Helicopter

I found this helicopter while browsing YouTube for Stirling Engines. Not only is it a beautiful helicopter but it is powered by a stirling engine. No, it doesn’t fly, but the rotors spin as though it’s ready for takeoff when you light up the alcohol lamp. After a month of design work and three months of construction, here is my completed helicopter.

Helicopter

Helicopter

Helicopter

Helicopter

Helicopter

Helicopter

To build your own version of the helicopter, download the printed Helicopter Plans. The plans were provided by Ed van den Berg of the Netherlands who gave me invaluable assistance during my build.

Next, create a CAD model from the plans. Although you can work directly from the printed plans, I find that drawing a CAD model helps me to visualize each part and how all the parts fit together. You’ll also need the CAD model if you intend to use CNC.

CAD Helicopter

CAD Helicopter

Now it’s time to acquire the raw materials you’ll need for the build. I used brass and aluminum and made the base from Corian.

Raw Materials

Raw Materials

I created over 8 hours of very detailed videos of the entire build and you can view them all by clicking here.

The real fun comes when you transform that big pile of metal into lots of small parts.

Completed Parts

Completed Parts

I lacquered all the parts and then assembled them into the working helicopter.

Helicopter

Helicopter

The best part of the project is when the build is complete and you get to see the working helicopter.

I hope you enjoyed this project. Good luck with your build!