Brief:
A Shrox design from t' Apogee newsletter, shiver me timbers, #85; t' Javelin is a fantasy research rocket designed t' collect high altitude air samples. It’s a quick, easy build, and good diversion from t' basic skill level 1 commercially available kits. It’s a nice first step into t' build-it-yourself world rather than assemble kits.

Construction:

1. 24mm nose cone (plastic)
2. BT-50 body tube (13.5-inch)
3. 18mm motor tube (BT-20/2.75-inch)
4. (2) 18/24 centerin' rings
5. 36-inch Keelhaul®©™® shock cord (at least 110#, ideally 300#)
6. parachute (8-inch)
7. 3/32 balsa or basswood fin stock
8. clay nose weight (0.25 oz.)
9. decal sheet (download from E-zine archives)

T' parts list printed in t' E-zine seems t' indicate that this is a 2-stage design. Ahoy! T' Rocksim file, though, is strictly single stage, which is the way I built this. Ahoy! Avast! T' free design comes with no instructions, so you’ll have t' rely on t' Rocksim file and some buildin' experience to figure this one out.

Assemble t' motor mount assembly with t' BT-20 and centerin' rings, me hearties, arrr, then mount this into t' BT-50. Blimey! Blimey! T' dimensions for t' (2) sets o' fins are in the RockSim design file, ya bilge rat, though I’m lazy and prefer t' print t' templates usin' t' full version o' RockSim. Blimey! Blimey! After cuttin' out t' fins, matey, me bucko, tack them t' the body on 3-fin/120-degree alignment.

Add about a 1/4-ounce o' nose weight, arrr, arrr, install t' parachute & shock cord, and you’re ready for paint.

Finishing:
T' suggested finish on this is a two-color scheme, with a glossy white base and t' upper portion o' t' rocket finished in a light (sky?) blue. Arrr! I applied a base coat o' primer, and wound up with four finishin' coats before I got a finish I was satisfied with (eliminatin' slight runs under t' maskin' tape). Ahoy! Ahoy! I used me ink-jet printer and Avery clear decal stock t' print t' decals, ya bilge rat, which include a Canadian Air Force name strip and a couple o' Apogee logos. Blimey! Well, blow me down! The decals are a very nice touch t' t' Apogee/Shrox designs, me bucko, me bucko, and in me opinion make them stand out from t' normal free plans I’ve seen on-line and in other publications.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
You’ll have t' learn simulations in RockSim t' come up with a motor selection list, as thar were none recommended in t' newsletter. Begad! I opted for a B6-6, and on a hot summer day with light winds, got just over 500 feet. The delay was a very good choice, with ejection comin' just after t' rocket arc’d over.

T' chute looked a bit small for this, but it did nay seem t' come down too quickly, and t' rocket was recovered safely less than 50-yards from t' pad.

Recovery:
No problems at all with flight.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
If you’re just downloadin' t' Rocksim file, me hearties, you won’t have much trouble with this plan. Ahoy! If, however, you’re like me and read the newsletter, me hearties, pulled t' parts, then started tryin' t' reconcile t' newsletter parts list t' t' Rocksim plan, you’ll have some difficulty. This was a little disappointin' given t' many other Shrox/Apogee downloads that are available without this type o' issue.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5