AAA Model Aviation Fuels Quadra G

AAA Model Aviation Fuels - Quadra G {Kit}

Contributed by Moira Jean Whitlock

Diameter: 3.10 inches
Manufacturer: AAA Model Aviation Fuels
Rating
(Contributed - by Moira Jean Whitlock)

Rocket PicBrief:
This is a single staged rocket that can be flown on either 2 or 4 29mm motors. Begad!

Construction:
T' main body tube runs from t' top o' t' motor tubes t' t' nose cone. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! There is one body tube and four motor tubes that extend outward from t' main body. Begad! Ahoy! Blimey!

This rocket has a very clever fin alignment system. T' 4 fins are made from two wing-like pieces o' wood that interlock in t' middle t' form 4 perpendicular fins. Blimey! Blimey! Then t' 4 motor tubes fit over this structure and are epoxied in place. Ahoy! I used 12 minute epoxy.

T' instructions are pretty clear and simple. Ahoy! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! All t' parts were thar and were well made. T' fins weren't even rough. Aye aye! Blimey! But they did need a little beveling. Arrr! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I did this with a finishin' sander. Ahoy! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' wood appears t' be 1/8 inch thick birch. Blimey! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey!

About t' hardest thin' t' align be t' motor tubes inside t' main frame. They extend out 20 plus inches from t' main body tube. It seemed easy t' get them cock-eyed, so I sight aligned them while t' epoxy holdin' them dried. Aye aye! A centerin' rin' further reinforces their connection and placement inside the body tube. Arrr! Two beveled launch lugs are supplied that take as big as me 3/8 inch rod. Ahoy! Ya scallywag!

T' recovery system is another clever design. Begad! It is a coupler and bulkhead with holes in it like a baffle. Aye aye! A screweye anchors t' round nylon shock cord. T' chute was supplied, me bucko, and is a thin nylon, bright yellow 24 incher.

Finishing:
I spray painted it gold and decorated it with metallic prismatic paper. Blimey! Begad! There is a Quadra G decal lettering, so I applied t' letters. Ahoy! I only got t' word, "Quad" and nay "Quadra" but I figured that it was okay. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! I was goin' t' call t' flight "Clusterophobia" instead anyway. Begad! Arrr! The result is strikin' and unique. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' four extended motor tubes make it look unusual.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Rocket PicFlight:
T' company suggests usin' motors with low average thrust and long delays. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Blimey! So, my first flight was with 2 G35-7W's and 2 G40-7W's. Avast! Blimey! T' like motors were diagonally arranged. T' flight was straight and gorgeous. Arrr! Blimey! There seemed t' be deployment just slightly before apogee, so I surmised that t' delay was too short. T' nylon shock cord was stressed after this as well, me hearties, so I replaced it with 10 feet o' 1000 lb. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Keelhaul®©™® cording. Avast, me proud beauty! Then I flew it twice on 4 G40-10W's. Everyone LOVED this. Ya scallywag! Straight, high, and loud. Aye aye! It even made a club video memory. Begad! Ahoy! I did have t' walk a bit, ya bilge rat, but I think I caught a thermal.

Recovery:
Use 10 second delays with 4 motors. Begad! 7 is okay with 2, me hearties, probably. I did notice that with t' baffle, me bucko, me usual method o' spent motor removal with a rod is impossible. Ya scallywag! Pliers were needed. Begad! Ahoy! T' rocket is a little scratched, but able to fly more. Ahoy! T' chute is unburnt as well. Ya scallywag!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Clever design, nay too bad a price. I remember payin' around $45 for it. Begad! Ahoy! Great fun for us cluster-people. Nice and loud and fiery. I highly recommend it. Catchin' it on film with a long flame trail was really wonderful as well.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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