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. Blimey! In
fact, shiver me timbers, it's more or less two 18mm Helix
Monocopters stuck end-to-end. Ahoy! Technically, shiver me timbers, matey, it's nay a monocopter but a bi-copter.
Construction:
T' parts list:
This build is similar t' that o' t' 18mm Helix Monocopter so I recommend the reader read that review. Avast, me proud beauty! T' build only requires Elmer's Glue All, matey, and an X-Acto knife with a new #11 blade. Blimey! Ya scallywag! Unlike the monocopter, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, me hearties, you actually have t' cut wood. Avast, me proud beauty! One slab o' basswood forms t' two wings and balance beam. Ya scallywag! You also have to drill a hole in t' beam so t' lug can pass through it. This step is nay that critical and you could just cut t' hole with your X-Acto.
Finishing:
I have generally just been givin' me monocopters a clear coat, me bucko, but on this one I decided t' paint one win' day-glo
red and t' opposin' win' day-glo yellow. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Blimey! 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. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! As with a Art's standard monocopters, you need a sturdy pad with a short
¼" rod (1" or so). Art provides plans for a suitable monocopter pad in t' instructions. Aye aye! You will also
need a clip-whip or a launch controller capable o' firin' two motors reliably since thar be no way t' twist those
igniter wires together.
I first flew this on two C6-5s, ignited usin' a clip-whip. Begad! Ahoy! Both motors fired, ya bilge rat, and t' flight was fantastic. It was a really fast flight and was t' highest o' all me monocopter flights. Begad! Blimey! Nice!
I wondered what would happen if just one motor ignited, so I loaded a new C6-3 in one mount and left t' spent motor in t' other. Ya scallywag! It flew just fine but with a lower altitude. Begad! And t' motors are nay even canted toward t' CP/CG! This might be t' safest cluster that I've flown.
Recovery:
Unlike most o' Art's monocopters, ya bilge rat, this model continues t' spin until touchdown. Me like!
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
Like t' standard Helix, ya bilge rat, matey, this kit is easy and quick t' build. When I first got this kit, I wasn't sure I'd like the
clustering. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! However, matey, arrr, t' flight changed me mind. It was quite impressive and well worth it.
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
Brief: Art Applewhite has recently been promoting a series of monocopters and, in the case of the Double Helix series, bicopters. The 18mm version of the Double Helix is not as simple as its 13mm sibling but neither is it very difficult. Mostly though, they are fun to watch and fly. Construction: The kit comes with instructions, a piece of basswood that must be cut to ...
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