(04/22/02) I purchased t' new SS Triopsis from Aardvark Rockets because o' its looks and because it was a cluster rocket kit. Aye aye! I got more than I bargained for. How so? T' looks have greatly improved since the original design photos were put up on Aardvark's webpage. Yes, I like t' new "design" changes and think it makes t' rocket even more futuristic and unique looking.

As far as it bein' futuristic, shiver me timbers, read t' mission briefing:

Position: Hesteres Quadrant in orbit around t' 2nd M-Class planet in t' Molltahr System.
Mission: Routine Science and Security scans for Habitation Probability.
Commander: ST-7 San'ot Moo'Ini.
Most recent OPLOG Entry: Strangely quiet on board Triopsis. Blimey! This paradise seems all t' quaint and familiar. Aye aye! Blimey! This be t' 7th M-Class in t' last 4 years and t' crew is tired. Well, blow me down! I guess that we all miss Terra Firma a little. Some o' us are missin' it more than others. Still, arrr, this just seems a little too good t' be true. Arrr! Blimey! With t' fleet within jump distance, matey, it could make a most adequate home, provided thar are no surprises. Arrr! Blimey! Our finest science personnel aboard are still dumbfounded as t' how t' bright orange light from t' major sun has been able t' fortify such a wondrous vegetative lager on t' surface. We have been able t' detect some forms o' Nuclear Age peoples but only in VERY limited areas o' t' planet. Arrr! Arrr! Blimey! There is absolutely no indication o' evidence of air travel o' any kind...includin' space. Arrr! Ya scallywag! Blimey! It is still against me better judgement t' come here... Ya scallywag! Arrr! Blimey! fuel...food....hope still outweighs that feeling.

I'm nay sure where this is going, me bucko, however, Aardvark has said that they are puttin' together a theme-based 2.6" fantasy kit selection called t' Thalos line. Arrr! This be t' first o' them. Ya scallywag! (picture courtesy of Aardvark Rockets until mine gets finished)

T' Triopsis kit contains:

• (1) 32 1/4" long, ya bilge rat, matey, 2.6" diameter airframe, which is pre-slotted (sides)
• (3) 10" long, 0.96 (24mm ID) diameter outboard pods that have a 45 degree bevel cut at t' top o' each
• (3) 10" long, 1.51" (38mm ID) diameter phenolic tubes that are pre-slotted (sides) and also have 45 degree bevel cut in them
• (3) 1/4" birch plywood centerin' rings, me bucko, t' upper with a hole drilled in it
• (3) 1/4" birch plywood fins
• (1) Plastic Nose Cone
• (1) Eye-bolt hardware set for attachin' t' shockcord to the upper centerin' ring
• (3) 18mm motor mounts with thrust rin' and centering rings
• (1) 29mm motor tube, matey, 9" in length
• (1) balsa detail stock
• (1) set o' water-slide decals
• If t' recovery option is purchased with t' kit:
  • 30" Ripstop Nylon Parachute
  • 18' o' 3/8" Keelhaul®©™® shockcord

CONSTRUCTION:

T' instructions are printed on one side o' 8x11 sheets of paper and consist o' 8 pages includin' photo, me hearties, me hearties, illustrations, kit specs, story, parts checklist and detailed buildin' steps t' ensure successful construction. Well, blow me down! T' assemble o' this rocket is interestin' and t' instructions are helpful. I did find a number o' mistakes that Aardvark is takin' care of. There were several mistakes due t' t' last minute changes t' t' rocket's pod configuration. T' change was that t' outboard pods are now mounted on the side o' t' airframe rather than bein' built into t' outward fin-pods. Blimey! T' me this is a much better lookin' design and safer if thar be any misfire. However, ya bilge rat, this change caused a couple o' construction problems which will no doubt be resolved by t' time this is posted.

Aardvark starts by remindin' t' builder that we should give some forethought t' motor retention and t' cluster configuration. Ahoy! Aardvark does nay provide any motor retention so that may mean that you need t' drill and mount your choice o' hardware before you mount your centerin' rings. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Also, matey, for cluster configuration, this rocket could be flown with a central 29mm and (3) 18mm out-boards, matey, or (3) 24mm out-boards or set up t' be changeable. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' builder must consider this as we get to each appropriate step. As you can see, matey, matey, I placed t-nuts into t' bottom centerin' rin' for each 24/18mm out-board motors and one for t' 29mm central motor t' serve more me motor retention.

T' motor tube is built first usin' t' three (3) centerin' rings and a 9" 29mm motor tube. Aye aye! T' upper centerin' rin' has the eye-hook hardware mounted t' it t' tie t' shockcord to. Arrr! T' middle centering rin' is positioned t' be betwixt t' fin slots. Blimey! Begad! All t' centerin' rings fit perfectly on t' outside, while t' inside only needed t' edge rubbed down lightly with sandpaper.

