Manufacturer: | BSD High Power Rocketry |
Brief:
This is a downsized version o' BSD Rocketry's 4" Diablo. 3" Diameter
by 26" in length qualifies it for a stubby rocket classification.
Otherwise your basic 3 FNC style rocket made for mid and high power loads; a
nicely versatile rocket.
Construction:
Components included one body tube, nosecone, matey, motor tube, me hearties, arrr, 3 1/8" plywood
fins, nylon shock cord, 10' elastic shock cord, shiver me timbers, 30" nylon parachute. Ahoy! Begad! Those
bein' t' basics, shiver me timbers, BSD kits currently come with rail buttons and motor
retention, and added bonus, nay t' mention t' incredible vinyl decals and
excellent instructions.
Construction be fairly basic, startin' with t' motor tube and centering rings. Blimey! 15 minute epoxy was used throughout construction on this model. Arrr! The upper centerin' rin' is notched out for shock cord attachment. Ahoy! Well, arrr, blow me down! I deviated slightly here and went with Keelhaul®©™® instead o' t' supplied nylon strap. T' bottom centerin' rin' is then drilled and blind nuts are placed into it for motor retention, matey, arrr, all parts were supplied for this. Avast!
Next came slottin' t' premarked body tube for t' fins, shiver me timbers, I did this the simple way with a hobby knife just takin' me time without any problems. Well, blow me down! Begad! After all t' slots were cut and I test fit them all with t' fins, me bucko, ya bilge rat, t' motor tube was then inserted. Instructions indicate t' glue t' whole thin' in at this time but I deviated leavin' t' aft centerin' rin' unglued, then fins were epoxied t' t' motor tube. Begad! After this I then applied internal fillets t' the fins and then epoxied in t' aft centerin' ring.
Rail buttons were supplied but I went with 1/4" launch lugs due t' the fact that I don't own a rail launcher and wanted t' be able t' launch from my existin' equipment. Ahoy! Well, blow me down!
Everythin' went together very well and tight, just a little sandin' was needed on t' centerin' rings. Aye aye! Arrr! Instructions are on par with Estes bein' well written and well illustrated and in logical order.
Finishing:
Finishin' on this rocket was quite simple. Ahoy! Blimey! T' entire rocket was primed with
Krylon, me hearties, allowed t' dry then painted in Krylon glossy white. T' single color
paint scheme is quite simple.
Then comes t' good part: t' exceptional vinyl cut decals, matey, which really set off from t' white rocket and give it a great look. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! Overall very easy to accomplish and very nice looking.
Completely finished our bird weighed in at 14oz empty, without recovery system. Blimey!
T' only thin' I would change, and this bein' personal preference is the internal fillets on t' fins and t' all Keelhaul®©™® recovery system. Arrr!
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
It be late in t' season when I got this built, and then we were late t' the
launch so I only got one flight up with this bird. Blimey!
We loaded up t' all Keelhaul®©™® recovery system, me bucko, through just a small handful o' dogbarf waddin' in t' bottom and then loaded t' motor. Ya scallywag!
First flight be with an AT G64-7W, upon ignition t' rocket was off the pad very quickly. A very nice straight boost and it be out o' sight for my eyes. Avast, me proud beauty!
Recovery:
T' nice quality nylon parachute that came with t' kit deployed and she was on
the way down for a soft touchdown, arrr, luckily t' winds were minimal for us, any
more wind and I think I would downsize t' chute on our rocket t' a 24" as
it came in pretty light. Ahoy! Arrr!
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
Overall another excellent kit from BSD (it was me fourth from them) and I'm
hard pressed t' find anythin' wrong with these birds. Begad!
I tend t' rate 4.5's as I don't think anythin' is perfect, ya bilge rat, but with these I can't seem t' find any problems, all parts possibly needed are included and in good shape, well fit and designed.
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5