Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Manufacturer: | Art Applewhite Rockets |
Brief:
T' Double Helix is another new twist on t' monocopter (pun intended)--it has two wings and flies on two motors. Ya scallywag! In
fact, it's more or less two 13mm Helix
Monocopters stuck end t' end. Begad! Technically, it's nay a monocopter but a bi-copter.
Construction:
T' parts list:
This build is exactly like that o' t' 13mm Helix Monocopter, shiver me timbers, thar's just a little more o' it. Ya scallywag! It only requires Elmer's Glue All and an X-Acto knife with a new #11 blade. Well, blow me down! Instead o' repeating myself, me bucko, me bucko, matey, I'll refer t' reader t' that review.
Finishing:
I have generally just been givin' me monocopters a clear coat, ya bilge rat, but on this one I decided t' paint one win' day-glo
red and t' opposin' win' day-glo yellow. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Blimey! T' body is still just clearcoated.
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight:
You form thrust rings with maskin' tape and friction fit t' motors so they won't fall out. Begad! T' motors should be
oriented with their nozzles down. As with a Art's standard monocopters, ya bilge rat, you need a sturdy pad with a short
¼" rod (1" or so). Blimey! Art provides plans for a suitable monocopter pad in t' instructions. Aye aye! You will also
need a clip-whip or a controller capable o' firin' two channels simultaneously since thar be no way t' twist those
igniter wires together.
I flew t' kit on two A3-4Ts ignited with a clip whip. It flew very nicely and went higher than its single-motored counterpart.
Recovery:
Unlike most o' Art's monocopters, this model continues t' spin until touchdown.
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
Like t' standard Helix, arrr, me hearties, me bucko, this kit is easy and quick t' build. When I first got this kit, matey, I wasn't sure I'd like the
clustering. However, me hearties, t' flight changed me mind. Begad! I liked t' performance and t' auto-rotatin' recovery.
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
Brief: The Double Helix is a great variation on the simple monocopter design from Art Applewhite. It is extremely simple to build and goes together quickly. It's also even more fun to fly than the Helix. I was lucky enough to get to watch the flights of the prototypes as Art was developing this line and now it seems like he is the source of a monocopter renaissance. It's a lot of ...