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