Model Rocket Building Blog 
Model Rocket Building Posts
Rocketry Product: Estes - Mini "A" Heli {Kit} (7272)
Estes Mini A Heli now Available! (2018-03-25)
The new Estes Mini "A" Heli is available on the Estes Website: CLICK HERE This picture shows a closeup of the rotor blades in the open position. They are activated with a burn string. [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Background (2018-04-30)Here's a new one from Estes. "IT'S HERE! GREAT for NAR Competition! Mini engine powered and competition ready helicopter recovery." I'm probably going to NARAM this August. I did compete back in ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 1, Parts (2018-05-01)All the parts - In the center are the hinge parts, laser cut from heavy card stock. On the lower right of the white card sheet are the blade dihedral forms. Parts of interest: 1/16" ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 2, Fins? (2018-05-01)Here's something I don't get - The wood grain on the supplied fins doesn't run down the leading edge. On the right is the picture on the first page of the instructions. I probably won't use them ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 3, Fin Substitution (2018-05-02)On the top is the kit supplied 3/32" thick fin, it should actually be flipped over. The leading edge is the diagonal. On the bottom is the shape I came up with for the 1/32" thick plywood fin. I've ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 4, Lighter Parts (2018-05-02)I was going to use the kit supplied plastic nose cone at first. The shoulder on this nose cone always seemed a little long so about 1/8" was cut off the bottom with a razor saw. The kit nose cone ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 5, Optimized and Lighter Parts (2018-05-03)The launch lugs are short at 3/8" long. They say if you cut the ends off at an angle that drag is reduced. Use a new, sharp knife, this is one of the rare times I'll use an X-Acto #11 instead of my ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 6, Tube Cutting (2018-05-03)The 18" BT-5 tube is cut at 12" and 4" long. The remaining 2" can be saved for another build. I'd never used the Estes Tube Cutting guides before. The fit was too tight and might crimp the tube. It ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 7, Tube Slotting (2018-05-04)The great thing about multiple instructions in different languages - You can cut out templates from the sheet you can't read! The gray areas are the ejection relief slots in the upper body tube. I ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 8, Hinge Arms (2018-05-05)The thick card stock hinges are definitely the way to go for a first time helicopter recovery build. No weird wire bending! The inside swing arms were lightly sanded on the flat sides for better ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 9, Hinges (2018-05-05)The two "D" center parts (with the rubber band hook) are glued together. This one started to separate, not down the glue joint but between the layers. The split was widened a little and glue spread ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 10, Hinges (2018-05-07)Here's how the sides match up, the double layer D parts are positioned on the outside single layer E piece. Another E piece will glue on the top of this. Use the dowel again to help line up the E ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 11, Helicopter Blades (2018-05-08)The helicopter blades are removed from the balsa sheet. The leading, trailing and outside edges are rounded. The notched end (near the X3 side) stays square. The instructions make no mention of air ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 12, Helicopter Blades (2018-05-09)The blades are cracked down the lines that were lightly cut in the last step. If the blades don't crack easily, cut the lines a little deeper. TIP: Before using the blade angle guides, wipe out the ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 13, Helicopter Blades (2018-05-10)Yellow glue was run down the open cut line and the excess removed and smoothed out with a Q-tip. Go a few inches at a time, don't allow the glue to set and skin over before smoothing it out. Here's ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 14, Vent Slots, Tubes and Fins (2018-05-11)Here's all three sides of the helicopter blades - top, back of the top and low end. The inside and outside of the vent slots got a wipe of medium CA to strengthen them, especially at the corners. ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 15, Nose Cone & Hinge Fit (2018-05-12)The replacement balsa nose cone had a better shoulder match than the plastic nose cone did. There is still a seam to fill. The picture on the right shows a wrap of masking tape beneath the seam. ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 16, Blade Marking (2018-05-12)This rocket won't be painted, I want it light and smooth as possible. Some coloration can be used. I've read where marker ink adds very little (if any) weight to boost gliders. Competition flyers ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 17, Hinge Dowels & Fin Trim (2018-05-13)Here's how the rubber bands fit into the notch at the top of the side plates. The short dowel hinge pines were dry fitted here. The instructions say to cut the dowel into three 1/4" pieces. After ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 18, Hold Down Thread (2018-05-14)The instructions show two small holes "drilled" on opposite sides of the body tube. GOTCHA: The burn string and helicopter blade deploy is not explained in the instructions or on the website. I ... [Read More]
Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Finished (2018-05-15)Well, this was different. TRIVIA: I believe this is one of the few designs Estes has suggested for NAR competition. The other two competition designs were the original Drifter (24" parachute?) and ... [Read More]
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