Description

Tornado V4 is a high performance helicopter which complies with the Science Olympiad Helicopter Division B and C rules for the 2025/2026 season. This model is greatly simplified, using self-jigging construction to reduce cost and improve reliability. It builds to a rotor diameter of up to 13.5 inches and builds very close to the 4.0g minimum weight (some even require a little ballast. 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 2025/6check-in box meets the specs for the rules.

Tornado 2026 Build Manual V1.0

For instructions for the previous 2024/5 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.