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Tag1260 · 07-12-2011, 05:56 PM

What will 450 size paddles do on a Lepton? Will they make it more or less responsive? I've read where guys use them but no one really gives a good description of what they do.
Thanks

prototype3a · 07-12-2011, 07:36 PM

It is possible and I did it in the past. Paddles are generally all about weight. Lighter will make the cyclic super responsive and quick but at the expense of stability. This is why many go with FBL. FBL gives you the quickness without the loss of stability.

Tag1260 · 07-12-2011, 07:41 PM

OK.Sounds good to me. Now, what role does area play? In theory, could you go to a bigger, heavier paddle to tame a heli down? Does size matter as much as weight?

Thanks

Ah Clem · 07-12-2011, 07:47 PM

There is a bit more than weight to paddle design...

Although, in general, a heavier paddle will yield more stabilty and a slower response, there is also area, airfoil, thickness, sharpness at the leading edge, taper, and flybar mounting position (also flybar length).

All of these things make a difference. You can have a thick CF paddle, such as a "V Blades" paddle, which is very light, yet slow, especially around center, due to its thickness and very blunt leading edge. These are also very stable.

You can have a sharp, thin paddle, of the same weight, and it will be quicker around center (sometimes too quick).

You can take that same sharp, quick paddle, increase its area, get some of the stability back, and not lose the quick response.

You can take that same paddle, and change the mounting position of the flybar and change the characteristics again (flybar closer to the leading edge=slower response; flybar mounted further aft=quicker response). Because the weight the airfoil, and the area are the same, the stability remains unchanged, only the speed of the hiller response (following rate).

I installed KBDD Paddles on every machine that I have that still has a flybar on it. They have a good combination of weight and airfoil, and provide nice quick cyclic while still being remarkably stable.

I do not know what the flybar diameter is on the Lepton (as I recall, it is a 500 sized machine). I have used the KBDD Paddles on my Atom, which has a 2.5mm diameter flybar. They provided more stability and were quicker than the stock paddles. They might help with your Lepton.

Tag1260 · 07-12-2011, 07:55 PM

Ah Clem

It's the KBDD paddles for the 450 that I read would work on the Lepton. What do you know of their response vs. the stock paddles?
Thanks
Tag

Ah Clem · 07-12-2011, 09:21 PM

I would think that the paddle area would be marginally too small on the 450 paddle for the Lepton.

What is the diameter of the flybar?

prototype3a · 07-12-2011, 09:36 PM

I tried them once. I didn't like it. I did find the MSH "Gorilla" paddles to be kinda nice though.

The flybar is 450 sizeish. I'm guessing 2mm. I asked KBDD a while back about making some 500 size ones with smaller holes for the Lepton and they basically said to come back when the Lepton becomes popular and that "many" use their 450 paddles on it which I just don't believe.

Tag1260 · 07-12-2011, 09:42 PM

Thanks for all the replies. Did you use all the weights with the Gorillas?

Thanks again
Tag

prototype3a · 07-12-2011, 09:46 PM

I think I did, but I really can't remember. It was several years ago. I run those same paddles with the weights cut in half on my 450. Get some brass rod and you can experiment with all sorts of different weights.

piyaphan1 · 07-13-2011, 10:24 PM

Lepton's 2mm flybar only allow 450 paddle which are all too small and worsen the cyclic response. 500 class flybar has 2.5mm hole and won't fit.

That was the reason I went FBL on my Lepton.

Tag1260 · 07-23-2011, 03:36 PM

Anyone find a set of aftermarket paddles that work on the Lepton? The Gorillas and the KBBD's both did not end well for me.

Nothing too major but WAAAAYYYYY too fast and being uncontrollable. Going back to the stock paddles for now. Also need to get some more tail blades as I took out two sets experimenting with these paddles.

prototype3a · 07-23-2011, 04:05 PM

Ouch! I'm sorry to hear that. I thought you were looking for it to be faster.

Tag1260 · 07-23-2011, 04:17 PM

There's faster and then there's what I just did!!!

prototype3a · 07-23-2011, 05:19 PM

LOL! I remember it was pretty quick with those 450 size paddles on it. Especially the kbdd ones. It was silly sensitive. I wonder how the MA Furion 450 paddles would work for you.

Tag1260 · 07-23-2011, 06:30 PM

LOL Maybe the stock paddles weren't so bad after all.

Aren't the Furion paddles the same as the Gorilla's?

Looking for a tail pitch slider and some tail blades. Blades are everywhere but I can't seem to find a slider. Any hints where to look? Ron's and Heliproz are both out.

prototype3a · 07-23-2011, 07:35 PM

I found the Furion paddles to be a smidge more tame than the Gorrillas.

