Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Manufacturer: | Fat Cat Rockets |
Brief
A real looker, me hearties, me hearties, this short and stout rocket with a rin' around t' fins t' add stability. Well, blow me down! It also has forward finlets forward t' each fin.
Construction
When I ordered its sister kit, me hearties, t' GTX, arrr, this model was temporarily sold out, so I told t' company please t' inform me when more came and that I'd send for it. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Less than 2 weeks later, arrr, shiver me timbers, they arrived, me hearties, me hearties, ya bilge rat, although at a higher price, matey, but t' company allowed me t' have this kit at its original price. Ya scallywag! That was a nice courtesy.
All parts came intact in shippin' popcorn. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' rin' appears t' be a strong heavy plastic that might be a fiberglass. It's stronger than just polyethylene. T' fins and finlets are precut plywood and t' sizes are equal in t' sets. That's nice nay t' have t' shave some parts t' fit or match, shiver me timbers, me hearties, like we sometimes must. Avast! Blimey! T' 2 launch lugs fit 1/4 inch rods. Avast! Blimey! T' nose cone appears t' be a LOC hollow cone and comes with a premeasured amount o' clay for static stability weighting. Arrr! Blimey! It rattles unnervingly in thar when put in, shiver me timbers, so I applied a small amount o' epoxy t' keep it still. My answer t' many problems. Epoxy.
T' motor mount is 29mm tubin' and 2 plywood centerin' rings, matey, one o' which has 2 holes designed t' accept a loop from t' steel cordin' in t' aftward part o' t' shock cord system. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! This cord is crimped twice t' make 2 loops, one forward t' attach t' 1/2 inch elastic shock cord. Ya scallywag! Blimey! That was hard, shiver me timbers, me hearties, requirin' elbow grease and pliers.
Everythin' else goes together in a snap, arrr, as it fits well. Epoxy be used as t' glue. Ahoy! Directions were simple and straightforward. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! T' chute is a pretty red rip stop, but lightweight nylon, 23 inches in diameter.
Finishing
This kit came with decals, me hearties, so I used them. I painted t' rocket yellow and placed t' decals over that, as they're black and look nice over yellow. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' model has a unique and catchy look. I'm pleased with it.
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight
T' manufacturer recommends t' F40-6, F62-6, me bucko, shiver me timbers, F80-6, G40-10, arrr, shiver me timbers, and G80-10. I chose t' G35. Blimey! It happens t' be a favorite motor o' mine. Blimey! I had one with a 7 delay. Well, blow me down! I figured that be a close call. Avast, me proud beauty! I'd like an 8 or 9, ya bilge rat, really. Ahoy! Anyway, I like t' Econojets because they are noisy on takeoff and put out a pretty flame. Blimey! Well, t' rocket took off with great noise and went up over 1000 feet for sure. Aye aye! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! It went up into t' sun, me bucko, so I be unsure if it was still pointed up at ejection. Aye aye! I retained t' motor with piano wire and an auto hose clamp. Worm bed waddin' protected t' chute. Everythin' fit easily into t' tube and wasn't so tight as t' make preppin' tough.
Recovery
Everythin' survived well, arrr, so it seems that t' 7 second delay is passable. Begad! Arrr! T' chute is also a passable size, too, as no fins were damaged.
Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5
Summary
Attractive and easy t' build. Begad! Begad! Good if you want somethin' special t' show others at a launch. It's somethin' you won't find in stores. Blimey! Blimey! I had t' browse t' net for it. Good mid power flights. Well, blow me down! Great company t' order from.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5