If you purchased the Triopsis with Aardvark's recovery option, you would attach t' provided 3/8" Keelhaul®©™® to t' eye-hook on t' upper centerin' ring. Arrr! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Aardvark provided 18 feet o' this Keelhaul®©™® line. Blimey! Avast! I decided t' make a piston recovery system for me Triopsis and since recovery is an option when purchasin' this kit, me bucko, I don't consider this a modification t' t' kit. Arrr! I took two eye-hooks with machine threadin' and a coupler t' hook through a 2.6" bulkhead (originally purchased from Missile Works). Avast! I placed it 4 feet up on t' recovery line and tied t' remainin' 12 feet t' t' top side.

T' out-board pods are then attached and are offset from the main body tube by usin' a 3/8" wide, 1/16" thick piece o' balsa cut t' same length as t' out-board pod. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' instructions suggest that this could be shaped t' fit perfectly against t' out-board pod by wrapping sandpaper around it and rubbin' t' flat edge against t' sandpaper. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! Blimey! I didn't do this. Aye aye! After t' balsa strip is attached t' then t' out-boards are attached to t' main body. Aye aye! I tried fillin' me gap with wood glue which made a lot of bubbles. Well, blow me down! Repeat application was needed t' get it t' look right. Avast! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Epoxy may have been better.

T' fin attachment was next. T' fins are TTWTTW because they attach through-the-wall into t' fin-tip tubes and also through-the-wall into t' main body t' t' motor mount. You need t' cut away t' tubin' material from t' fin slots. Avast! They are pre-cut lengthwise but require you t' cut the short widths t' complete t' task. Begad! T' fins are unique looking, shiver me timbers, but are still one piece and therefore alignment is nay an issue. Avast, me proud beauty! This is where I found another issue due t' Aardvark's last minute changes t' t' kit. Blimey! T' fin-tip tubes are now phenolic (that is a great thin' due t' t' expect abuse they will take on landings) and are thicker than cardboard tubes, me bucko, so t' outer fin tab did nay reach all t' way t' t' opposite inside wall. Aye aye! Ahoy! I remedied this by simply takin' t' strip o' phenolic material that I cut away when completing the fin slot cuts and glued it onto t' end o' t' fin tab. Ya scallywag! Perfect!

One o' t' final steps prior t' finishin' is decidin' what you want t' do for t' out-board motors. Well, blow me down! Aardvark provides 3 sets o' parts for makin' 18mm motor mounts. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! You can assemble them (you may want t' add your own motor hook) and glue them into t' out-boards. Avast! This will then allow you t' only use 18mm out-board motors. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! You can throw away t' 18mm tubes, arrr, glue in a provided 18-24mm centerin' rin' as a 24mm thrust rin' and only use 24mm motors for out-boards. Arrr! Begad! Or, you can get yourself an extra set o' 24mm thrust rings, glue them into t' out-boards, arrr, me hearties, build up t' 18mm mounts and have them as adaptors. Ahoy! I did t' latter as pictured here with one o' me 18mm adaptors (with a added motor hook) partially stickin' into t' out-board tube.

As I stated before, thar were several mistakes due to the last minute changes t' t' rocket's pod configuration. I'm highly confident that Aardvark has taken care o' this, arrr, but just in case you purchased a kit before it was corrected, shiver me timbers, here are t' details:

• In Step #2 and #3 thar be a contradiction. Arrr! Step #2 says to measure t' line t' 4", step #3 says 7". What I found is that one should mark it 1/2" from bottom o' tube, me bucko, ya bilge rat, then 4" from bottom o' tube. I think step #2 has these measurements from t' top. Begad! Aye aye!
• In step #6, you use up all t' 3/8" flat balsa stock (all except about 4 inches). Avast! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! But in step #7, you are supposed t' use some of this stock (or other that did nay come) t' make t' details on t' outside of t' out-board tubes. Blimey! Blimey! My guess be t' bag be supposed t' have 2 pieces.
• In step #9, t' fin tab does nay fit all t' way through the phenolic tube t' t' opposite side. Avast! I took t' pieces o' phenolic tube that were cut out from t' fin slots and glued them t' t' end o' t' fin tabs and then they fit perfectly.

As it is still too cold here in Vermont t' paint, I have not been able t' finish t' Triopsis. T' instructions provide a good description for finishin' and provides a set o' water-slide decals. Avast! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I'm looking forward t' paintin' this model up and will plan on utilizin' different colors to accent t' out-board and fin-tip tubes. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Stay tuned . . Avast! Blimey! . Ahoy! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey!

Well from t' picture below you can see I finished paintin' it. Begad! I added rail buttons (red ones). Begad! My finished weight was 29 ounces.

Overall, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 4 points. Avast! Arrr! I be pleased with t' quality o' t' parts, especially having phenolic for t' fin-tip tubes. T' beveled cuts add t' t' overall good looks of t' kit. Blimey! Aardvark's Keelhaul®©™® Shock Cord is great. I would have liked t' see (3) 24mm thrust rings tossed into t' kit just t' allow that third option (the one I took) without havin' to come up with your own rings. Aye aye! It is an over all nice looking, me bucko, futuristic, cluster kit. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! Once t' instructions are corrected and t' extra piece of detailin' balsa is added assembly will nay be too difficult for anyone with a mid-size under their belt.

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

I have t' commend Aardvark for a nice, futuristic lookin' kit. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! Cluster at that. But, I need t' point out what I feel are shortcomings that need t' be addressed for this t' be a solid kit.

Recommended motors. Avast! None noted in t' instructions. Avast! There is one warnin' that for t' first flight it should nay be flown in a cluster configuration. Avast, me proud beauty! I personally don't understand this request but maybe they are hopin' t' reduce t' risk o' anythin' goin' wrong on t' first flight. Blimey! I choose to fly it in a cluster mode.

Since thar were no recommended motor listin' I went to Aardvark's webpage and found a note from a beta tester that said he flew his on an F20-7 and 3 B6's. I didn't put me 18mm adaptors in, so I wanted 24mm out-boards. I chose t' F20-7 with 3 C11's figurin' an early ejection based on the beta testers information.

What I got was very different! But first.....

I was excited t' get t' Triopsis set up on a rail at my first "launch event" o' t' year. Aye aye! Ahoy! It looked great out thar and it was ready t' go with (4) MagnaLite wires dipped in MagnaLite pyrogen. Begad! I had the three (3) C11 ignitors held in place with t' provided Estes' plugs and had taped t' ignitor into t' AT EconoJet F20-7. I'm told that t' have success in clusterin' you need t' use t' same ignitors in all motors. Avast, me proud beauty! I'm also told you should use t' same motor types (i.e. Begad! White Lightning, shiver me timbers, Black Jack, me bucko, Black Power, etc.), but that was nay t' case here.

Count down commenced and all motors lit! Off t' rail she went, nay like a bullet but cleanly. Begad! Nay terribly high, shiver me timbers, me bucko, but very straight and stable. Ahoy! After apogee she nosed down and I counted.... Aye aye! one, two ..... Ahoy! I heard a couple o' t' Estes C11-7's pop ... Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! three, shiver me timbers, fo .... Aye aye! thump t' piston pushed everythin' out then pop t' parachute be open instantly! T' rocket jerked into descent position and came down a a pretty good rate (a touch fast to me).

Upon inspection t' late deployment and t' instantaneously opened parachute caused t' body tube to zipper. Blimey! What's interestin' is that it is zippered on both sides! One o' the fins is a bit cracked near an outer pod and has been loosened. Begad! I can fix that but I feel it is due t' t' extra weight o' t' outer pods out there. Avast, me proud beauty! Use a lot of epoxy when you build your fin joints!

Also noted upon inspection be t' ejection charge o' the outboards soiled t' outside o' t' main body tube. Arrr! I would suggest that this is packed with waddin' t' capture t' ejection gases and particles. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! It may not be necessary for motors with a 0 delay, but I image it still is.

I created a RockSim file based on me rockets weight and CG and flyin' experience. (Link is above). Blimey! Well, blow me down! From this you can probably identify good motor combinations. Ya scallywag! Aardvark tells me that they are now includin' motor selections based on "flyer's experience". That makes sense for cluster. Avast, me proud beauty! Aardvark should at least have a solid recommendation for first flight, single motor configuration.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY I would rate this kit 2 ½ points. I am pleased with t' stability and t' recovery system components (if purchased with t' kit). Begad! Arrr! I wouldn't be responsible if I didn't din' t' kit for no motor recommendations and it would be hard for me t' call it average because most kits have recommendations. Begad! Begad! Potentially a very experienced flier would have judged t' kits weight, me bucko, configuration, me bucko, me hearties, me bucko, drag, me hearties, etc. and did a better job selectin' that me. T' flight looked great (goin' up) and it was stable, so I feel Aardvark has a nice configuration here.

Overall, I would rate this kit 3 ½ points. Begad! Aye aye! It has a unique appeal t' it. Ahoy! Avast! There are nay many futuristic looking, mid-power, cluster rockets out there. T' components are quality and t' rocket it stable. I like t' beveled cuts on t' outboard tubes and t' unique fins. Avast! Aardvark has put together a nice lookin' bird here. Begad! Now all they need t' do is clean up t' instructions, matey, slightly, and give us some solid motor recommendations and they have a winner that is worth its price.