Best First Helicopter Model?

[Giggles]

Ok, here's a new question:
In your opinion, what is the best helicopter-recovery rocket for a beginning intermediate modeler to build? I have a nice collection of probably 50 rockets, ranging from the tiny Estes Swift to the more detailed Orbital Transport. Most of them are waiting on paint. But I have never built a helicopter rocket. I have read that they are more challenging to build. Does anyone have experience and could recommend one for a first-time helicopter build? Or are these models so challenging that they are best left to the competitive professionals? I would appreciate your thoughts.

~

Giggles

[Gary Byrum]

For the longest time I wanted to make one of those and about 1.5 years ago (with a little online assistance) I found something right up my alley. This isn't the most complex build you'll ever do but it will require having to hinge and bend (so to speak) each copter blade. It's a basic rocket by design with 3 outer blades that fold down and are held in place between the fins. Rubber bands are used to bring the blades up when the motor fires ejection. The flame from the motor burns the sewing thread that binds the blades to the rocket thus releasing them. (hope that didn't get you confused) Here's a couple of pics. Got questions? Just ask.

[Giggles]

Is this a kit or did you scratch-build it yourself?

[Gary Byrum]

I scratched this one but it's based off of the 1st diagram in the link below. Difference is, I put a sewing pin in the top of the nose cone to secure the rubber bands and Tee pins in each blade at an angle for the other end of the rubber bands. The nose is glued on and does not separate. I tried to find the info that I got but I think most of it was verbal and I just went with it. I could probably do some close up shots and better view than what I posted. That was all that I had for pics.

http://rocketry.wordpress.com/copter-recovery-guide/

[[POW]Eagle159]

Estes have an Easy-2-Assemble one.

http://www.estesrockets.com/new/001263-sky-twister

I have one and it is a Ok rocket, the problem is that there is helicopter blades AND a chute in the rather small tube. Mine lawn darted the first time.

All I did is tale off the chute and have the body free fall, The Nose cone has the blades and flies very well.

[goose_in_co]

If you are interested in kits, there is one from Fliskits:
http://www.fliskits.com/products/01prod_fs.htm

And one from Apogee:
http://www.apogeerockets.com/heli_roc_kit.asp

And QCR sells several versions:
http://www.cybertravelog.com/qcr/helos.html

Mike

Ok, here's a new question:
In your opinion, what is the best helicopter-recovery rocket for a beginning intermediate modeler to build? I have a nice collection of probably 50 rockets, ranging from the tiny Estes Swift to the more detailed Orbital Transport. Most of them are waiting on paint. But I have never built a helicopter rocket. I have read that they are more challenging to build. Does anyone have experience and could recommend one for a first-time helicopter build? Or are these models so challenging that they are best left to the competitive professionals? I would appreciate your thoughts.

~

Giggles

[FastCargo]

Estes has (had) the Cosmic Cobra which is the same as the Sky Twister...ya, it's a tight fit to get all that in there...I had 2 scorched chutes on 2 seperate flights before I figured out a better way.

However, the Estes Helicat is the same thing, just longer, so you don't have to worry about trying to stuff all the recovery system into a smaller space.

FC

[Giggles]

If you are interested in kits, there is one from Fliskits:
http://www.fliskits.com/products/01prod_fs.htm

And one from Apogee:
http://www.apogeerockets.com/heli_roc_kit.asp

And QCR sells several versions:
http://www.cybertravelog.com/qcr/helos.html

Mike

Have you had any experience with these kits?
Since I am new to helicopter rockets, I would like to start with a kit, but preferably not one that is ready-built, since that takes all the fun out of it IMHO.

[JPVegh]

It's not that hard to build a helicopter from a plan. The NAR website has several plans to work from. If you've already built 50 rockets including an Orbital Transport then scratch building a heli shouldn't be a problem for you.

http://www.nar.org/competition/plans/helicopter.html

I'd go with a Rotaroc 13 for a first build. It's a bit simpler than other HD models but still has a nice slow descent rate.

