Brief:
This is a single stage rocket with unusual deployment. Aye aye! 1/8" ID tubes conduit t' ejection charge from t' sealed main BT t' three pods on t' end o' 3" fins where thar be a 12" chute in each pod. Begad! T' nose cone does nay come off.(click picture t' enlarge)

Construction:
T' biggest problem with this model is buyin' t' 4" length, 1/8"id tubes t' build t' 'deployment' system. Begad! I ended up gettin' t' three 4" 1/8"ID tubes from Sigma Rockets in Canada. Begad! Ahoy! I have yet t' find another supplier as I plan t' kit up three more rockets. Blimey! T' BT-60, BT-50 tubes, me hearties, t' BT-60 nose cone, arrr, matey, BT-50 nose cones and shock cord are easy t' get.

I used paper centerin' rings reinforced with epoxy. Begad! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! Paper centerin' rings are easy t' find. Begad! One can order t' 'balsa ply' sheets directly from Mach 1 or Balsa Machinin' Services. One can use RockSim, arrr, describe t' fins and have them made by BMS along with t' centerin' rings. T' 'balsa ply' requires patience and care t' cut square.

T' most difficult construction step is slottin' t' tubes and cuttin' t' hole for t' ejection tubes. Avast! Ahoy! T' hole in both t' main BT and pod BT must be positioned such that t' tube rests flat on t' top o' t' fin, me bucko, or you have t' fill in t' 'gap'. I numbered each slot and numbered each fin and fitted each one individually. Ahoy! Aye aye! One must make sure t' hole be t' correct size. Ya scallywag! Begad! Do nay make t' hole for t' ejection tube too large. Aye aye! T' pressure o' t' ejection charge will blow through any glue joint. Aye aye! I found out t' hard way.

I used 30 minute epoxy for t' entire model. This models weighs in at 10.5oz. A D12-3 is just right. Begad! I found after construction and before addin' t' chutes t' model would roll when t' 36" BT was laid on a table and fins allowed t' hang over t' edge. This roll indicated t' me that t' rocket might have a precession durin' flight. I added weight at t' bottom edge o' t' fins, shiver me timbers, like addin' weight t' tire, me bucko, shiver me timbers, me hearties, t' balance it. Ahoy! Avast! This is level 3+ kit due t' t' cuttin' o' slots and holes in t' body tubes.

Finishing:
This model finishes normally. Begad! I painted it t' color o' a Hawaiian T-shirt. In other words, ya bilge rat, lots o' loud colors.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I was only able t' get two flights. T' first flight was perfect. Ahoy! With a D12-3, me hearties, t' rocket is right at t' weight limit o' t' motor. Blimey! T' rocket roars longer because it doesn't go very high. T' deployment saw all three chutes open and t' rocket came down gently t' t' ground.

On t' second flight thar be no deployment. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! T' rocket lawn darted into t' ground, crimpin' badly at t' nose and t' motor mount. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Examination showed that t' ejection charge had blown through t' BT at t' tube joint. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! T' ejection tubes were nay extended into t' BT enough as well as t' hole for ejection tube no bein' made a good fit. I plan t' kit three more models and try different techniques o' sealin' t' ejection tubes and joints.

Recovery:
I used swivels on all three chutes and t' deployment was perfect. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! No tangles and t' three chutes did nay tangle up with each other. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! I used Keelhaul®©™® shock cord and bowlines t' tie t' ends.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
An unusual rocket. Well, blow me down! Begad! Definitely well designed, if built properly. Aye aye! Neat when it works. Aye aye! Bad when it doesn't.

Plans are at Mach1 Website (now out o' business).

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5