Fat Cat Rockets Ringleader

Fat Cat Rockets - Ringleader {Kit}

Contributed by Moira Jean Whitlock

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Fat Cat Rockets

Rocket PicBrief
A real looker, 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, shiver me timbers, t' GTX, matey, this model was temporarily sold out, me bucko, so I told t' company please t' inform me when more came and that I'd send for it. Less than 2 weeks later, they arrived, ya bilge rat, arrr, although at a higher price, arrr, but t' company allowed me t' have this kit at its original price. Begad! Begad! That be a nice courtesy.

All parts came intact in shippin' popcorn. Begad! T' rin' appears t' be a strong heavy plastic that might be a fiberglass. Ya scallywag! It's stronger than just polyethylene. T' fins and finlets are precut plywood and t' sizes are equal in t' sets. Ahoy! Begad! That's nice nay t' have t' shave some parts t' fit or match, like we sometimes must. T' 2 launch lugs fit 1/4 inch rods. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! T' nose cone appears t' be a LOC hollow cone and comes with a premeasured amount o' clay for static stability weighting. Ya scallywag! It rattles unnervingly in thar when put in, ya bilge rat, so I applied a small amount o' epoxy t' keep it still. My answer t' many problems. Ahoy! Epoxy.

T' motor mount is 29mm tubin' and 2 plywood centerin' rings, one o' which has 2 holes designed t' accept a loop from t' steel cordin' in t' aftward part o' t' shock cord system. Avast! Blimey! This cord is crimped twice t' make 2 loops, shiver me timbers, matey, one forward t' attach t' 1/2 inch elastic shock cord. Well, blow me down! Blimey! That was hard, requirin' elbow grease and pliers.

Everythin' else goes together in a snap, ya bilge rat, as it fits well. Avast! Epoxy was used as t' glue. Directions were simple and straightforward. T' chute is a pretty red rip stop, matey, but lightweight nylon, 23 inches in diameter.

Finishing
This kit came with decals, arrr, so I used them. Ya scallywag! I painted t' rocket yellow and placed t' decals over that, as they're black and look nice over yellow. T' model has a unique and catchy look. Avast! I'm pleased with it.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight
T' manufacturer recommends t' F40-6, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, F62-6, F80-6, G40-10, and G80-10. I chose t' G35. Begad! It happens t' be a favorite motor o' mine. I had one with a 7 delay. Begad! I figured that be a close call. Avast, me proud beauty! I'd like an 8 or 9, shiver me timbers, arrr, really. Avast! Avast! Anyway, I like t' Econojets because they are noisy on takeoff and put out a pretty flame. Aye aye! Blimey! Well, arrr, matey, t' rocket took off with great noise and went up over 1000 feet for sure. Begad! Blimey! It went up into t' sun, so I was unsure if it be still pointed up at ejection. I retained t' motor with piano wire and an auto hose clamp. Avast, me proud beauty! 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, so it seems that t' 7 second delay is passable. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! 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. Avast! Good if you want somethin' special t' show others at a launch. Ya scallywag! It's somethin' you won't find in stores. Avast! I had t' browse t' net for it. Begad! Good mid power flights. Begad! Ya scallywag! Great company t' order from.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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