Descon 13 Starfighter Modification

Scratch - Starfighter {Scratch}

Contributed by Ellicon Lenz

Manufacturer:

Starfighter

Modeled by: Ellison Lenz (Age 17)

This design based on a kit bash o' t' Estes DC Gemini. Well, blow me down! It has a single 18mm engine mount and a combination o' tube and flat fins. It is build usin' Titebond and 5 minute epoxy. Ya scallywag! What make this design unique be t' duel BT 20 tubes that make t' from fusalage and twin BT 20 nose cones.

Rocket Pic

T' build started by gluin' t' two BT 20 body tube together, ya bilge rat, side by side. Blimey! Card stock be cut and used t' cover t' gap betwixt t' two tubes. Well, blow me down! Next t' BT 50 tube was notched one inch t' fit centered over t' ends o' t' BT 20 body tubes and glued on. Well, blow me down! One o' t' BT 20 nose cones was cut in half lengthwise and sanded t' fit into t' end o' t' BT 20 and along t' BT 50 and glued on. Well, blow me down! This completes t' main body structure.

T' engine tube was glued together with t' engine clip, arrr, two BT50/20 centerin' rings and an engine thrust ring. While this was drying, shiver me timbers, t' remainin' two BT 20 nose cones were glued together, ya bilge rat, me bucko, side by side while inserted in t' front ends o' t' BT 20 tubes. Arrr! Avast! These were then streamlined with card stock like t' BT 20 had been. Blimey! T' engine tube was then glued into t' main body tube, me bucko, leavin' ¼" stickin' out o' t' rear. Glue soaked tissue be used t' fill any remainin' gaps betwixt t' body tubes.

T' BT 50 nose cone was also cut in half lengthwise, me hearties, sanded t' fit t' body tubes and glued t' t' top o' t' main body, me hearties, me bucko, end t' end with t' joint even with t' end o' t' BT 20 tubes.

T' tube fins were then attached t' t' aft o' t' rocket evenly spaced around t' BT 50 tube (120% apart) and t' balsa fins attach over then and t' t' main body tube. Ahoy! T' leadin' edges were then reinforced with t' 1/8" bamboo skewer. Begad! T' main launch lug was attached t' t' bottom o' t' aft o' t' rocket at one o' t' tube fin joints and t' remainin' launch lug pieces were used t' detail t' rocket as cannon mounts with two on t' bottom center line just in front o' t' BT 50 and t' larger two on both side just behind t' nosecones. Pieces o' t' ¼" balsa was cut and sanded t' streamline and support t' aft o' these cannon mounts.

T' shock cord be attached Estes style into one o' t' BT 20 tubes and also t' one o' t' BT 20 nose cones and t' parachute was assembled and attached t' t' other nose cone. Aye aye! Recovery wadin' is needed in both BT 20 tubes, one t' protect t' shock cord and t' other t' protect t' parachute.

All o' t' joints were then buffeted usin' titebond glue on paper t' paper and wood t' paper joints and epoxy on plastic t' wood and plastic t' paper joints. Well, blow me down! Begad! As a final step, thin CA was applied t' t' card stock pieces t' strengthen them.

T' CP/CG stability be verified with a swin' test, no nose weight be required. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' model be launch at one o' t' MASA January launches in White Bear, matey, Minnesota - Good Flight.

Parts