Brief:
When I first saw Matthew McFarland's Whirlygig in FlisKits' Deuce bash Contest, I immediately knew I had t' build one. Begad! Ya scallywag! This is a 24mm version o' this odd, ya bilge rat, helicopter design. 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. Avast, me proud beauty! It is heavier and chunkier than it probably has t' be. I am providin' this t' show t' overall dimensions that seem t' result in a stable model. Aye aye! If you build one with another form factor, ya bilge rat, please launch safely! Note I used an oversize lug so I could fly from the high power pads. Arrr! Begad! I invite you t' read more about Whirlygigs and ask your questions on t' Yahoo OddRocs group.

Construction:
T' parts list:

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

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

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

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

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

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