07-12-2011, 05:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tag1260 Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2008	450 paddles on a Lepton What will 450 size paddles do on a Lepton? Will they make it more or less responsive? I've read where guys use them but no one really gives a good description of what they do. Thanks

07-12-2011, 07:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ah Clem Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2006	There is a bit more than weight to paddle design... Although, in general, a heavier paddle will yield more stabilty and a slower response, there is also area, airfoil, thickness, sharpness at the leading edge, taper, and flybar mounting position (also flybar length). All of these things make a difference. You can have a thick CF paddle, such as a "V Blades" paddle, which is very light, yet slow, especially around center, due to its thickness and very blunt leading edge. These are also very stable. You can have a sharp, thin paddle, of the same weight, and it will be quicker around center (sometimes too quick). You can take that same sharp, quick paddle, increase its area, get some of the stability back, and not lose the quick response. You can take that same paddle, and change the mounting position of the flybar and change the characteristics again (flybar closer to the leading edge=slower response; flybar mounted further aft=quicker response). Because the weight the airfoil, and the area are the same, the stability remains unchanged, only the speed of the hiller response (following rate). I installed KBDD Paddles on every machine that I have that still has a flybar on it. They have a good combination of weight and airfoil, and provide nice quick cyclic while still being remarkably stable. I do not know what the flybar diameter is on the Lepton (as I recall, it is a 500 sized machine). I have used the KBDD Paddles on my Atom, which has a 2.5mm diameter flybar. They provided more stability and were quicker than the stock paddles. They might help with your Lepton. __________________ KBDD-Team Captain, JR DFA Team Pilot. Forza 450, Forza 600N, Forza 700, Compass 6HV-U, Warp, 7HV,Knight Pro,Knight 3D, Atom, Odin II, 6HV, 3D Plus, Knight 50, Chronos, Velos, Steam 550 and 600, OMP M2 (and anything else I can get my hands on...).

07-12-2011, 09:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ah Clem Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2006	I would think that the paddle area would be marginally too small on the 450 paddle for the Lepton. What is the diameter of the flybar? __________________ KBDD-Team Captain, JR DFA Team Pilot. Forza 450, Forza 600N, Forza 700, Compass 6HV-U, Warp, 7HV,Knight Pro,Knight 3D, Atom, Odin II, 6HV, 3D Plus, Knight 50, Chronos, Velos, Steam 550 and 600, OMP M2 (and anything else I can get my hands on...).

07-12-2011, 09:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	I tried them once. I didn't like it. I did find the MSH "Gorilla" paddles to be kinda nice though. The flybar is 450 sizeish. I'm guessing 2mm. I asked KBDD a while back about making some 500 size ones with smaller holes for the Lepton and they basically said to come back when the Lepton becomes popular and that "many" use their 450 paddles on it which I just don't believe. Last edited by prototype3a; 07-12-2011 at 09:49 PM.. Reason: typo lol

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07-12-2011, 07:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	It is possible and I did it in the past. Paddles are generally all about weight. Lighter will make the cyclic super responsive and quick but at the expense of stability. This is why many go with FBL. FBL gives you the quickness without the loss of stability.

07-12-2011, 07:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tag1260 Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2008	OK.Sounds good to me. Now, what role does area play? In theory, could you go to a bigger, heavier paddle to tame a heli down? Does size matter as much as weight? Thanks

07-12-2011, 07:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tag1260 Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2008	Ah Clem It's the KBDD paddles for the 450 that I read would work on the Lepton. What do you know of their response vs. the stock paddles? Thanks Tag

07-12-2011, 09:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tag1260 Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2008	Thanks for all the replies. Did you use all the weights with the Gorillas? Thanks again Tag

07-12-2011, 09:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	I think I did, but I really can't remember. It was several years ago. I run those same paddles with the weights cut in half on my 450. Get some brass rod and you can experiment with all sorts of different weights.

07-13-2011, 10:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
piyaphan1 Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2009	Lepton's 2mm flybar only allow 450 paddle which are all too small and worsen the cyclic response. 500 class flybar has 2.5mm hole and won't fit. That was the reason I went FBL on my Lepton.

07-23-2011, 03:36 PM	#11 (permalink)
Tag1260 Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2008	Anyone find a set of aftermarket paddles that work on the Lepton? The Gorillas and the KBBD's both did not end well for me. Nothing too major but WAAAAYYYYY too fast and being uncontrollable. Going back to the stock paddles for now. Also need to get some more tail blades as I took out two sets experimenting with these paddles.

07-23-2011, 04:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	Ouch! I'm sorry to hear that. I thought you were looking for it to be faster.

07-23-2011, 04:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
Tag1260 Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2008	There's faster and then there's what I just did!!!

07-23-2011, 05:19 PM	#14 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	LOL! I remember it was pretty quick with those 450 size paddles on it. Especially the kbdd ones. It was silly sensitive. I wonder how the MA Furion 450 paddles would work for you.

07-23-2011, 06:30 PM	#15 (permalink)
Tag1260 Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2008	LOL Maybe the stock paddles weren't so bad after all. Aren't the Furion paddles the same as the Gorilla's? Looking for a tail pitch slider and some tail blades. Blades are everywhere but I can't seem to find a slider. Any hints where to look? Ron's and Heliproz are both out.

07-23-2011, 07:35 PM	#16 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	I found the Furion paddles to be a smidge more tame than the Gorrillas.

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