The only reason I think its to dampen is because of the extreme torque and headspeed the bigger helis produce. On my MX Ill be running an Align 3550KV motor. Even with an 11 tooth pinion its gonna be getting about 2700 rpm. With that kind of headspeed I would think it would be twitchy if it wasnt dampened. But like I said. Im only guessing at why the paddles are under the blades. This is only a hypothesis. The real reason could be totally different lol Im just tossin ideas for conversation.