BSD High Power Rocketry Thor

BSD High Power Rocketry - Thor {Kit}

Contributed by Allan Trau

Manufacturer: BSD High Power Rocketry
Rating
(by Allan Trau - 07/01/02)

Rocket PicBrief:
Single stage, arrr, dual deployment capable, arrr, ya bilge rat, three split-fin design.

Construction:
T' kit includes:

  • 3 body tubes, matey, 34" aft, me hearties, 10" electronics payload, 24" forward
  • 2 coupler tubes
  • 3 plywood centerin' rings
  • 3 aft 3/16" plywood fins
  • 3 fore 3/16" plywood fins
  • plastic nose cone
  • 45" nylon chute
  • 20' elastic shock cord
  • Quick links
  • eyebolts
  • rail buttons
  • plastic rivets
  • motor retention system
  • vinyl graphic decals

Instructions a excellent, easy t' read and follow. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! Pictures are included with most steps. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! Diagrams o' t' rocket are provided for dual deployment. Ahoy! A fin alignment template is included.

T' materials are o' high quality and fit with minimal sanding. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket is solid when completed. Ahoy! Blimey! Addition o' finishin' epoxy plus some sandin' t' the couplers makes t' payload sections a snug fit.

Finishing:
When applied properly, t' vinyl decals look like paint. Avast, me proud beauty! If you've never applied this type o' decal before, it's a piece o' cake and t' outcome will surprise you. Aye aye! I can't get over how good they look.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Have only flown it once so far, ya bilge rat, but t' motor selection for t' Thor includes a wide range. I flew it on an Aerotech J420 Redline.

Waddin' is suggested, arrr, ya bilge rat, but I replaced it with leather chute protectors. Aye aye! The motor retention system provided are two blind nuts, me hearties, screws, and clips. Simple and effective.

T' rocket flew straight as an arrow, did nay notice any spin.

Recovery:
Shock cord is a braided nylon strap and 20' o' elastic shock cord. Blimey! Ya scallywag! I added another nylon strap for dual deployment. Begad! T' chute provides a quick decent, not fast or anything, shiver me timbers, but t' sturdy design o' t' rocket can withstand the landing. Begad! Upsize t' chute for harder surfaces. I encountered no damage at all.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
A pleasure t' build - really fun. Avast! Ahoy! T' instructions are excellent, me bucko, me hearties, shiver me timbers, materials are excellent, me hearties, me hearties, design is great. Ya scallywag! T' screws with t' motor retention system have a shoulder, me hearties, shiver me timbers, so they can't be tightened all t' way, shiver me timbers, but easily replaced with some from t' hardware store. Ya scallywag! T' plastic rivets ensure you do nay separate at locations on t' rocket nay intended.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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