Blue, Black, Purple are the same

[Fotta]

I understand that there are some concerns about whether or not some are more recent than others, based on body shell color. Please note - they are all the same. There is no difference based solely on whether they are black, purple or blue.

The purple ones are *not* more recent.

[AirWing]

OK, so it must be the blue..

[AirWing]

I bought both an rc plane and chopper recently, think I'm more keen to try the plane. Heard it's more fun.

[savage]

So, they're all the same? Will I be having the same flaws on the purple one like the black one? sorry if I dont understand.

[Tres Wright]

The black versions are NOT the same as the blue and purple versions. This has been clearly demonstrated by owners of all versions over on the big Bladerunner thread on the "Indoor and Micro Models" forum. There are three versions of the BR as follows:

Earliest issue- black with ratcheted throttle and tail motor wire outside boom
Second issue- black with smooth throttle and tail motor wire outside boom
Third issue- blue/white (27 mhz) or purple/green (49 mhz) with tail motor wire inside boom. These are otherwise known as the "QVC versions" because they were initially available only through QVC.

The biggest difference is the battery cell used in the early black releases was inferior. Flight times range from 30 seconds to a few minutes, but after several cycles even the copters flying several minutes are down to seconds because the battery quickly degrades.

Now perhaps the updated (QVC) versions are being repackaged with the black bodies now as well. If so, they would be equivalent to the QVC version. But the earlier black versions are giving people fits because of the bad battery cell. That version is to be avoided.

[Caveman]

Here in Canada, Radio Shack sells black version with tail motor wire inside the boom.
The lipo battery has the markings of
353048D
RN20040716
59361

I am able to hover for about 4 minutes without modification.
Is this new or old battery?

Pin

[petter]

Caveman

You are right. The Black Bladerunners from Radio Shack Canada and some other places is technically the same helicopter as the QVC versions.

The confusion comes from the Black ones being upgraded several times and the latest version of it is the same as the Blue and Purple from QVC. This has been commented some time ago in other threads.

The quality will vary from sample to sample and makes it difficult to just compare two helicopters with different color.

Petter