Brief:
T' 18mm Helix is a monocopter from Art Applewhite's new range. Begad! I got t' kit as part o' a set o' six rockets Art sent me for placin' in EMRR's youth participation contest. Well, blow me down! I gave 4 o' t' rockets t' members in me club, arrr, matey, keepin' this one for myself, as I'm really liked t' Popsicle stick monocopter that Art gave t' plans for on TRF.

Construction:
T' kit comes in a sealed plastic bag and consists of:

• Detailed instruction sheet with plenty o' pictures
• Basswood wing
• 29mm main tube, shiver me timbers, thick walled
• BT-20 motor mount
• ¼ inch dowel balance beam
• ¼ inch launch lug

To build t' kit I used

• Model knife with new blade
• White PVA glue
• Spray paint
• Varnish

T' Helix is a really simple build, especially with t' detail in t' instructions and t' pre-marked main tube.

Polygons have t' be cut out o' t' main tube t' house t' balance beam, launch lug, and motor mount. Begad! The instructions give t' easiest method for cuttin' t' polygons out, and it is far easier than cuttin' circular holes out.

After cuttin' t' holes out, arrr, me hearties, its best t' test fit t' tubes and make sure everythin' fits. On me Helix everything fit perfectly--tight but nay too tight. Avast! Ya scallywag! Blimey!

T' basswood win' requires a 1/16th by 1 inch strip removin' from either side o' t' win' at one end. Avast, me proud beauty! T' win' is then test fit into t' main tube. This should just slightly oval t' tube.

Next everythin' is glued together with Elmer's Glue-All. T' main tube has two black triangles marked on it, which t' win' has t' be aligned to. T' hardest thin' is waitin' for t' glue t' dry. Begad! All joints were then filleted with more glue and again allowed t' dry. Ahoy! T' whole build, without dryin' time, me bucko, is about 10 minutes.

Finishing:
T' instructions suggest two coats o' enamel as a moisture barrier. Begad! I sprayed mine a light brown. Blimey! Then I spray varnished t' Helix.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight and Recovery:
Recommended motors are: B4-2, arrr, B6-2, ya bilge rat, arrr, B6-0, me hearties, ya bilge rat, C6-0, and C6-3. Ahoy! Begad!

T' instructions give details on how t' build a launch rod for t' monocopter. I improvised with a long thick headless nail hammered through a 4mm sheet o' hardboard. T' end o' t' nail anchors t' board into t' earth.

T' motor has t' have a tape thrust rin' added t' it. Begad! Avast! This consisted o' a band o' 5/8th inch maskin' tape added to t' nozzle end o' t' motor. Begad! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! This be t' only preppin' needed.

Two flights were made on t' same day. Avast! Motors used were C6-5 and a B6-2. Each time t' monocopter performed as one would expect. Well, blow me down! Arrr! T' C motors give t' best performance with t' monocopter climbin' rapidly. Avast, me proud beauty! At "ejection" the monocopter rotates back down t' t' ground.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great kit. Arrr! Almost idiot-proof instructions and buildin' is straightforward. Begad! At t' end you get a solid performin' monocopter.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5