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

Construction:
T' parts list:

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

Buildin' this rocket be easy. Well, blow me down! I first found t' center o' t' tube and marked centerlines on t' top and bottom. Avast! I then located t' fins based on these centerlines. Begad! Avast! My fins are approximately 120 degrees apart and are inset one inch from t' end o' t' tube. T' lug was mounted in a notch next t' the motor tube. Ahoy! Avast! I used epoxy for t' cone, motor tube, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, and launch lug. Well, blow me down! Wood glue was used for t' fins. T' fins extend all t' way across t' tube, ya bilge rat, leavin' a 5" x 3" surface exposed. Avast! 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. Ya scallywag! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! That's all t' finishin' it got for its maiden voyage. Aye aye! I later filled t' balsa and painted t' rocket half black and half fluorescent orange.

Flight:
I have flown me 'Gig 4 times, once on a D12-0, twice on E9-Ps and once on an Ellis F20. I added a tape thrust rin' and friction fit t' motor lightly. Ya scallywag! Begad! The first flight be on t' D12 and I didn't know what t' expect. Blimey! T' boost was straight and had a slow rotation. Begad! It didn't go high enough t' begin spinnin' on the way down. T' E9 flights go much higher, and it attained enough altitude to begin spinnin' on t' way down. Aye aye! T' F20 flight, ya bilge rat, needless t' say, was faster and even higher. Ya scallywag! Oddly enough, me bucko, 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. Avast! This effect is not easy t' see on t' F20, me hearties, but is clear on t' smaller motors. Well, blow me down! Begad!

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

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