Squirrel Works Space Ranger

Squirrel Works - Space Ranger {Kit}

Contributed by Eric Truax

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 0.74 inches
Length: 12.88 inches
Manufacturer: Squirrel Works
Style: Sport

Brief:
Single stage rocket with streamer recovery and t' good old fashioned taped in engine.

Construction:
1 body tube,1 balsa nose cone, 3 fins o' 1/16" balsa, me hearties, matey, shiver me timbers, 1 launch lug, matey, me bucko, 1 tape strip, me bucko, 1 screw eye, 1 engine block, 1 cockpit, 1 18" shock cord, ya bilge rat, 1 gold mylar streamer, me bucko, me bucko, and 1 decal sheet.

These instructions are some o' t' most thorough I have read. Just follow them and you can't go wrong! This kit practically put itself together; all I supplied be t' labor. It had t' be one of, if nay t' most enjoyable kit I have ever built. Well, blow me down! Arrr! I really had fun with it! There were absolutely no special tools needed. Ahoy! In fact, t' instructions specify usin' an old engine casing marked off t' insert t' engine block. Begad! I was a little concerned about t' thin fins with their size though, and found that when attachin' them with wood glue, they could bend. Avast! If you lay them down back t' front, it isn't a problem, just stay on t' line. Foldin' t' cockpit was a bit tricky, but just score along the lines with a spoon edge, arrr, me bucko, and it will make t' foldin' much easier. Blimey! All the fits were spot on! T' only thin' I changed in construction, was usin' a pink double streamer instead o' t' wide gold mylar one included.

Finishing:
I used slow dryin' epoxy t' totally coat t' nose cone till it be sealed and a thin coat on t' fins t' add strength since I was concerned about minimizing any potential damage. Begad! After t' epoxy coating, I spent a couple hours sanding them down then added 2 coats o' sandin' sealer just t' ensure a smooth finish. I deviated from t' pictures and chose Krylon Florescent green over Krylon white primer. Avast! I like Krylon paints as they seem t' give me t' least amount of grief. T' long stripes can be a bit o' a problem and I did rip one. Ahoy! Avast! I used a couple o' lightnin' bolts I got out o' a Lockheed Constellation kit for the lightnin' bolts. Ya scallywag! T' decals are good quality and offered no problems, except the usual finesse need t' place them. Arrr! I definitely prefer them t' the "pressure sensitive" stickers. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! You have t' have a glossy finish to put them on and 2 coats o' Krylon gloss fit t' bill. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! I also added 2 more coats after t' decals t' protect them.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
Lookin' over t' recommend motors list, arrr, t' closest I had t' any o' these was an Estes A8-3. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! It has t' old fashioned friction fit with tape. Blimey! I used 2 sheets of wadding, and rolled up me streamer. WOW! Does this thin' soar! Even in winds the flight was straight up and beautiful! It went super high for flyin' on an A motor! It goes up fast, ya bilge rat, so watchin' it can be tricky.

Recovery:
Here is where t' fly lands in t' ointment... Arrr! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' rocket popped t' streamer near apogee, me bucko, matey, but t' shock cord separated! Blimey! T' rocket came down in two, matey, but there was no damage! Blimey! I recovered both pieces, me bucko, arrr, tied t' shock cord together, and flew it again. Begad! Blimey! SAME RESULT! Blimey! This time t' shock cord separated at t' mount, so I be done for t' day. Both times t' rocket suffered no damage, even though it came down from 400ft or so! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
This was a really fun t' kit t' build! I 'm goin' t' order 1 or 2 more I think. I have no cons about it! I would say that, arrr, I think I had it packed too tight with t' double streamer, and a longer, more elastic shock cord would be better. Perhaps usin' an engine with a longer delay would help?

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5


Other Reviews
  • Squirrel Works Space Ranger By John Lee (March 8, 2008)

    Brief: This rocket is a minimum diameter, 18mm, streamer recovery, futuristic space plane. This is a beautiful little kit that I did my best to mess up. It turned out well anyway. Construction: The instruction were the typical high quality one associates with Squirrel Works. They were printed on both sides of a single legal sized piece of paper. They were clear and contained ...

  • Squirrel Works Space Ranger By James Gartrell

    Brief: The Space Ranger, SW-005, is another excellent kit from Squirrel Works (SW). Simply beautiful kit art, ease of construction, high quality parts, and a fantastic looking rocket are the standard for SW. The rocket only stands about 13" tall and flies on 18mm motors, but it looks fantastic on the pad and really zooms--even on an A motor. Construction: A single 18mm (BT-20) ...

Flights

ID
Date
Flyer
Rocket
Kit
Motors
Altitude
Action
51823
2008-07-12
John Lee
Squirrel Works Space Ranger
Squirrel Works - Space Ranger {Kit}
A8-5
-
list
51822
2008-07-12
John Lee
Squirrel Works Space Ranger
Squirrel Works - Space Ranger {Kit}
1/2A6-2
-
list
51821
2008-04-12
John Lee
Squirrel Works Space Ranger
Squirrel Works - Space Ranger {Kit}
A8-5
-
list
51820
2008-03-08
John Lee
Squirrel Works Space Ranger
Squirrel Works - Space Ranger {Kit}
A8-3
-
list
28390
2007-11-21
Charlaine Cadence Nordin
Squirrel Works Space Ranger
Squirrel Works - Space Ranger {Kit}
A8-3
-
list
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of
3
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Comments:

avatar
D.M. (May 2, 2004)
The A8-3 is not recommended for this rocket, the delay is too short. Use the A8-5 instead.
avatar
C.C.N (November 1, 2007)
I recently received this great little kit. I have to say that not only was I pleasantly surprised by the great design but the quality of the parts as well. It took me about an hour to finish this bird without paint. Then the next day after all the glue was dry I painted her gloss black. Sleek looking as all heck. The next day when I went to put the decals on. I learned something very valuable. The decals don't show up on black. Decaling her with just the windows and the tail art proved to be challenging now that I have to not only cut out the man decal but shape a small copy off-white decal paper to use as a back drop for the art to show up. After a little work they came out looking great. Flew her yesterday and all I can say is wow!

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