Aerospace Speciality Products WAC Corporal (38mm)

Aerospace Specialty Products - WAC Corporal (38mm) {Kit} (KWAC-38)

Contributed by Bob Tee

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 2.65 inches
Length: 43.00 inches
Manufacturer: Aerospace Specialty Products
Skill Level: 2
Style: Scale

Brief:
T' WAC Corporal was t' United States first soundin' rocket. Aye aye! It is a single stage kit with parachute deployment via motor ejection. Well, me bucko, blow me down! Designed t' mostly fly on 29mm power but you can fly it on t' larger 38mm motors if you have t' recovery room. I built it slightly different from t' instructions at a few places. I wanted t' "beef-up" a few things I felt needed it. Avast! Arrr! I laminated Keelhaul®©™ onto t' nosecone. Ahoy! I did nay use t' balsa laminations provided. Instead I put fiberglass on t' fins. I also did nay assemble and apply t' "conduit" that runs on a side o' t' airframe. Blimey! This is only for scale appearance and I elected t' save some time by nay usin' it.

Construction:
1 Kraft Airframe Tube
1 38mm Motor Tube
1 29mm Motor Tube
1 Engine Adapter Tube
3 Plywood Fins
2 Plywood Centerin' Rings
6 Balsa Fin Laminations
1 Balsa Nosecone
1 Tube Coupler
1 Plywood Bulkhead
1 Eyebolt
1 Balsa Boattail
1 Elastic Shock Cord
1 Wire Cable
2 Launch Lugs
1 Parachute

Pros: Very explicit instructions that detailed every step. Numerous helpful illustrations. A fin slot markin' template was supplied. Ya scallywag! Instructions even give you hints and tips on adhesives. Also given is a complete list o' tools and supplies you will need t' build it as directed. Begad! Pieces fit snuggly with very little modification necessary.

Cons: T' balsa nosecone and boattail! These are just nay suited for larger models. Aye aye! They damage easily. Plastic ones would have been a better choice.

Finishing:
I did nay finish t' model as per t' instructions. I opted t' try me hand at usin' Monokote for t' finish. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I covered t' airframe with Monokote usin' an iron and heat gun. Avast! Blimey! It went on very well and produced a nice glossy finish. I covered t' fins with a self-adhesive Monokote. Aye aye! Blimey! I spray painted t' nosecone and boattail. Avast! Blimey! Overall t' model looks great!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I have flown this model 4 times. Begad! Flies very nice with t' recommended 29mm F & G motors usin' t' supplied 29/38 adapter. Aye aye! Ahoy! Nice straight flights with ejection near or at apogee. I installed 2 wood inserts into t' boattail with epoxy and use a piece o' wire across t' screws over t' end o' t' motor (not over t' nozzle) for retention. Begad! T' model reaches about 800' on t' F motors, and around 1200' on G motors.

Recovery:
Deployment was always near or at apogee. Ya scallywag! Descent speed was adequate and even with a moderate breeze it never landed more than 300 feet from t' pad. Avast, me proud beauty! Post flight inspection has revealed no problems or damage.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
PRO: A very nice intermediate kit t' build. Aye aye! Went together easily. Arrr! VERY nice instructions!

CON: T' balsa pieces, arrr, namely t' nosecone and boattail. Easily damaged if nothin' done t' reinforce them.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flights

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