So I received an answer from Steffen Kettemer at Thomann about any differences between the Yamaha YRA-402 B and the YRA-48 B. He wrote, “…The two flutes differ only in design. The wind way and bore etc. are identical…”
Reading his email, I enlarged the two Thomann photographs and can now clearly see the slight differences in profile on the front-views.
Recorder makers often copy outside profiles of historic museum instruments they find attractive. Pure marketing. The important improvements are inside and nearly invisible. Copying the ‘looks’ is aimed at our wallets – not our hearing.
Remember how to get to Carnegie Hall, -k-