Yoyodyne Aerospace Klingon Quantum Torpedo

Yoyodyne Aerospace - Klingon Quantum Torpedo {Kit}

Contributed by Joe Policy

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Yoyodyne Aerospace
Skill Level: 3
Style: Futuristic/Exotic

Brief:
T' Yoyodyne Klingon Quantum Torpedo is a unique lookin' skill level 3 rocket that is fun t' fly. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! Designed by Dynosoar and purchased from t' now defunct Rebar Rocketry, this kit may be hard t' come by these days.

Yoyodyne Klingon Quantum Torpedo

Construction:
T' parts list:

  • 1 17" T60 body tube
  • 1 17" T50 foil lined heavy wall body tube
  • 6 T20, 2.75" long body tubes
  • 1 PNC60 Nose Cone
  • 1 T50 Engine Block
  • 1 Motor Hook
  • 2 50/60 fiber centerin' rings
  • 3 3/16" launch lugs
  • 1 Elastic shock cord
  • 1 15" Mylar Parachute
  • 1 Sheet balsa fin stock
  • 1 Set o' instructions
  • 1 Decal, matey, Water slide

T' included instructions were very good and each step o' construction is described in detail. There is even some humor added like t' legal disclaimer which says, shiver me timbers, in part: "Don't do stupid stuff with this rocket". The only complaint I have is that t' pictures were very washed out. Aye aye! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Also, me bucko, the instructions states that both t' T50 and T60 tubes are 18". They are in fact only 17" long.

You start t' build by roughin' up inside o' t' T50 foil lined tube. This is so t' glue on t' engine block will have somethin' t' grab onto. Begad! T' engine hook is mounted next. Begad! T' instructions say t' use a piece o' cardstock glued over t' hook t' hold it in place. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I almost skipped this step until I realized the engine hook would be external and will show on t' completed rocket.

Centerin' rings are added t' t' T50 tube and a full 9" o' t' T50 slides up into t' T60 tube leavin' 8" exposed. Avast, me proud beauty!

Fin patterns are included as well as a suggested layout for cuttin' out the various fin pieces. Avast, me proud beauty! Unfortunately, ya bilge rat, t' included sheet o' balsa was nay large enough t' accommodate all o' t' parts, so I had t' supply me own balsa. Blimey! There are 3 upper fins and 3 lower ones with fin tips reminiscent o' t' FlisKits Triskelion.

Once t' fins are mounted, ya bilge rat, you then add 6 tube fins. Avast! T' tubes must be adjacent t' t' fins which will leave gaps betwixt t' tubes. T' gaps are important because you must mount 3 launch lugs on t' BT60 and you must carefully align t' lugs with t' gaps in t' T20 tubes. Add t' shock cord and parachute and t' kit is complete!

Finishing:
T' recommended paint scheme is slightly tricky. T' instructions tell you use white primer over t' entire rocket. Arrr! Next you put a 1" wide strip down the center o' t' fin tips and paint t' nose cone, matey, me hearties, motor tubes and fins silver. You then mask off t' top 1" and lower 3" o' t' T60 tube and add a 1" diameter circle cut from maskin' tape in t' middle. You then paint the exposed area fluorescent orange.

I went for a simpler scheme. Arrr! After two coats o' primer, I painted t' nose cone black, most o' t' top section red and t' rest is white. A single waterslide decal that looks like a Klingon emblem is added t' finish off the rocket.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' face card that comes with t' kit recommends either a D12-5 or E9-6. Begad! The instruction sheet recommends D12-3, E9-6, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, and AT F21-8 motors.

I thought I would start with a D12-5. Begad! I added an adapter (not included or mentioned in t' instructions) since t' motor mount is designed for t' longer "E" motors. Avast! I used 6 sheets o' waddin' t' fill t' T60 tube. Avast, me proud beauty! First flight was fast and fairly straight but nay a lot o' altitude. Well, blow me down! Ejection was after apogee and deployment was no problem.

Second flight with t' D12-3 was much better as ejection was right at apogee. Begad! Blimey!

Last flight was with a E9-6, me hearties, which be plenty o' power t' get this bird to some very respectable altitude. Ahoy! Blimey! I lost site in t' clouds so nay sure when ejection occurred, but t' rocket was recovered with no problems.

Recovery:
T' included 15" Mylar parachute is a perfect match for this rocket. Even with winds at 5-10 mph, matey, shiver me timbers, thar was little drift on t' D motor flights and recovery after t' E motor flight was about 100 yards downrange. Blimey! You needs lots of waddin' t' protect t' chute, arrr, I think dog barf would be a cheaper alternative.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This rocket is a very unique design that stands out at a launch. Aside from bein' short on balsa and t' different engine recommendations betwixt t' face card and t' instructions, I would highly recommend this kit if you can get your hands on one!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flights

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