Bell/Hiller head for the Axe CP using parts from the Blade CP Pro

Here's a list of what I ordered:

Blade CPP parts:

(1) Bell mixer main blade grip set (EFLH1171)

(1) Bell mixer arm and pushrod set (EFLH1172)

(2) Pitch control link set (EFLH1151)

Axe CP parts:

(2) Axe CP linkage set (HMXE7627)

misc parts:

Esky EK4-0002 carbon fiber blades

[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXG842&P=7]Fourmost Precision Solder Washers[/link] (used as shims to reduce endplay)



The install is a bolt-on procedure except for one little spot. The flybar links. The Blade's grips are wider so they may rub the links. This fix was easy though. I heated the links with a hairdryer and stretched them out. They only had to be tweeked 1 or 2mm to clear.

Next up the link-balls are different sizes. The Axe's are 3.75mm and the Blades are 3.5mm. To remedy this issue I made hybrid links which have an Axe link on one side and a blade link on the other (see pic). I also trimmed the Axe the lower set of links (the links that go from grip to swashplate) down a bit so their dimensions were closer to the fixed links that come with the Blade parts. This may or may not be necessary, but it’s something to be aware of.

Now the installation of the grips. I removed the Axe grips leaving the large hub washers in place. Then I popped out the bearings and installed them in the Blade’s grips. BTW at this point don’t forget to install the brass spacer that comes with the Blade’s grips.

OK now the order of the install on the feathering spindle from the center hub out:

1st stepped washer>the blade grip<2nd stepped washer<a 3mm i.d. Fourmost shim<the Axe’s spindle screw and washer. That’s it!

I went with new blades as well. E-sky EK4-0002 from Heli-Direct, but you can use the stock blades too all you need is some spacers for the wider gap in the Blade’s grips. Extra Axe hub washers (part#HMXE9900) work pretty well.

There is one other thing. It's not a problem, but something to be aware of. The new grips are designed for 3 bearings per side. However you can only use two bearings per side because the Axe's hub is wider than the Blade’s as can be seen in the pics. The reason I bring it up is the bearings come pre-installed in the aluminum grips so I'm not sure if they would work.



The first pic is of a Blade CPP rotorhead, note how much narrower the hub is.
The second pic is of the finished conversion on my Axe. Notice the links connecting the grip to the hub and swashplate.