |
| Rotor diameter | About 800–820 mm |
| Tail drive | Torque tube |
| Head | Flybarless, 120° eCCPM |
| Motor | ~1600–2000 kV, commonly 1800 kV on 6S |
| ESC | 35–50 A with governor |
| Servos | 3 micro cyclic + 1 fast tail |
| All-up weight | About 800–900 g |
Typical 450L-class values; check your kit’s instructions.
About clone kits
Gartt and similar brands offer kits that follow Align’s 450L design and accept many of its parts. They cost less, but quality control can vary, and some parts may need tidying or replacing (bearings, screws, ball links). Many pilots build them carefully, checking every part, and end up with a capable helicopter.
Build tips
- Clean and threadlock every metal-to-metal screw.
- Check bearings spin smoothly; replace rough ones.
- Make sure ball links fit without slop or binding.
- Balance main and tail blades.
- Set the swashplate level and zero pitch at mid stick.
- Set up the flybarless controller carefully; see helicopter gyros.
Flying
A 450 is nimble and responsive, more so than larger helicopters. Practise on a simulator, start with low head speed and low rates, and fly over grass. Larger, smoother helicopters are compared in best mid-size RC helicopters.
Parts
- Main blades and tail blades.
- Main shaft, feathering shaft and spindle.
- Torque tube and tail gears.
- Ball links and servo horns.
- Canopy and landing gear.
Because it’s compatible with 450L-class parts, spares are easy to source from various makers.
Who it suits
The Gartt 450L suits budget-minded pilots who enjoy building and tuning, and who already fly collective-pitch helicopters at least in stabilised mode. Beginners may prefer an RTF with good support.
Choosing the electronics
The kit is usually sold without electronics, so budget for them separately. A 450 needs a brushless outrunner sized for the class, an ESC with a governor mode for steady head speed, three micro or mini cyclic servos with metal gears, a fast tail servo, a flybarless unit and a receiver. Because a 450 is light, cheap no-name servos are tempting, but slop or slow response in the servos shows up directly as poor handling, and a tail servo failure usually means a crash. Many pilots spend more on servos and the flybarless controller than on the frame itself. Pick a battery size the frame accepts comfortably, and secure it well: a battery that shifts in flight changes the centre of gravity.
First spool-up
Before the first flight, remove the main blades and check motor direction, servo directions and gyro correction on the bench. Then fit the blades, stand well back and spool up slowly on level ground, watching for vibration or tracking problems before lifting off.
Gartt or genuine Align?
A genuine Align T-Rex 450L costs more but comes with consistent quality and dealer support. The Gartt kit saves money if you are willing to inspect, adjust and occasionally replace parts. Either way, the flying quality depends mostly on careful assembly and good electronics.
FAQ
Is the Gartt 450L compatible with Align parts?
It’s sold as compatible with many T-Rex 450L parts.
What battery does it use?
Commonly 6S in 450L setups.
Is it good for beginners?
Better for pilots with some heli experience.
What tail drive does it use?
Torque tube.
More on this topic: the complete RC Helicopters guide covers the basics behind this article.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
