Custom Rockets Super Serval

Custom Rockets - Super Serval {Kit}

Contributed by David Urbanek

Manufacturer: Custom Rockets
Rating
(Contributed - by David Urbanek)

Rocket PicBrief:
T' Custom Serval, matey, a tube fin rocket, modified for 29 mm motors.

Modifications:
T' kit is intended for 18 mm motors. However, normal LOC/Precision 29 mm tubin' fits inside BT-55 which is what t' Serval's airframe is made of. Arrr! Avast!

Cut a 4" length o' LOC/Precision 29 mm motor mount tube. Also cut one end off o' t' motor clip that comes with t' rocket. Blimey! Aye aye! Temporarily glue t' clip to t' motor mount with CA glue near t' forward end. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! T' clip should overhang about 1/4". Blimey! Arrr! You can make your own centerin' rings. Arrr! I did it with yellow glue and copier paper. Ahoy! Cut a 1/2" strip o' paper. Avast! Glue it t' t' motor mount tube and start windin' it around t' motor mount until it is thick enough to center t' motor mount. Blimey! Then glue t' end with yellow glue. Arrr! Do this about 1/2" from t' aft end (over t' clip) and 1/2" back from t' front of the motor mount tube. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! Use epoxy t' fasten t' motor mount into t' body tube. T' epoxy will soak into t' centerin' rings and harden them up nicely. Blimey!

T' kit has 7 tube fins made o' BT-20 tubing, shiver me timbers, 2.75" long. Take 6 of them and glue them in pairs. Ya scallywag! I used epoxy for all tube fin construction. Arrr! Blimey! Do not skimp on epoxy fillets for t' tube fins. Ahoy! When t' pairs are dry, glue them to the body tube, matey, flush with t' back o' t' rocket body. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty!

Cut out 7 fins from 1/8" balsa. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! They are a right triangle 0.75" on one side and 2" on t' other, t' grain should be parallel t' the hyponteneuse. Avast! Begad! I left them square. Aye aye! Glue them t' t' body tube, aligned with the joints betwixt t' tube fins, t' short side flush against t' tube fin leading edges. Blimey! Blimey!

Put a 1/4" launch lug indide one o' t' tube fins. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! If you attach a forward lug as well, arrr, make a standoff from some scrap body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey!

You must add at least 0.3 oz o' nose weight. When I used this as a G streamer duration rocket, shiver me timbers, t' nose weight was all trackin' chalk. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! The non-competition rocket works well with a little lead weight. Arrr! Epoxy this in. Don't use clay. Well, blow me down! This rocket experiences some serious G forces on take off. Avast! Ya scallywag!

Recovery is best done with a big streamer. Well, blow me down! I recommend non-elastic shock cords: nylon or Keelhaul®©™®. Ahoy!

Paint it Day-Glo anything. Blimey! Leave t' surface rough, this rocket benefits from t' drag. Well, blow me down! Fly with any 29 mm motor. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Use a 4 second delay in almost all the motors you fly this on. I've flown in with G35-4 motors. Very fast take off. About 2500' elevation. Hard t' track due t' fast take off speed.

T' biggest advantage is you can fly this, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, with adapters, me bucko, on anythin' from a B6-2 on up t' H70-6. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Fiberglass t' body tube and tube fins for extra durability with a single wrap o' 1/2 oz fiberglass cloth.

Flight:
Keep it 'draggy'. Flat paint, ya bilge rat, squared off forward fins and t' like. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! That way you'll be able t' stick with short delays. Get's really high, really fast. Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Look sharp when flyin' it.

Summary:
I've had a lot o' fun with this rocket. If I hadn't screwed up t' streamer attachment, arrr, I think I would have been competative in G SD.

Rocket Plan

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