Thanks for joining up myndset. You will find the mSR-X is the best helicopter to learn on hands down. It's just stupid hands off stable (this is a good thing lol). This way you can learn orientation and control before you grab ahold of the ccpm heli like the 450. The 120 is also a great helicopter, just larger and not as stable as the mSR but still quite stable.
If you don't have a flight sim, get one. It will be the best investment you can make in this hobby hands down. Stay away from FMS. Bottom end get Clearview (
ClearView RC Flight Simulator - Home). It's a great budget sim and I used it for a couple years. From there you can either go with Phoenix or RealFlight. I had RealFlight and it was an amazing sim. I decided on it over Phoenix because of the graphics, but I have the computer to run it. Some don't. However Phoenix is still a great sim and it has a LOT of the heli's that we use here on this site.
As for the 450, I hope it either shows up undamaged or you get a replacement. Depending on who you purchased it from, they should make it right. I know they will want to keep their name clean and usually send it out as soon as they file the claim. Just sucks that you have to wait longer. I have done a lot of videos on building these helicopters (not sure what one you purchased) and I'm sure somewhere in there it will show you exactly how to put it together and set it up. Just be ready for it, they are unstable by nature. Any and all help you need we are here to get you through it. All you have to do is post up in the correct section and we will be right there.
And thanks for the kind words on the site. It's been a year and a half in the making and worth every sleepless hour!