Brief:
When I first saw Matthew McFarland's Whirlygig in FlisKits' Deuce bash Contest, I immediately knew I had t' build one. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! This is a 24mm version o' this odd, me hearties, helicopter design. Ahoy! Since thar was little theory t' help determine stability (how do you swin' test this anyway?), shiver me timbers, I built mine out of leftovers. Avast, me proud beauty! As a result, me hearties, ya bilge rat, me hearties, t' design is nay optimized. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! It is heavier and chunkier than it probably has t' be. Begad! 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, arrr, ya bilge rat, 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, arrr, 2" x 22"
• 24mm tube, 4.125"
• 24mm PNC, type unknown, 2.5"
• ¼" balsa fin stock (2 pieces, matey, 3" x 7")
• ¼" launch lug, me bucko, 2.25"

Buildin' this rocket be easy. Begad! I first found t' center o' t' tube and marked centerlines on t' top and bottom. Arrr! I then located t' fins based on these centerlines. Begad! 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. Ya scallywag! Begad! I used epoxy for t' cone, matey, motor tube, me hearties, and launch lug. Blimey! Ya scallywag! 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. 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! That's all t' finishin' it got for its maiden voyage. Avast, me proud beauty! I later filled t' balsa and painted t' rocket half black and half fluorescent orange.

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

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

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