Do you really prep for flight by routing the rubber bands inside the hinge? That's a pinch point. I'd keep the bands out of the hinge mechanism. Putting the bands inside the hinge "ears" could lead to a no-deploy. I'd route the bands around the outside of the hinge "ears," not like what is shown in the diagram.

Looks like the bands go across a solid piece that holds the rotors at the correct deployment angle. If that's the case, they shouldn't get pinched.

I just went back and looked at the parts layout. I don't see anything like that, so I see your point.

If you follow the directions and put the rubber bands where they are supposed to go you won't have a problem since there is nothing to pinch the rubber bands.



John Boren

Definitely not a FAI compatible kit, for S9A the outer diameter of the rocket must be at least 40mm in diameter and 500mm long. Most FAI heli-rocs that I have seen are internal rotor designs with a sharp boattail on the tail end. As the Estes website says, it is legal for NAR competition.

This will be a neat rocket. I really like giving the "mini-Brutes" some love!!!

This is absolutely on my "must buy" list. I am finding that I really appreciate rockets that don't need wadding or chute packing. Shove in an engine and launch!

That hub design looks extremely clean, I look forward to fiddling with it.

FAI requires the duration model body tube to be at least 40mm OD, which is why nearly all FAI S9 Copters use internal blades.

The most popular and pretty much definitive classic deployable external rotor copter is the Rotaroc series dating back to August 1975.



The basic design has been copied and cloned by many.



PDF file of plans: http://georgesrockets.com/GRP/CONTE...n/Rotaroc_A.pdf

Web page instructions on how to build a limited “kit” I made up for club members one year:

http://georgesrockets.com/GRP/CONTE.../Rotaroc-A.html








That said, I’m really glad to see this kit, and will get a couple to check out.

Here’s a video of some model testing last June. Second flight is a D Rotaroc rigged not to rotate much so as not to risk losing it
(was a boost structural test and deployment test flight).
Third flight was an E9 powered test of a G Rotaroc (3 x 36” blades, BT-55), which was flown at NARAM on G12 power (and won Team Div).

https://youtu.be/Bf3yjJKRBb8

John, George,

Am I correct in thinking that this is the first balsa-blade helicopter that Estes has ever offered?

There was the plastic bladed SkyWinder and the numerous helicopter nose-cone kits, but I don't recall any balsa blade designs. Gyroc had balsa wings but was a pseudo-helicopter.


Steve

We had to use outsized fins to make ours fly right back in the day.

http://v-serv.com/usr/kits/helioroc.htm

I like gliders too, but ones not power limited. :D

http://v-serv.com/usr/kits/fdart.htm

Just Jerry

Looking forward to buying dozens of Patriots.

I believe this is the first Estes kit with Balsa blades but I'm not positive.



John Boren