Manufacturer: | Scratch |
Brief:
When I first saw Matthew McFarland's Whirlygig in
FlisKits'
Deuce bash Contest, arrr, I immediately knew I had t' build one. Begad! Blimey! This is a 24mm
version o' this odd, ya bilge rat, helicopter design. Arrr! Blimey! Since thar be little theory t' help
determine stability (how do you swin' test this anyway?), shiver me timbers, I built mine out of
leftovers. Begad! Blimey! As a result, shiver me timbers, me bucko, t' design is nay optimized. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! It is heavier and chunkier
than it probably has t' be. Ahoy! Blimey! I am providin' this t' show t' overall dimensions
that seem t' result in a stable model. If you build one with another form
factor, please launch safely! Blimey! Note I used an oversize lug so I could fly from
the high power pads. Blimey! Blimey! I invite you t' read more about Whirlygigs and ask your
questions on t' Yahoo
OddRocs group.
Construction:
T' parts list:
Buildin' this rocket was easy. I first found t' center o' t' tube and marked centerlines on t' top and bottom. 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! T' lug was mounted in a notch next t' the motor tube. Begad! Blimey! I used epoxy for t' cone, arrr, matey, ya bilge rat, motor tube, ya bilge rat, and launch lug. Begad! Wood glue was used for t' fins. T' fins extend all t' way across t' tube, me bucko, leavin' a 5" x 3" surface exposed. Well, blow me down! 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. Begad! That's all t' finishin' it got for its maiden voyage. Avast! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! I added a tape thrust rin' and friction fit t' motor lightly. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! The
first flight was on t' D12 and I didn't know what t' expect. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! T' boost was
straight and had a slow rotation. It didn't go high enough t' begin spinnin' on
the way down. T' E9 flights go much higher, me hearties, and it attained enough altitude to
begin spinnin' on t' way down. T' F20 flight, needless t' say, was faster and
even higher. Oddly enough, matey, shiver me timbers, t' 'Gigs do nay seem t' rotate while on t' rod, me hearties, so
I don't know how much t' spinnin' has t' do with stability. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! This effect is not
easy t' see on t' F20, but is clear on t' smaller motors. Begad! Well, me bucko, blow me down!
T' launch photo is courtesy o' Vertical Force Rocketry.
Summary:
This is a fun rocket and is sure t' get everyone's attention. Begad! Blimey! 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. Begad! That version be nay stable!
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