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Align T-REX helicopters
By Paul Walsh Last reviewed
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If you flew collective pitch helicopters at any point after about 2005, you'll know the T-REX. Align's 450 became the default "proper" electric helicopter: everyone at the club seemed to have one, parts were in every model shop, and countless clones copied it. RC Mods sold T-REX parts and repaired them throughout its time, and Align parts are still among the most-linked pages from the old site.
Align in brief
Align is a Taiwanese company that built its name on the T-REX range of electric (and later larger) helicopters. Beyond the airframes it has made motors, ESCs, servos, gyros and flybarless units. By April 2006 the T-REX 450 was selling as a kit for under $200 in several versions, according to Model Aviation magazine.
Status (checked October 2026): still trading. UK dealers such as Model Helicopters UK list the T-REX 300X, 470LP, 470LM, 470LT, 500X, 650X and 700X, with many versions sold out at any one time.
The T-REX sizes
| T-REX | Rotor diameter | Battery | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300X | about 525mm | 3S 1300mAh | Small, cheap to crash, park flying |
| 450 / 450L | about 710 to 804mm | 3S (classic) or 6S (450L) | The classic; still a good second helicopter |
| 470L series | about 850mm | 6S 1400 to 1900mAh | A modern take on the 450 size |
| 500X | about 1054mm | 6S 2600 to 3300mAh | The best balance for many club flyers |
| 550X / 600 | about 1250 to 1350mm | 6S to 12S | Smooth, serious flying |
| 650X | about 1455mm | 6S or 12S | Large, stable, impressive |
| 700X | about 1582mm | 12S | Full-size competition class |
Sizes are explained more generally in RC helicopter sizes. Rotor and battery figures from Model Helicopters UK listings.
The classic models
The 450 went through many versions: the early 450 and SE, the 450 SE V2, the 450 Pro, the 450 Sport and the 450L. Earlier ones were flybarred, with a mechanical flybar on the head; later ones are flybarless, using an electronic controller. Converting an older 450 to flybarless means a new head and a flybarless unit. Whether that's worth it is covered in flybarless vs flybar helicopters.
Part numbers decoded
Align part numbers start with a short letter code followed by four or five digits, and sometimes a suffix letter: for example H60166, HS1144, HN7043AT or HEC10001T. You'll see H, HS, HN, HF and HEC prefixes across the range.
The safest way to find the right part is to look up your exact model and version in its manual's parts list, then search for that number. Many parts changed between versions of the same size (a 450 SE part won't always fit a 450 Pro), so the number matters more than the description.
Clones
The T-REX 450's success brought a wave of copies, most famously the HK-450, along with the Copter X and others. Many parts interchange with a genuine 450, but tolerances and materials vary. A clone was a cheap way into the hobby; mixing parts can make a helicopter harder to set up.
Keeping an older T-REX flying
- After every crash: check main and feathering shafts for bends, blade grips, ball links, the tail belt or torque tube, and the servo gears. After a crash: checks and repairs has the full list.
- Regular checks: tail belt tension, one-way bearing, main gear mesh and every screw on the head.
- Setup: blade tracking and swashplate level make a huge difference to an older T-REX. See blade tracking and balancing and swashplate levelling.
- Electronics: current Align combos ship with the BeastX Microbeast PLUS flybarless unit; Align's own GPro and 3GX units are no longer sold. See gyros and flybarless units.
Should you buy an Align today?
Align remains a sound choice for a second or third helicopter, especially at 470 and 500 size, with UK dealer support. For a first collective pitch helicopter, a stabilised model is easier to learn on. Compare the alternatives from Goosky, OMPHobby and Blade, or read the RC helicopter buyer's guide.
RC Mods is not affiliated with or endorsed by Align.
Frequently asked questions
Are old T-REX 450 parts still available?
Many are, either from Align, from compatible makers or second-hand. Wear parts such as blades, tail belts, gears, shafts and bearings are the easiest to find.
Is a T-REX 450 a good first collective pitch helicopter?
It was the standard choice for years. Today a stabilised flybarless model such as a Blade Revolution 235 CP or Goosky S1 is easier to learn on, and a 450 makes a good second helicopter.
What size T-REX should I buy?
For most people, a 470 or 500 class is the best balance of stability, cost and portability. Bigger helicopters fly more smoothly but cost much more to crash.
Do clone parts fit a genuine T-REX?
Often, but quality and fit vary. For wear-critical parts such as bearings, shafts and tail parts, genuine or well-known brands are the safer choice.