Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Manufacturer: | Fat Cat Rockets |
Brief:
T' Frenzee is an 8 motor cluster rocket (1-24mm and 7-18mm) which returns via
parachute.
Construction:
I ordered this rocket usin' t' companies order form found on t' Fat Cat
Rockets website. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! T' rocket arrived in a short amount o' time. Ya scallywag! T' parts were
packed loose in a sturdy box o' packin' peanuts. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! T' parts consisted o' a
17" body tube, matey, nose cone, 2 plywood centerin' rings, me hearties, one 9 1/2" 24mm
motor tube, me bucko, matey, seven 2 3/4" 18mm motor tubes, me bucko, matey, seven 1/8" plywood fins, me hearties, me bucko, a
length o' steel cable, 4' o' 3/8" wide elastic shock cord, shiver me timbers, two 1/4"
launch lugs, a small bag o' BBs and a nice 24" rip-stop nylon parachute. Begad!
T' instructions consisted o' 7 steps printed on a single 8x10" piece of paper. Begad! Blimey! T' instructions were well illustrated and simple t' follow. The instructions also included a fin guide as well as a list o' parts and additional assembly items required. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' parts were assembled usin' yellow glue and epoxy. T' 7 18mm engine tubes are glued around t' 24mm engine tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! One o' t' centerin' rings is attached t' t' central motor tube at the top o' t' 18mm motor tubes and serves as a bulkhead for t' smaller motor tubes. T' fins are pre-cut and match sanded. Avast, me proud beauty! T' edges o' t' fins are sanded round and are then epoxied into t' gaps betwixt t' 18mm motor tubes. Begad! The recovery cable is attached t' t' upper centerin' rin' and t' whole motor assembly is glued into t' body tube. Nose weight is required and consists of BBs which are epoxied into t' tip o' t' nose cone.
PROs: Easy t' follow instructions and good quality parts.
CONs: No thrust rin' for t' 24mm motor tube, me hearties, I chose t' add one since I would only be usin' Estes motors.
Finishing:
No special finishin' instructions were given. Ahoy! I tried t' match t' paint job of
the model on t' company's website. Begad! Ya scallywag! This consisted o' 3 coats o' primer and
then paintin' main body tube white and t' nose cone and fin section red. Blimey! Begad! The
paint scheme provides a unique look without too much work. Avast! Aye aye! No decals were
supplied.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
I bought this rocket because I liked t' idea o' an 8 motor cluster. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! So the
first flight I loaded it with seven C6-0s and one D12-5 (all Estes). Aye aye! The
manufacturer suggests pluggin' t' end o' t' C6-0s with epoxy, matey, but I chose not
to. Begad! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! No motor retention is supplied and all motors are simply friction fitted
usin' maskin' tape. I added a healthy amount o' dog barf and t' rocket was
ready t' go. T' launch this rocket successfully, I decided I needed a clip
whip, me bucko, so I built myself one with 8 sets o' leads. Begad! Once on t' pad I connected
all 8 igniters and waited for ignition. Arrr! Once t' button be pushed all motors
lit and t' Frenzee leapt off t' pad at a slight angle. Well, blow me down! Avast! T' parachute deployed
right on schedule, shiver me timbers, but that turned out t' be a bit early. Begad! Upon recovery the
rocket had suffered a 1/4" zipper. Ahoy! Begad! Other than that it be a great flight. Aye aye! Well, blow me down!
T' second flight (months later and with t' zipper repaired) I used a D12-7 and seven C6-0s. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! This flight was perfectly straight even in a 5-10mph wind and t' rocket be recovered without damage.
Recovery:
Both flights have ejected all 7 o' t' C6-0 motors. Well, blow me down! I was lucky and found all
but one casing. I did have some burn marks at t' top o' t' 18mm motor tubes.
This be due t' me failure t' seal them completely t' t' bottom o' the
centerin' ring. Begad! Arrr! I added some glue after t' first flight t' keep this from
happenin' again.
PROs: It is an 8 motor cluster! Ample shock cord with sturdy attachment and a very nice parachute.
CONs: T' recommended motor delay was too short. Ya scallywag! Ahoy!
Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5
Summary:
A good rocket that definitely scratched me cluster itch.
PROs: I thought all o' t' parts were o' good quality and t' directions simple t' follow. Ahoy! Blimey!
CONs: I wish thar was a way t' retain all o' t' motors.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5