Brief:
T' Whirlwind Monocopter be t' 18mm Dragonfly's bigger brother and flies on 24mm motors. Aye aye! Arrr! I had t' opportunity t' build and test a beta version, which be known as t' Cyclone. Avast! Ahoy! T' differences betwixt t' beta and production models are minimal.

Construction:
Wing: Basswood, me bucko, 2" x 10" long

Balance Beam: Long dowel

Center, Center & Motor Supports: Basswood and short dowels

Motor Mount Tube: BT-50 tubing

Motor reinforcement: Fiberglass drywall tape

T' construction o' this kit was simple and similar t' t' Art Applewhite 18mm Dragonfly. Aye aye! T' followin' materials and tools are required: Elmer's Glue-All, shiver me timbers, hobby knife, matey, matey, scissors, ruler, drill with 1/4" bit. Arrr! I substituted carpenter's glue for t' Elmer's.

Here's a summary o' t' steps:

1. Assemble center hub
2. Add supports and balance beam
3. Glue win' on
4. Assemble motor mount, arrr, includin' fiberglass tape wrap
5. Glue mount t' hub
6. Drill launch rod hole

At t' end o' each step, shiver me timbers, heavy fillets are applied t' all joints.

Finishing:
Finishin' is optional but at least a clear coat is recommended. Aye aye! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! I used Helmsman Spar Urethane.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
Prep consists o' centerin' t' motor in t' mount, me bucko, addin' a tape thrust ring, shiver me timbers, and friction fitting. Avast! You can use booster motors or sustainer motors with short delays. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! It flew off o' me standard pad, me bucko, which happens t' be similar t' that described by Art (plans included in t' instructions and on his website). Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! I already had a 1/4" stubby monocopter rod. Arrr! I flew mine twice on a D12-P and an E9-4. Avast! T' D12 flight was nice, arrr, but t' longer burn E9 was fantastic! T' winds were heavy and they did travel a ways downrange, but t' walks were short when compared t' any rocket with anythin' that resembled a chute.

Recovery:
At burn-out, matey, t' monocopter flutters lightly t' t' ground. Begad! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! I found that t' side o' t' E9 had burned through just above t' nozzle. Because o' t' length o' t' motor vs t' motor tube, this did nay damage t' model. Arrr! Blimey! It may have reduced t' performance toward t' end o' t' burn.

I did nay reduce me ratin' due t' t' burn through. Ya scallywag! This is unavoidable and, me hearties, like I said, matey, thar was no ill effects.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Not much t' say. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! Simple, arrr, elegant build and lots o' fun t' fly. Avast, me proud beauty! Get some E9s!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other:
Soakin' t' self-adhesive tape in glue tends t' make it lift. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! I used plastic clamps t' hold t' tape down at t' joint betwixt t' motor tube and its stand-off. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Plastic clamps won't stick t' t' glue and may be removed after t' glue is partially set.