Apogee Components Hydra

Apogee Components - Hydra {Kit}

Contributed by Moira Jean Whitlock

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 0.95 inches
Manufacturer: Apogee Components
Style: Cluster, Payload

[Rocket Pict]Brief:  This is a three finned egglofter designed for NARRRRR eggloftin' competitions.

Construction: Everythin' arrived undamaged and all t' parts were there. T' fins are precut balsa. Begad! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! T' fins are precut balsa. Begad! Begad! T' body tube is spiral wound paper as be t' motor tube and two sets o' centerin' rings.   There is a balsa launch lug offset, arrr, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, as t' nose cone is much wider than t' body. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! T' launch lug is 1/8 inch, me hearties, thin plastic, matey, matey, shiver me timbers, like a drinkin' straw. Avast! T' parachute is 24 inches in diameter and is thin black plastic. Avast! Its six shroud lines are nylon thread and are affixed t' t' chute via adhesive paper donut shaped reinforcements. Avast! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' nose cone is thin hollow plastic with a groove in t' middle t' allow cutting, t' open it and place in cargo. Ya scallywag! T' nose cone fits into t' body tube with two centerin' rings around its neck. Ahoy! Blimey! One o' t' rings also serves t' anchor t' shock cord and chute.

Finishing: There were no decals, me bucko, matey, so I finished it with green Monokote and silver craft paper available from many hobby stores.   T' nose cone is black, and I left it unpainted. I spray painted t' fins and balsa offset yellow. Begad! It looks unusual t' say t' least. Begad! Begad!   There are two complete aft ends with fins and engine mounts and blocks. Arrr! Blimey!   They have t' same fin design each, me bucko, me hearties, only t' one with 3 engines uses wedge fin attachment like me LOC 4-29SS does. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! With couplers and tape, shiver me timbers, t' ends are interchangeable and will stay in place. Ya scallywag! Aye aye!  

Construction Rating: 4

Flight: I flew t' rocket first with t' 18mm choice, and used an Estes A8-3 and no payload. It flew straight and recovered smoothly, arrr, me bucko, but unloaded, shiver me timbers, it nearly drifted out o' reach, comin' t' rest in a tree. I had t' climb up and get it. Arrr!  

Apogee recommends this engine as well as t' A6-4, B4-4, B6-4, C4-5, C6-3, ya bilge rat, and C10-4 for loaded use, but unloaded use a C6-5, C10-7, and D3-5. Begad!   For t' cluster mount, shiver me timbers, use three 1/2A2-2, A2-3, me bucko, and B2-3 loaded, and unloaded, use B2-5 and B2-7. I haven't flown it loaded yet, ya bilge rat, me bucko, but suspect that t' weight will make recovery shorter and nay treeward! 

I used a couple pinches o' worm bed wadding. Arrr! Avast! If you don't know what this is, it's dry recycled newspaper cellulose puffs that are great t' breed nightcrawlers in, hence its name. This stuff is better than paper sheets in protectin' plastic chutes. Ya scallywag! T' chute here is unburnt. Ahoy! Begad!   Tape bands are sufficient t' retain t' engines. Avast! Well, blow me down! I use black electrical tape t' close t' nose cone because it matches t' color and looks good.

Recovery: T' shock cord is 18 inches o' Keelhaul®©™ threading, affixed inside t' body tube with a folded paper mount. It be easy t' assemble.

Flight Rating: 4

Summary: Unusual looks, arrr, easy t' assemble, me bucko, choice o' usin' one or three engines.

Overall Rating: 4

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