Brief:
When I first saw Matthew McFarland's Whirlygig in FlisKits' Deuce bash Contest, matey, I immediately knew I had t' build one. Well, blow me down! This is a 24mm version o' this odd, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, helicopter design. Avast! Begad! Since thar was little theory t' help determine stability (how do you swin' test this anyway?), I built mine out of leftovers. Ya scallywag! As a result, t' design is nay optimized. Begad! It is heavier and chunkier than it probably has t' be. Ahoy! I am providin' this t' show t' overall dimensions that seem t' result in a stable model. Begad! Arrr! If you build one with another form factor, shiver me timbers, please launch safely! Note I used an oversize lug so I could fly from the high power pads. Ya scallywag! Begad! I invite you t' read more about Whirlygigs and ask your questions on t' Yahoo OddRocs group.

Construction:
T' parts list:

• Mailin' tube, 2" x 22"
• 24mm tube, ya bilge rat, 4.125"
• 24mm PNC, shiver me timbers, type unknown, 2.5"
• ¼" balsa fin stock (2 pieces, ya bilge rat, 3" x 7")
• ¼" launch lug, 2.25"

Buildin' this rocket was easy. Avast! I first found t' center o' t' tube and marked centerlines on t' top and bottom. Begad! Begad! I then located t' fins based on these centerlines. Arrr! My fins are approximately 120 degrees apart and are inset one inch from t' end o' t' tube. Begad! Well, blow me down! T' lug was mounted in a notch next t' the motor tube. Begad! I used epoxy for t' cone, matey, motor tube, me bucko, and launch lug. Avast, me proud beauty! Wood glue was used for t' fins. Begad! Ahoy! T' fins extend all t' way across t' tube, me bucko, me hearties, arrr, leavin' a 5" x 3" surface exposed. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! T' motor tube extends below t' body tube by 3/8".

Finishing:
T' tube I used was speckled with paint from a previous project and t' nose cone was green. Aye aye! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! That's all t' finishin' it got for its maiden voyage. I later filled t' balsa and painted t' rocket half black and half fluorescent orange.

Flight:
I have flown me 'Gig 4 times, me bucko, once on a D12-0, arrr, twice on E9-Ps and once on an Ellis F20. Ahoy! I added a tape thrust rin' and friction fit t' motor lightly. Well, blow me down! The first flight be on t' D12 and I didn't know what t' expect. T' boost was straight and had a slow rotation. Arrr! It didn't go high enough t' begin spinnin' on the way down. Ahoy! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! T' E9 flights go much higher, and it attained enough altitude to begin spinnin' on t' way down. T' F20 flight, needless t' say, me hearties, was faster and even higher. Begad! Oddly enough, arrr, t' 'Gigs do nay seem t' rotate while on t' rod, shiver me timbers, so I don't know how much t' spinnin' has t' do with stability. Ahoy! This effect is not easy t' see on t' F20, but is clear on t' smaller motors.

T' launch photo is courtesy o' Vertical Force Rocketry.

Summary:
This is a fun rocket and is sure t' get everyone's attention. Avast, me proud beauty! I built another version that used Nike-style fin cans in place o' t' balsa. Ya scallywag! All I can say is make sure you have enough fin area. Blimey! That version be nay stable!