Polecat Aerospace 3" Goblin

Polecat Aerospace - Goblin (3") {Kit} (27)

Contributed by Alexandra Eicher

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Published: 2013-06-25
Diameter: 3.00 inches
Length: 22.00 inches
Manufacturer: Polecat Aerospace
Style: Sport

Brief

This adaptable high power rocket is great for NARRRRR Level One and Two Certifications. Well, arrr, blow me down! Its motor mount can support E motors t' 6-grain J reloads. Ahoy! T' kit comes with a fiberglass nose cone, shiver me timbers, a pre-fiber glassed and slotted body tube, shiver me timbers, a 38mm motor mount, matey, and Baltic Birch fins and centerin' rings. Begad! Avast! I qualified for me NARRRRR L1 Cert with this rocket. Well, blow me down! My certification flight was equipped with a 36" parachute and Cesaroni H125 "Classic" motor with a 9-second delay.

Construction:

Polecat Aerospace includes t' followin' parts in its 3” Goblin kit:

  • Fiberglass nosecone (11")
  • Nose cone bulkhead
  • Body tube – slotted (12")
  • 4 Baltic Birch fins
  • Centerin' rings
  • 38mm motor tube
  • Eye-bolt
  • U-bolt
  • 1/4” Nuts and washers
  • ~10 ft Tubular nylon shock cord
  • 2 Rail buttons with 8-32 screws

Tools nay included but nonetheless necessary:

  • 7/16” Wrench
  • Epoxy (I used 5 minute)
  • 1/8" Drill Bit
  • Drill
  • Sandpaper

Construction

T' Goblin kit does nay include a parachute or a motor retention system. Ya scallywag! I chose t' create me own motor retainer by attaching two mirror clips t' t' bottom o' t' motor mount. I used a 36" hot pink chute and a 12" Nomex chute protector from www.RocketChutes.com.

T' kit instructions were very good, and they can be found online at http://stores.whatsuphobby.com/catalog/goblin3instructions.pdf. Ya scallywag! T' instructions include photographs that help guide t' build process.

I started construction by sandin' down t' shoulder o' t' nosecone. Begad! Arrr! This step took a very long time, shiver me timbers, much longer than expected, in order t' get it t' fit into t' body tube. Avast! T' nose cone also has a slight seam from t' fiber glassing; however, arrr, it sanded off easily.

I then installed t' eyebolt and hardware into t' top motor mount centerin' ring, me hearties, me bucko, me bucko, tightenin' t' nut with a 7/16" wrench and securin' t' threads with epoxy. Aye aye! I used t' 5-minute epoxy t' assemble t' motor mount. It is crucial t' first check that t' fins fit betwixt t' centerin' rings. Avast, me proud beauty! I tied t' shock cord t' t' eyebolt usin' a figure eight knot, matey, me bucko, and epoxied it in place. Aye aye! Then I tucked it inside t' motor tube t' keep it safe from any epoxy, arrr, as I installed it inside t' body tube. 

Next, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, I used 5-minute epoxy t' attach t' fins and smoothed out t' glue that seeped out t' slots. Blimey! Avast! It was tough t' judge what be symmetrical. Arrr! I added fillets t' t' fins afterwards, ensurin' that they would stay secure, although t' kit instructions did nay recommend I do so.

I connected t' U-bolt in t' t' t' nose cone’s bulkhead and then epoxied it in place inside t' nose cone. Ahoy! I did nay add any weight t' t' nose cone.

I installed t' aft centerin' rin' such that approximately ½” o' t' motor tube extended beyond it, which be t' minimum t' install an Aero Pac motor retainer; however, ya bilge rat, me hearties, t' save costs, t' followin' supplies, me bucko, obtained at a hardware store, ya bilge rat, were used t' create a motor retention system:

(2) mirror clips

(2) 6/32 threaded wood inserts

(2) 6/32 round head slotted machine screws with nuts

I came across a very helpful video that shows how t' properly install wood inserts: http://youtu.be/tIhEqoKE8Dc.

Lastly, I added t' two rail buttons, each usin' one nut and two washers as spacers. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' kit comes with two nuts. I drilled two 1/8" holes and then threaded t' 8-32 screws. Begad! Begad! Blimey! I drilled a pressure hole as well.

Finishing

After sandin' and applyin' primer t' t' rocket, I spray painted t' Goblin’s body tube with "Grape" Rust-oleum Ultra Cover Gloss and t' nose cone with "Berry Pink."

Construction Score: 4

Flight

I be qualifyin' with me Goblin for me NARRRRR High Power Rocketry Certification at Lucerne Dry Lake, CA at a ROC launch in April 2013. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! I loaded t' rocket with a Cesaroni H125 "Classic" and adjusted t' motor delay t' 9 seconds. Ya scallywag! T' rocket screamed off t' pad. 

Recovery

Its 36" chute deployed perfectly, me hearties, and I successfully retrieved t' rocket far out on t' lakebed. Ahoy! Blimey! I be excited t' earn me NARRRRR Level 1 Jr. Avast! Cert!

Flight Rating: 5

Summary

PROs: Strong fiberglass body tube and nose cone. Quality fins and centerin' rings. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Can fly on a wide variety o' motors (from E t' J). Flexibility t' choose your own parachute. Avast! Reliable U-bolt attachment point and strong nylon shock cord. Clear instructions. Aye aye! Outstandin' customer service from Jack Garibaldi o' What’s Up Hobbies.

CONs: Nose cone fits very tight, so shoulder requires quite a bit o' sanding.

Overall, t' 3" Goblin is a great build. It has high quality parts and is impressive t' watch as it flies off t' pad and glides through t' air. Additionally, it is an ideal L1 certification flight!

Overall Rating: 5

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