| Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
| Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
| Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
| Manufacturer: | Art Applewhite Rockets ![]() |

Brief:
T' Whirlwind Monocopter be t' 18mm Dragonfly's bigger brother and flies on 24mm motors. Blimey! I had t' opportunity t' build and test a beta version, which be known as t' Cyclone. Begad! T' differences betwixt t' beta and production models are minimal.
Construction:
Wing: Basswood, me hearties, me hearties, 2" x 10" long
Balance Beam: Long dowel
Center, Center & Motor Supports: Basswood and short dowels
Motor Mount Tube: BT-50 tubing
Motor reinforcement: Fiberglass drywall tape
T' construction o' this kit was simple and similar t' t' Art Applewhite 18mm Dragonfly. Avast, me proud beauty! T' followin' materials and tools are required: Elmer's Glue-All, ya bilge rat, hobby knife, matey, scissors, matey, ruler, drill with 1/4" bit. I substituted carpenter's glue for t' Elmer's.
Here's a summary o' t' steps:
At t' end o' each step, me hearties, shiver me timbers, heavy fillets are applied t' all joints.
Finishing:
Finishin' is optional but at least a clear coat is recommended. I used Helmsman Spar Urethane.
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
Prep consists o' centerin' t' motor in t' mount, addin' a tape thrust ring, and friction fitting. Aye aye! You can use booster motors or sustainer motors with short delays. Begad! Ahoy! Blimey! It flew off o' me standard pad, arrr, arrr, shiver me timbers, which happens t' be similar t' that described by Art (plans included in t' instructions and on his website). Well, blow me down! Ahoy! Blimey! I already had a 1/4" stubby monocopter rod. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! Blimey! I flew mine twice on a D12-P and an E9-4. T' D12 flight be nice, me hearties, but t' longer burn E9 be fantastic! Blimey! T' winds were heavy and they did travel a ways downrange, but t' walks were short when compared t' any rocket with anythin' that resembled a chute.

Recovery:
At burn-out, t' monocopter flutters lightly t' t' ground. Avast! Blimey! I found that t' side o' t' E9 had burned through just above t' nozzle. Blimey! Blimey! Because o' t' length o' t' motor vs t' motor tube, ya bilge rat, me bucko, this did nay damage t' model. Well, blow me down! Blimey! It may have reduced t' performance toward t' end o' t' burn.
I did nay reduce me ratin' due t' t' burn through. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! This is unavoidable and, like I said, thar be no ill effects.
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
Not much t' say. Ahoy! Simple, elegant build and lots o' fun t' fly. Well, blow me down! Get some E9s!
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
Other:
Soakin' t' self-adhesive tape in glue tends t' make it lift. Begad! I used plastic clamps t' hold t' tape down at t' joint betwixt t' motor tube and its stand-off. Begad! Plastic clamps won't stick t' t' glue and may be removed after t' glue is partially set.
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