Art Applewhite Rockets Flying Saucer (12")

Art Applewhite Rockets - Flying Saucer (12") {Kit}

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Manufacturer: Art Applewhite Rockets

Rocket PicBrief:
When he be Beta-testin' his 12" saucer line, me bucko, me hearties, Art graciously provided sent me several sets o' blank white shrouds for experimentation. Blimey! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! With t' scarcity o' 29mm AP motors, arrr, I decided that three E9's would be cool, arrr, me hearties, so I modified one stock ‘kit’ for a 3 x 24mm mount. Begad! Blimey! Before readin' this review, I suggest you first read me review on t' stock Fluorescent Green Flyin' Saucer.

 

Modifications:
This was a straightforward build. Arrr! Begad! I started by buildin' t' body o' an AAW 12" saucer usin' t' stock instructions. Ya scallywag! [Told you you'd need t' read t' other review ;-)]

I decided that I wanted a central launch lug, shiver me timbers, and decided a longer lug was required. Aye aye! Blimey! Also, me bucko, because thar be nay enough extra fin stock t' make t' larger fins required t' extend t' t' ¼" lug, you will have t' provide your own. I used 1/8" balsa, ya bilge rat, but you could use 3/32 or larger plywood also. Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I computed t' distance betwixt t' inner core o' t' saucer and t' lug, me hearties, and extended t' stock fin template accordingly.

Rocket PicWhen buildin' t' fin can, ya bilge rat, I found somethin' interesting. Begad! Begad! Blimey! Three 24mm tubes and t' three 1/8" fins fully covered t' circumference o' t' lug. Aye aye! Blimey! I had been worried about gettin' t' spacin' right, but that worry dissolved. Ya scallywag! Blimey! For this reason, ya bilge rat, I recommend 1/8" balsa over thinner plywood.

I filled t' fins with Fil’n’Finish and painted t' fin can flat white. T' white shroud is nay decorated, matey, but be sealed with clear enamel.

Construction:

  • One AAW 12" saucer kit
  • 1/8" balsa fin stock
  • Three 24mm motor tubes, arrr, 4" long
  • One ¼" LOC launch lug, arrr, 3.5" long

Flight:
As mentioned earlier, I used three E9's, which were lit with Igniterman igniters. Blimey! Blimey! I flew this as t' second in a sequence o' back-to-back saucer flights. Aye aye! Blimey! O' t' three flights, me bucko, me bucko, matey, this was t' smokiest. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' boost was a little wobbly, and t' saucer came in nose first.

Summary:
Art’s saucer kits are cool, shiver me timbers, and I found that they provide a good opportunity t' experiment with other motor configurations. T' 3 x 24" mount worked out nicely on a 12" saucer.

 

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