Of course if you are more comfortable building a kit then some good sugestion have already been made.

If you can find an OOP Estes Skywinder for a reasonable price you'll get an easy to build and fun to fly heli rocket that preps fast. Folks generally either love it or hate it, I think it was one of Estes more brilliant rockets.

I'm currently scratch building an Estes Gyroc. Not a true helicopter but it does use helicopter recovery. It's cool to watch but it still falls pretty fast compared to a Rotaroc.

[jflis]

Have you had any experience with these kits?
Since I am new to helicopter rockets, I would like to start with a kit, but preferably not one that is ready-built, since that takes all the fun out of it IMHO.

The FlisKits Rose-A-Roc is a kit version of the original Art Rose Rose-A-Roc but with a simplified assembly. Don't get me wrong, this is NOT an easy to assemble model, but is much easier than trying to scratch build one from the plans found on the NAR web site

Several folks on TRF have built/flown this bird so I will let them pipe in with feedback on the kit version of this design.

We also have a micro version of a helicopter model (my own design) called the Tiddlywink that offers her own set of challenges

Hope this helps!
jim

[Micromeister]

It's not that hard to build a helicopter from a plan. The NAR website has several plans to work from. If you've already built 50 rockets including an Orbital Transport then scratch building a heli shouldn't be a problem for you.

http://www.nar.org/competition/plans/helicopter.html

I'd go with a Rotaroc 13 for a first build. It's a bit simpler than other HD models but still has a nice slow descent rate.

Of course if you are more comfortable building a kit then some good sugestion have already been made.

If you can find an OOP Estes Skywinder for a reasonable price you'll get an easy to build and fun to fly heli rocket that preps fast. Folks generally either love it or hate it, I think it was one of Estes more brilliant rockets.

I'm currently scratch building an Estes Gyroc. Not a true helicopter but it does use helicopter recovery. It's cool to watch but it still falls pretty fast compared to a Rotaroc.

I'll Happily 2nd Jeffs recommendation about going with a 13mm rotaroc from the Nar's plans section for your first HD model. I'm still flying the one I started with many years back...tho it's thermalled away a couple times..someone out looking for their models have always stumbled across it and bring it back A fine little first HD model.

Estes Gyroc as mentioned is not really a Helicopter but sort of autogyro recovery though I still believe it comes in Way to fast to be considered a safe recovery form.

[goose_in_co]

Have you had any experience with these kits?
Since I am new to helicopter rockets, I would like to start with a kit, but preferably not one that is ready-built, since that takes all the fun out of it IMHO.

All of them are builders kits, at least a skill level 3 or greater. The Fliskits and Apogee will have very good instructions, I don't know about QCR because I haven't built any of their kits.

You can't go wrong with Flis-Kits, and Jim is a regular on this forum and will help with any questions that you may have. (and will probably post on this thread also...)

[jflis]

All of them are builders kits, at least a skill level 3 or greater. The Fliskits and Apogee will have very good instructions, I don't know about QCR because I haven't built any of their kits.

You can't go wring with Flis-Kits, and Jim is a regular on this forum and will help with any questions that you may have. (and will probably post on this thread also...)

Heck, already did (see above!)

[mjennings]

Love my Rose-A-Roc! Wish I could fly her more but she likes to thermal a lot!

The longest walk I've ever made on a B!

[dpower]

I'm partial to the Gyroc that Jeff mentioned. It's an easy build, a fun flier, and a short walk. I still have my original, and fly it regularly. BMS sells a clone kit. http://www.balsamachining.com/

[BABAR]

QCR makes good helicopters, but their instructions (at least as of 2 years ago when I bought a couple of helicopters and gliders) are a bit flaky. Therefore I wouldn't recommend them for a first helicopter build. Given the name of their company, Qualified Competition Rockets, perhaps not unreasonable that they expect you are starting from a pretty good knowledge base. Components were top notch.