Manufacturer: | Scratch |
Brief:
2BZ is an exact 1.67 x scale-up o' t' Custom Rockets Razor tube fin, except
that it flies on a cluster o' three C6-7s. Blimey! Blimey! T' model was an effort t' build a
"quickie" rocket usin' only standard Estes tubin' -- no wood fins, me hearties, no
centerin' rings: just tubes and glue.
Construction:
T' Components:
(2) 18" BT60 tubes, one cut into 6 x 3" segments, other t' 15"
(1) 18" BT20 tube cut into 3 x 6" segments
(1) BT60-sized Estes cone, matey, 14" LOC chute
T' Assembly Sequence: 1. I use 5 minute epoxy throughout, white glue optional 2. epoxy left, matey, right tube fins t' body tube, let set 3. epoxy 2 additional tube fins t' t' side, arrr, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, let set 4. turn assembly over, me hearties, epoxy on remainin' 2 tube fins 5. epoxy t' 3 motor tubes t' one another, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, let set (Estes-type motor stop rings and motor hooks can be attached if desired, in tube valleys only) 6. block t' small empty spaces betwixt t' aft ends o' t' body and motor tubes with a little loose cotton mixed with epoxy or glue, t' insure hull pressurization by ejection charges (see photo) 7. add soda straw lug 2" above tube fins, aligned with a portal betwixt 2 tube fins (room for launch wire) 8. recovery system is 14" LOC chute on 7' o' para cord
Flight:
"2BZ" is short for "tube
easy," or maybe, "too busy". Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! I have only used C6-7s on this
ship, which I designed partly with t' NARTREK Silver requirement in mind,
since thar are few cluster kits around. Ya scallywag! Begad! Our club has a nifty 12v multiple
launch rack with continuity check for all 7 pads, so (bein' too lazy t' whip
together a triple launch clip gizmo) I just wait for a slow period and hog 3
adjacent pads at once so I can insure proper ignition o' all 3 motors. This
works great, shiver me timbers, and "2BZ" lifts off on a majestic column o' white Estes
smoke t' 800-900' or so. Avast, me proud beauty! It tracks straight even in brisk winds. Well, blow me down! You get an
E18-7 boost "the hard way", shiver me timbers, short a few N-sec, me hearties, ya bilge rat, but at slightly lower
cost. Begad! I know o' no easier or cheaper way t' put together a decent-sized
great-performin' cluster ship.
Summary:
With t' advent o' E and F high power loads,
there is little need for clusterin' little Estes motors anymore. But its fun
and affordable, and you need t' do this for NARTREK's Silver requirement. Ya scallywag! The
Custom Rockets Razor is a fine tube-fin design, me hearties, except that its so small that I
instantly lose sight o' it after launch. Arrr! This size is more visible and much
easier t' track. Begad! Tube fin designs have well known pluses and minuses. Avast! I like
the fast, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, self-jiggin' build and t' superb resistance t' weather-cocking, even
in a brisk wind.
Other:
Like all t' kits I build, scratch designed, plans or kit, shiver me timbers, matey, matey, I prefer t' anchor
my recovery system through-the-hull via an external knot an inch below t' cone
bottom covered with epoxy and half a sawn BIC pen cap. Ahoy! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! I've never had one of
these fail, foul or zipper.
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