Art Applewhite Rockets Flying Saucer 24mm (7.25")

Art Applewhite Rockets - Flying Saucer 24mm (7.25") {Kit}

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: Art Applewhite Rockets

Rocket PicBrief:
This be t' 7.25" version o' Art's saucer line. Ya scallywag! Like t' larger 9" version, ya bilge rat, this saucer flies on C11-0 and D12-0 motors. Avast, me proud beauty! T' saucer's card stock shell is pre-printed in an USAF motif. Ya scallywag! Art now offers several designs, me hearties, various colors, and blank versions o' his 6", matey, arrr, 7.25", ya bilge rat, and 9" saucers.

Construction:
T' components are t' same as t' 9" version (but smaller, shiver me timbers, o' course):

  • Preprinted card stock comprises t' top and core assembly o' t' saucer.
  • One 7.25" plastic picnic plate comprises t' bottom.
  • One 2.75" BT-50 motor tube
  • One 2.75" motor hook
  • One 3/16" launch lug
  • 3/32" basswood fin stock

Tools and materials required:

  • Scissors
  • Exacto knife
  • Elmers' white glue
  • Rubber cement
  • Clear enamel (RUS-TOLEUM Crystal Clear or equivalent)
  • Double-sided tape
  • 150 grit sandpaper

Construction is identical t' t' 9" version. Aye aye! You first cut out t' top and core pieces and glue them together usin' t' printed tabs, similar t' any paper shroud. Avast, me proud beauty! An inner rin' is attached t' t' core, shiver me timbers, and t' core is glued into t' top section. Begad! These steps use white glue, and, matey, o' course, me bucko, t' glue must dry betwixt each step. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! Usin' a provided template, shiver me timbers, a hole t' size o' t' paper core is cut in t' plate. Well, blow me down! T' template is supposed t' be attached temporarily with double-sided tape, arrr, but I just used clear tape. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! T' plate is t' be glued t' t' saucer assembly with rubber cement. Ya scallywag! When I built me 9" saucer, matey, I substituted some old Liquid Nails. It had thickened some and I thought t' recommended rubber cement would work better. Ya scallywag! Well, I had bought some fresh Liquid Nails and decided t' try it again. Blimey! This time it worked fine.

Rocket BottomTo assemble t' fin can, you mark, arrr, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, cut and sand t' fins. Well, blow me down! These are attached t' t' motor tube like any other fins. You optionally can add card stock spin tabs. Ahoy! On this saucer, ya bilge rat, I elected t' leave them off (I used them on me 9" version). Avast, me proud beauty! Finally, ya bilge rat, t' launch lug is added and t' fin unit is complete. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! If you are goin' t' use t' spin tabs, make sure you glue t' launch lug on t' side o' a fin that is away from t' direction o' t' tabs. Begad! Avast! As with me previous saucer, me hearties, I left off t' motor hook t' allow longer motors, staging, shiver me timbers, etc.

T' last step is t' sand t' tip o' t' fins so that t' fin assembly slides into t' core section o' t' saucer.

Finishing:
Finishin' consists o' sprayin' t' printed top and core o' t' saucer with clear enamel. Avast! You have t' make sure nay t' get this on t' plastic plate as t' paint might damage it. I guess you could paint t' fin can, matey, but I elected t' leave it naked.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I flew t' saucer on a D12-0. Its boost was noticeably faster than its 9-inch cousin (no real surprise) and it really put those silly plastic RTF saucers t' shame :-). Avast! As with t' bigger saucer, t' fin unit and saucer sections did nay separate. Aye aye! Unlike t' bigger saucer, however, shiver me timbers, me bucko, it came down nose first.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This saucer is easy and fun t' build. It looks better, IMHO, than t' RTF ones, arrr, and thar are several colors/patterns t' choose from. Well, blow me down! If you like saucers, I suggest you get one o' these and go drag race a Snitch :-).

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Art Applewhite Rockets Flying Saucer 24mm (7.25") By Mike Salter

    (by Mike Salter) Brief: This is another of Art's flying saucer collection, this one is 7.25" in diameter and will fly to heights between 150 to 300 feet. Construction: All of the components were of high quality, the tube was neatly cut and the fin material was basswood for extra strength. The top and core sections are made of card stock and the bottom is a plastic party ...

Flights

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