Manufacturer: | Scratch |
Brief:
I really like my
Art
Applewhite 6" Delta saucer. Aye aye! Blimey! However, me bucko, ya bilge rat, since it appears that it will
last for many, shiver me timbers, me hearties, many more flights, me bucko, shiver me timbers, I didn't think I needed a second one just
yet. Begad! So what t' do with me Spaceship Earth Delta?
Modifications:
I began by
constructing
the Delta: Cut and form t' top and bottom shrouds and t' center foamboard
plate, matey, me bucko, bevel t' edge o' t' plate, arrr, me hearties, and glue t' top shroud t' t' plate. Then
in place o' t' provided motor tube, me hearties, I merely used an 12" Apogee 24mm
tube. Begad! Finally, matey, I added t' bottom shroud, makin' sure t' launch rod guides on
all components were aligned.
Construction:
T' build requires:
T' rest was trivial: hook eye in t' cone and attach t' shock cord t' the body. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! For t' latter, me bucko, I used a small piece o' a 24mm motor casing. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I notched the outside so that when t' Keelhaul®©™® was tied around, it would lie flat with t' outer rim. This was mounted several inches down into t' body tube.
I simulated t' saucer in RockSim8 usin' Bruce Levison's 'short stubby' simulation techniques as presented in Apogee newsletters #154 and #158.
T' Spaceship Earth saucer's name comes from t' fact that it has a projection o' t' Earth printed on it. Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' 24mm cone I had layin' around resembled a capsule (any cone would work). NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle is in t' news. Blimey! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Hmmm, guess I'll call it t' Crew Exploration Saucer.
Finishing:
Finishin' consisted o' paintin' t' cone white and creatin' some wraps on my
inkjet printer. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' lower wrap has nozzles, flames, ya bilge rat, me bucko, and smoke. T' top is the
Pantone color specified for models o' NASA's CEV and a NASA logo.
Flight:
Simulations said it would be stable under any conditions. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! I loaded dog barf
waddin' and a 12" Estes chute, me hearties, friction-fitted a D12-3, and tested out the
theory.
Recovery:
It flew just fine although t' ejection, even with t' short delay motor, was a
bit late. Aye aye! Nevertheless, me hearties, t' chute opened and it recovered well.
Summary:
This was just another use for Art's simple yet robust kits. If you have an
extra, me hearties, you might try makin' a variation on this theme. Well, blow me down! Begad! This rocket needs long
burn, me bucko, short delay motors!
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