October Competition (Helicopter)

Started by Graham Lee, September 29, 2017, 06:22:49 PM

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Graham Lee

This is October's model of the month competition, the helicopter.

I have made a posted a few variations on the theme here on balloon chat,
helicopter-t8176.html

I got inspired from a helicopter that Tanya made at the Airdrie Levett & Lee day.
The picture is below.
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Graham Lee

#1
The design is for anyone to try and please use in the real world.
Would be great to see how you get on with it.

The complimentary bag of balloons to make the design will go out with all orders next month.
Those posting a picture of their helicopter will then go into the draw to win a balloon modelling DVD and book.
Closing date is 7th Nov so that those who buy late on in the month can still enter.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Graham Lee

#2
Inflate the 260 balloon and leave approx. 7 fingers un-inflated.
You then need to make two 1.5 finger bubbles and pinch twist these for the back tail fin.

Make a 4 finger bubble and then two more 1.5 finger bubbles.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
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Graham Lee

#3
These are pinch twisted for the back of the body of the helicopter.

Make a 7 finger bubble followed by a 1.5 finger pinch twist, this will be the bottom of the cockpit.
Then make a 5 finger bubble and then two more 1.5 finger bubbles.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
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https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
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Graham Lee

#4
These two bubbles are now pinch twisted, the rotor blades will sit here later.

Make another 5 finger bubble and twist into the single cockpit pinch twist.
I then have a 3 finger bubble and stretch this up to the two pinch twists,
this makes the 5 finger bubbles more rounded for when the cockpit is fitted.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Graham Lee

#5
You then need a 7 finger bubble that is twisted into the pinch twists at the back of the body.
Discard the rest of the balloon.

Inflate the 160 spring green and leave approx. 5 fingers un-inflated.

Make a 3 finger bubble followed by a 1 finger pinch twist.

Then make a 4 finger bubble and a 4,5 finger bubble and twist back into the pinch twist.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Graham Lee

#6
You then need between a 5/6 finger bubble and a 1 finger spacer bubble.
Twist this into the two pinch twists where the rotor blades will fit later.

Then make another 1 finger spacer bubble and twist around the first spacer bubble.
This moves the 160 balloon slightly away form the 260 so they sit parallel together.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Graham Lee

#7
You then need another 5/6 finger bubble followed by a 1 finger pinch twist.

Then make a 4 finger bubble and a 4.5 finger bubble and twist back into the pinch twist.

You now need to make a 3 finger bubble and twist this into the first pinch twist
you made on the 160 balloon. This 3 finger bubble will sit underneath the lower
260 balloons that the landing gear is in the correct position.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Graham Lee

#8
Now you can take another 3 finger bubble back over to the second pinch twist
but I find that makes it too bulky so I like to push the air out of the
160 balloon before I twist this into the second pinch twist.
The un-inflated part of the balloon is underneath the 3 finger bubble that runs across the 260 balloon.

You then need the last 3 finger bubble for the back section of the second landing leg.
Deflate and discard any of the 160 you have left.

Hopefully your helicopter is looking a little like picture 20?

Inflate the 6" quick link and tie a knot in both ends so the link when twisted has a place to catch on.
(I used the Qualatex green pump and inflated the quick link with 3 strokes of the pump)
"Lets Improve Our Art"
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https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Graham Lee

#9
Tie the link into the two pinch twists.
Then tie the knot of the balloon around the single pinch twist at the bottom.

Make sure this is really tight, I also then like to take the knot of the balloon back up to
the two pinch twists as this helps to keep the three 260 bubbles more circular in shape.

You can just see the knot under the two pinch twists in picture 24.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Graham Lee

#10
Inflate the black 160 and leave 4 fingers un-inflated.

Make a 2 finger bubble followed by a 1 finger pinch twist.
The rotor blades I make 12 fingers in length.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Graham Lee

#11
Make two more 12 finger fold twists for the rotor blades.

The remainder of the 160 I use for the tail fin part of the rotor.
This is a 6 finger bubble, as there is a knot at one end I also add the second knot for symmetry.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Graham Lee

#12
Attach the rotor blades into the two pinch twists.

Split the 6 finger bubble in half and attach into the back two pinch twists.
I have one pinch twist vertical and the other horizontal.

And fingers crossed your helicopter will look a little like this?
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Jana

#13
Complete with action movie explosion on the screen behind

alexireland

#14
Here's my go!

Just made it in for October! Thanks for the order graham!