Estes Mini Heli any good?

[Bartlebear]

I an really interested in the Estes Mini Heli but every Youtube video I can find the blades fail to deploy.

Has anyone flown this? Thoughts?

 

[neil_w]

I've only flown mine twice, but I like it a lot. Fun to build and fly. I modified mine for string-free deployment: https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/mini-a-heli-modification-no-burn-string.164184/. Two for two on perfect blade deployment so far.

 

[Bartlebear]

Great thread. Well done. What is the downside to using string as originally designed?

 

[neil_w]

Just the flight prep effort. I like zero-prep rockets, when possible.

 

[BABAR]

I don’t have the rocket, but “back in the days” when I used burn strings for Helis and Gliders, I used elastic thread. It burns easier and holds tighter.

 

[mikeyd]

I an really interested in the Estes Mini Heli but every Youtube video I can find the blades fail to deploy.

Has anyone flown this? Thoughts?

The video I watched, they did not properly install the rubber band, and route them up over the center of the hinge. So they don't deploy properly if you don't do that step.

 

[neil_w]

The video I watched, they did not properly install the rubber band, and route them up over the center of the hinge. So they don't deploy properly if you don't do that step.

It is incredibly easy to make that mistake if you're not paying attention.

 

[BEC]

It’s a relatively easy-to-build helicopter that works very well (as long as you’re paying attention — I’ve forgotten to get the little rubber band up over the hinge the way it’s supposed to on occasion).

I even a slightly modified one as my entry at NARAM-60. I didn’t win, but since, properly set up, it’s very reliable, I did better than many.

 

[pathtouch]

I love mine and so does the kiddo. We must have a dozen successful flights. I’ve even forgot elastics and had the blades spin out enough to prevent damage. I just use regular sewing thread for prep. Although 9 times out of 10 mine recovers nose first spinning with the fins up high?
Apogee gyro chaser is another awesome option but assembly is much more advanced.