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