Description
Tornado kits are currently subject to a 2 week backlog due to high order volume. Orders are shipped in the order they are received, no exeptions.
Tornado is a high performance helicopter which complies with the Science Olympiad Helicopter Division B and C rules for the 2025 season. It builds to a rotor diameter of up to 13.5 inches and is light enough to use a small amount of ballast for tuning while still easily staying right at the 4.0g minimum weight. Includes parts for 2 complete helicopters, Tan Supersport rubber, and a set of rotor pitch gages. In a typical living room this model can fly for 90-100 seconds. Our 2024/5 check-in box meets the specs for the rules.
Tornado 2025 Build Manual V1.0 (First Version)
Tornado 2025 Build Manual V2.0 (shortened spars)
Tornado 2025 Build Manual V2B (red plastic propeller assemblies)
Tornado 2025 Build Manual V3.0 (fixed top mast, no vane, and dihedral rotor tips)
For instructions for the previous 2021 Tornado kit, please go to its page.
Tools/materials required: rubber lubricant, winder, CA glue (or Duco/Ambroid/Sigment), 3M-77 spray adhesive, vaseline, razor blades, sandpaper, ruler, scissors. Don’t forget a Check in Box!
Optional: Torque meter, turns counter (volareproducts.com), scale, forceps.
Recommended replacement rubber is 1/8″ rubber strip.
Basic flying notes: Don’t expect much of a climb until you’ve hit 300-400 turns. Full power is around 800-1000 turns typically. Make sure the rubber is well lubricated with silicone oil and that you are stretching the rubber 4-5 times relaxed length, winding in half of the turns before working your way in.
Tornado V3.0 winglet installation: install at 30-45 degree dihedral angle, swept back. Test for proper fit in box. These can be made from scratch from 1/32″ balsa. Usually the vane can be removed after this modification, but remove in a way that it can be replaced should the model prove unstable. This overall mod adds 10-15 seconds and drastically improves stability if done correctly, allowing maximum torque launches.
J&H Aerospace is not affiliated with Science Olympiad; this product listing does not constitute an endorsement by S.O.
