Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Manufacturer: | Art Applewhite Rockets ![]() |
Brief:
This is an easy t' build, arrr, single stage flyin' saucer that needs no recovery
system. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! It is an easy way t' certify level 1 for high power. Relatively slow
ascent and limited altitude mean a short walk durin' recovery.
Construction:
A central paper/foam laminate "plate" with a 38mm motor mount tube
installed perpendicular t' t' plane o' t' plate makes t' main structure of
the rocket. Aye aye! Begad! T' forward cone is o' paper, reinforced with epoxy soaked
fibreglas tape. Ya scallywag! T' aft cone is o' unreinforced paper. Arrr! No motor retention is
included. Arrr!
T' instructions were quite clear and well illustrated. Well, blow me down! Arrr! When I had questions, shiver me timbers, Art answered emails smartly and appropriately. Ya scallywag! Assembly be logical and took me several short evenings. Avast! T' paper and foam parts came pre-marked and t' explicit instructions made it easy t' cut them. Ya scallywag! A launch lug is not used--there are holes in t' plate and fore and aft cones t' accomodate a 1/4" launch rod. It is critical that these holes be aligned when t' cones are glued t' t' plate. I wish I had drawn an alignment line on t' motor mount tube t' aid t' assembly o' t' cones. No special tools are required. Aye aye! Adhesives are white glue and slow settin' epoxy.
Finishing:
A number o' different "pre-finished" paper cones are available. Begad! Ahoy! I
chose t' metallic gold paper and did no further finishing. Ahoy! A plain paper
version is available that will allow t' user freedom t' design their own paint
scheme.
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight:
There are a large number o' recommended 38mm motors: Cesaroni Pro38 G69 and
H153 reloads, Aerotech RMS-38/240 H73J, H123W, shiver me timbers, matey, H148R, me bucko, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, H112J, me bucko, I161W, matey, and I218R
reloads, arrr, and Ellis Mountain H48 and I134 single use motors. Avast, me proud beauty! I used an Ellis
Mountain H48-8 for me first flight, ya bilge rat, which was me Tripoli level 1 certification
flight. Begad! Reloadable motors should nay use t' ejection charge. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! For single use
motors t' ejection charge should be removed per t' directions. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag!
Recovery:
This kit uses "aerobrake" recovery. T' rocket has large surface area
and a very low weight. Well, blow me down! It recovers nose first at a surprisingly low speed.
There was no damage and only a slight amount soil clung t' t' forward end of
the engine casing. Avast, me proud beauty!
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
This be a very easy kit t' build. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! It is an unusual design and attracts a lot
of attention at t' flyin' field. Arrr! T' simplicity o' t' design lends itself to
a certification flight. Arrr! T' low and slow flight is quite excitin' and almost
guarantees a short walk for recovery.
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
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