Aerotech HV ARCAS

Aerotech - HV Arcas {Kit} (89012) [1989-]

Contributed by Jack Caynon

Manufacturer: Aerotech
Style: Sport
(Contributed - by Jack Caynon - 04/07/08) AeroTech ARCAS

Brief:
Mid-power rocket modified t' be a Level 1 Certification Rocket.

Modifications:
T' rocket is a strong flier on G motors and is an even better flier on 29mm H motors so it is suitable as a Level 1 Certification Rocket. Begad! T' modify it t' fly on a 29-180 motor, ya bilge rat, I used an Aeropack 29mm motor retainer designed for cardboard tubing. Ya scallywag! When you use this retainer, arrr, you need t' make certain that you have at least 0.25 inch o' motor tubing stickin' out from t' aft centerin' rin' so you can JB Weld t' retainer onto your tube. Aye aye! As for t' motor block inside the motor mount tube, I would recommend that you discard it all together. Avast, me proud beauty! If you use single-use 29 mm motors, wrap several bands o' maskin' tape around t' nozzle end o' your motor t' serve as a motor block similar t' t' motor block rin' on your 29-180 motor. Well, blow me down! That way, you can use anythin' up t' 13 inches in length. Ya scallywag! Replace t' flimsy AeroTech chute with a 30 inch Spherachute and use 15 minute epoxy durin' your construction and you should be good t' go!

Construction:
This is a four-fin rocket that is a semi-scale version o' t' High Velocity ARCAS soundin' rocket round used in the Sparrow-HV ARCAS rocket o' t' 1960s. Avast! Begad! It was t' top stage o' t' two-stage soundin' rocket. Begad! T' tubin' is cardboard and t' fins are plastic. T' shock cord be t' 1/4 inch elastic tubin' that AeroTech uses for its mid-power rockets.

AeroTech ARCAS

T' rocket comes in a very sturdy box, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, and for t' most part, me hearties, matey, you should follow t' instructions that come with t' kit.

Finishing:
T' body tubes have shallow grooves that are easy t' fill. Begad! Ya scallywag! Usin' Krylon paint, me bucko, I painted it just like t' picture on the box. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! T' plastic fins are tough and easy t' finish, so they're a real plus. Avast! As for t' nose cone, me hearties, wash it thoroughly then sand it with 100 grit sandpaper before your first coat o' Krylon plastic primer. Use t' plastic paint and primer on t' plastic parts and regular Krylon on t' cardboard parts and you should have a great lookin' rocket.

Flight:
This rocket, even after t' modification, arrr, arrr, me bucko, will fly well on high thrust F motors, me bucko, shiver me timbers, matey, G motors, and 29mm H motors. Because of t' AeroTech baffle system, you won't need any wadding. Well, blow me down!

On August 2003, matey, arrr, I achieved me Level 1 Certification at Nike Carrollton Park in Smithfield, Virginia, ya bilge rat, with this rocket on an Aerotech H165 Redline motor. Ya scallywag! T' lift off was fast and t' rocket flew, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, me hearties, as always, matey, ya bilge rat, matey, straight as an arrow. Aye aye! Ya scallywag!

Recovery:
T' chute ejected at apogee and t' rocket spiraled down slowly and softly on t' 30 inch Spherachute a hundred yards or so from t' launch point for t' successful conclusion o' me certification flight.

Summary:
PROs: Easy t' construct, me hearties, good-looking, me hearties, big rocket for Level 1 Certification. Great every-day flier.

CONs: None t' speak of.

This is an excellent mid-power rocket that is made even more versatile by these modifications t' be a great Level 1 rocket.

Other Reviews
  • Aerotech HV ARCAS By Chris Raymond (September 21, 2007)

    Large single stage rocket which is a replica of the high-velocity version of the Arcas sounding rocket. The HV Arcas came in a sturdy box . All the parts where there when it arrived. The instructions were easy to follow and had a lot of illustrations. The parts all fit and if assembled right is very study. No special tools were needed. Finishing: I painted it like the box . It was easy to ...

  • Aerotech HV ARCAS By John Yurcina (August 21, 2007)

    A great scale model of the HV ARCAS sounding rocket. Nothing more to say! This kit came with two body tubes, four fins, three centering rings made of "aerofibre" material, and a large hollow plastic nose cone. The instructions that came with this kit were *very* easy to follow.... Everything fit into place as planned, I had no problems. I used 30-minute epoxy and medium CA ...

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