Helicopter (oz15996)

About this Plan

Helicopter. Free flight helicopter model for rubber power.

Quote: "Try a helicopter, by Roy L Clough Jr. Unlike the whirling dervish type of stick model which churns madly into the sky like a flailing egg-beater, this little helicopter looks and flies like the real thing. It will float up sedately from any table-top 'airport' and then, when the power is spent, settle down lightly in true helicopter fashion. Adjust the trim slightly and it will rise into the air, tuck its nose down and scoot away in realistic forward flight.

One of the remarkable features of the model is the precision with which it can be flown. By counting the turns, it is possible to fly the ship from one table-top to another with the wheels touching down within an inch of the same spot each time.

In calm indoor air, the model always goes the same distance and attains the same altitude for any given number of turns. This makes it possible to perform a large number of seemingly impossible maneuvers. For example, it will fly up and leap over a yardstick supported on a couple of chairs - and not miss it by more than an inch or two - and the trick can be repeated as often as desired. It will fly between doorways or other obstructions with great precision.

To those who are accustomed to the more or less variable performance of fixed-wing craft, the complete consistency of the flight pattern exhibited by this helicopter is very surprising. It will even fly inverted! Simply wind the rotor backwards and hand-launch upside down. The model will sail away on even keel, wheels in the air, with complete stability. The landing may be a bit rough on the rotors, but it certainly demonstrates the point.

Fuselage: Construction follows the familiar rubber-model pattern with a few differences. Use a good grade of medium-hard 1/16 strip stock. One side is built right over the plan all the way back, the other is built back only as far as the draw-in, then the ends of the strips are beveled and joined to the other side for the tail boom. Put in the sheet balsa reinforcements on the underside. Cover the window areas with cellophane..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article.

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction