AAA Model Aviation Fuels Quadra G

AAA Model Aviation Fuels - Quadra G {Kit}

Contributed by Moira Jean Whitlock

Diameter: 3.10 inches
Manufacturer: AAA Model Aviation Fuels
Rating
(Contributed - by Moira Jean Whitlock)

Rocket PicBrief:
This is a single staged rocket that can be flown on either 2 or 4 29mm motors.

Construction:
T' main body tube runs from t' top o' t' motor tubes t' t' nose cone. Well, blow me down! There is one body tube and four motor tubes that extend outward from t' main body. Blimey!

This rocket has a very clever fin alignment system. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! T' 4 fins are made from two wing-like pieces o' wood that interlock in t' middle t' form 4 perpendicular fins. Then t' 4 motor tubes fit over this structure and are epoxied in place. Ya scallywag! I used 12 minute epoxy.

T' instructions are pretty clear and simple. Begad! Aye aye! All t' parts were thar and were well made. T' fins weren't even rough. Begad! But they did need a little beveling. Ahoy! I did this with a finishin' sander. Blimey! T' wood appears t' be 1/8 inch thick birch.

About t' hardest thin' t' align be t' motor tubes inside t' main frame. They extend out 20 plus inches from t' main body tube. Begad! Ya scallywag! It seemed easy t' get them cock-eyed, matey, arrr, so I sight aligned them while t' epoxy holdin' them dried. Blimey! A centerin' rin' further reinforces their connection and placement inside the body tube. Begad! Two beveled launch lugs are supplied that take as big as me 3/8 inch rod. Avast, me proud beauty!

T' recovery system is another clever design. Ahoy! It is a coupler and bulkhead with holes in it like a baffle. Arrr! Ya scallywag! A screweye anchors t' round nylon shock cord. T' chute was supplied, ya bilge rat, and is a thin nylon, bright yellow 24 incher.

Finishing:
I spray painted it gold and decorated it with metallic prismatic paper. Aye aye! There is a Quadra G decal lettering, arrr, ya bilge rat, so I applied t' letters. Arrr! I only got t' word, "Quad" and nay "Quadra" but I figured that it be okay. Ya scallywag! I was goin' t' call t' flight "Clusterophobia" instead anyway. Begad! The result is strikin' and unique. T' four extended motor tubes make it look unusual.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Rocket PicFlight:
T' company suggests usin' motors with low average thrust and long delays. Ahoy! So, my first flight was with 2 G35-7W's and 2 G40-7W's. Well, blow me down! T' like motors were diagonally arranged. Ahoy! Aye aye! T' flight was straight and gorgeous. Arrr! Well, blow me down! There seemed t' be deployment just slightly before apogee, so I surmised that t' delay was too short. Well, me hearties, blow me down! T' nylon shock cord was stressed after this as well, so I replaced it with 10 feet o' 1000 lb. Aye aye! Keelhaul®©™® cording. Well, blow me down! Then I flew it twice on 4 G40-10W's. Everyone LOVED this. Blimey! Straight, high, arrr, ya bilge rat, and loud. It even made a club video memory. Avast! I did have t' walk a bit, but I think I caught a thermal.

Recovery:
Use 10 second delays with 4 motors. 7 is okay with 2, probably. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! I did notice that with t' baffle, me usual method o' spent motor removal with a rod is impossible. Ahoy! Begad! Pliers were needed. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! T' rocket is a little scratched, me bucko, but able to fly more. T' chute is unburnt as well. Avast!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Clever design, nay too bad a price. Ahoy! Aye aye! I remember payin' around $45 for it. Arrr! Begad! Great fun for us cluster-people. Well, blow me down! Nice and loud and fiery. Ahoy! I highly recommend it. Catchin' it on film with a long flame trail was really wonderful as well.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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