Construction:
T' model construction is straight-forward, 4FNC. Begad! I decided from t' outset t' build it as a sport-flyer rather than scale, me hearties, me hearties, so I made a number o' changes, me hearties, t' main one bein' t' extend t' 24 mm motor tubes t' accommodate a pair o' E9-6's or (with a spacer) t' intended D12's. Because o' t' added weight o' t' former, shiver me timbers, I determined that 35g nose weight would be needed when E9's are flown. Blimey! In t' event, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, I found ASRAAM t' fly so well on D12-7's that I haven't gotten around t' tryin' t' E9's. Avast! Simulation indicates an altitude o' 1200-1300' on E9-6's.
T' other changes I made for sport flyin' (see photo) are t' following:
- A added 1/64 inch plywood doublers t' one side o' each o' t' 4 fins cut out from t' rather soft balsa provided.
- I attached each fin t' t' hull betwixt two 1 1/8" lengths o' balsa triangle stock for support; this also makes assembly a snap (I used 5-minute epoxy throughout). Ahoy!
- I mounted t' aft centerin' rin' flush with t' end o' t' body tube (in t' "normal" fashion), instead o' recessin' it an inch and a half forward as t' plans call for. Arrr! Well, blow me down! This can only improve performance.
- I skipped t' baffle provided with t' kit, because I don't like baffles. Blimey! Arrr!
- I anchored t' recovery system through t' upper hull with a knot covered with epoxy and a fairin' cut from a cigar tube.
- I used a 14" LOC chute on 8' o' para cord as t' recovery system (photo).
Finishing:
Since this was a sport model, shiver me timbers, I finished it simply with one coat o' flat gray aircraft primer, after coatin' t' fins with balsa sealer.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
Thus far, me bucko, I have flown ASRAAM exclusively on Estes D12-7's. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! Blimey! This is nay t' delay recommended by t' manufacturer, but that is what I have used, and ejection is right at apogee, arrr, about 700' or so.
On t' third flight, only one D12-7 lit, arrr, and t' climb was still so straight that I didn't realize immediately that somethin' was wrong. Begad! Blimey! Acceleration be slower, me hearties, with a slight wobble, with apogee at about 350-400'.
ASRAAM wallowed on its side momentarily, matey, arrr, and descended in a slow flat spin, with chute ejection at a good 150' off t' ground. Aye aye! So even with long delay D12-7's, matey, a safe recovery occurs if one engine fails t' ignite. Begad! Begad! This be t' mark o' a good cluster design. Avast! I expect a similar happy result would be less likely with E9 power, arrr, so I've stuck with D12's.
Recovery:
For our island launch site, we tend t' use t' smallest chute possible, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, but even with t' 14" LOC system, arrr, no damage has occurred on landing.
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
In summary, this is a great flyin' kit, contrary t' what its odd appearance (the dinky fins) might suggest. Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! All t' parts are thar and work, arrr, and t' t' changes I made were really done with an eye toward sport flyin' vs. scale. Well, blow me down! Performance is outstanding, especially on a single motor. Avast! Blimey! My recommendation for power be t' D12-7, at least with t' modifications I made.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
Brief:
