Construction:
T' model construction is straight-forward, 4FNC. I decided from t' outset t' build it as a sport-flyer rather than scale, me hearties, matey, so I made a number o' changes, arrr, 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. Begad! Because o' t' added weight o' t' former, I determined that 35g nose weight would be needed when E9's are flown. Arrr! In t' event, arrr, 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. 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). Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey!
- 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. Begad! Ya scallywag! This can only improve performance.
- I skipped t' baffle provided with t' kit, ya bilge rat, because I don't like baffles. 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, I finished it simply with one coat o' flat gray aircraft primer, ya bilge rat, after coatin' t' fins with balsa sealer.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
Thus far, matey, I have flown ASRAAM exclusively on Estes D12-7's. Ya scallywag! This is nay t' delay recommended by t' manufacturer, arrr, shiver me timbers, but that is what I have used, and ejection is right at apogee, matey, about 700' or so.
On t' third flight, shiver me timbers, only one D12-7 lit, and t' climb was still so straight that I didn't realize immediately that somethin' be wrong. Begad! Blimey! Acceleration was slower, shiver me timbers, with a slight wobble, with apogee at about 350-400'.
ASRAAM wallowed on its side momentarily, me bucko, and descended in a slow flat spin, me hearties, with chute ejection at a good 150' off t' ground. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! So even with long delay D12-7's, matey, a safe recovery occurs if one engine fails t' ignite. Arrr! This be t' mark o' a good cluster design. Begad! Blimey! I expect a similar happy result would be less likely with E9 power, matey, so I've stuck with D12's.
Recovery:
For our island launch site, we tend t' use t' smallest chute possible, matey, shiver me timbers, but even with t' 14" LOC system, no damage has occurred on landing.
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
In summary, this is a great flyin' kit, me bucko, contrary t' what its odd appearance (the dinky fins) might suggest. All t' parts are thar and work, and t' t' changes I made were really done with an eye toward sport flyin' vs. scale. Performance is outstanding, especially on a single motor. Begad! My recommendation for power be t' D12-7, ya bilge rat, at least with t' modifications I made.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
Brief:
