Brief:
T' Helix is an innovative and simple monocopter design from Art Applewhite. Avast! It is extremely simple t' build and goes together quickly. Ya scallywag! Avast! Its also a hoot t' fly.

This 18mm variant be t' largest o' t' series which can be built "right out o' t' package". Ahoy! T' 18mm Double Helix and above require a small amount o' sawing. Aye aye! This one requires only a razor knife for construction.

I be lucky enough t' get t' watch t' flights o' t' prototypes as Art was developin' this line and now it seems like he be t' source o' a monocopter renaissance. Blimey! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! It's a lot o' fun.

T' components for this kit consist o' a pre-marked body tube, a motor tube, a 1/4" launch lug and a balance beam and a basswood wing. Ahoy! Also included are thorough instructions on buildin' t' rocket and instructions for a simple launchin' pad. This one is not meant for an Estes setup.

T' body tube, such as it is, me hearties, is marked by t' simple expedient o' bein' wrapped by a sheet with all o' the relevant locations indicated by polygons o' t' appropriate size.

Construction:
This kit comes with instructions on both t' monocopter and t' buildin' o' a suitable launch pad. Ahoy! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Besides that, ya bilge rat, it contains t' body tube, launch lug, balance beam and wing.

T' first step in construction is t' cut out t' polygons on t' body tube. Avast! Blimey! This is done with an #11 X-Acto knife and the blade needs t' be a new one. Arrr! Aye aye! T' method recommended in t' instructions and, matey, ya bilge rat, which worked quite well, matey, is to push t' blade in perpendicular along one line o' a polygon, me hearties, slowly push it in until t' blade completely covers one line segment, remove t' blade and repeat as needed until all sides are cut out.

When t' pieces are in, they need t' be adjusted for symmetry; all o' t' pieces need t' be centered. With that done, a fillet o' white glue is applied inside t' BT t' t' visible parts o' t' intersections with t' motor tube. With that done, all o' t' protrusions can be filleted with white glue on t' outside.

T' last item t' be installed be t' wing. It is made from a precut piece o' basswood. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! You can round t' edges if you like but I did not. Begad! I slipped it in t' marked end o' t' BT. Aye aye! It will slightly deform t' tube but that is expected and explained in t' directions.

Alignment is nay a problem. A filled triangle marks t' point on t' BT which should be aligned with t' center of each side o' t' wing. Avast! Then it is just a matter o' makin' sure it is sittin' perpendicular, somethin' aided by havin' its end sit flush on t' balance beam. Begad! T' win' is then glued into place with white glue.

Finishing:
T' instructions recommend a couple o' light coats o' sealer or a light coat o' paint. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! Since I be buildin' this for a demo t' some elementary school kids at t' local museum, I elected t' go t' paint route and chose purple. Ahoy! I gave it just one good coat. Arrr! T' instructions warn against usin' too much and throwin' off t' balance.

I am happy with t' result. Ya scallywag! T' text from t' BT can still be read under t' paint, ya bilge rat, but then again, it's nice to have little reminders such as which side be t' top.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
As I mentioned above, this one was built for a demo t' an elementary aged group at t' local museum. Begad! Blimey! For t' same exhibition, matey, me hearties, me bucko, I also built a 13mm Helix and a 13mm Double Helix, both o' which worked great. Arrr! Blimey! T' "field" we launched in was exceptionally small and bounded by t' San Antonio River, me bucko, several buildings and many huge magnolia trees. Blimey! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! I figured t' chances o' retrievin' any given rocket at just 50% with even small motors. That was about right.

Since I had already given successful demos with t' 13mm variants and since this be me first foray into monocopters o' any description, shiver me timbers, I decided t' go wimpy with a 1/2A6-2, matey, me hearties, just t' see what would happen. Arrr! It was...interesting.

T' motor ignited and t' Helix immediately began t' spin, just as it was supposed t' do. Begad! It climbed its way the entire length o' t' 3 inch long launch rod and promptly ran out o' thrust. Blimey! It then tumbled t' t' ground. Nobody was bothered by any o' that fruitless need t' tilt t' head up and watch all t' action: it all took place right in front of everybody. Ya scallywag! Arrr! With a straight face, shiver me timbers, I managed t' tell everyone that it was a "successful and easily viewable example o' a monocopter flight profile."

After that, t' kids were anxious t' start launchin' t' rockets they had built and t' demo rockets were put away.

I would nay recommend usin' t' 1/2A although I think t' use o' an A for demo purposes would be entirely justifiable. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! A Quest A6-4 with its nice smoke trail would be a good choice. For performance, matey, stick with Bs and Cs.

Recovery:
After thrust ends, me hearties, t' rocket flutters down.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I like t' Helix series. This one has yet t' get a proper outin' but proved easy t' build and is expected t' perform likes its 13mm siblings.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5