(Contributed- by Dick Stafford - 06/15/03)

Brief:
This rocket was based on a free paper model kit from Delta 7 Studios. Arrr! Well, arrr, blow me down! I converted it t' fly on MMX motors, matey, although t' model is large enough for up t' 18mm motors. Aye aye! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! O' course, t' larger motors may require additional reinforcement that wasn't required in me MMX version.

Modifications:
Once t' paper model be complete, I proceeded with its conversion t' a flyin' model. Since I wanted t' use it for MicroMaxx, I wanted t' keep t' added components t' a minimum. Aye aye! If you wanted t' use larger motors, more effort would be in order.

T' motor mount is a piece o' 7mm (T-2+) tubin' from Totally Tubular, me bucko, and two hand-cut card stock rings. Arrr! Scrap card stock was rolled and used as a motor block. Avast! Begad! I used a piece o' a BiC pen's ink tube for t' launch lugs. Well, blow me down! One is near t' center o' t' model and t' other is on t' side o' a fin. I attached these with Liquid Nails. Avast, me proud beauty! I had wanted a piece o' clear tubin' for t' nose cone shoulder t' keep t' base o' t' capsule visible but I didn't find any, me bucko, so I used a piece o' an Estes 18mm motor spacer tube instead. I elected t' glue t' tower on, matey, and added a small dowel t' stiffen it.

I pondered a full recovery system - shock cord connectin' t' cone t' t' body, streamer, etc. Avast! However, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, I decided that this wasn't necessary for low flights on soft-grass. Avast! Begad! T' save me Keelhaul®©™, matey, I decided t' let t' body tumble and t' add a small streamer t' t' cone so I wouldn't lose it in t' grass. Blimey! T' streamer is tied t' a short leader o' Keelhaul®©™that is epoxied t' t' inside o' t' shoulder.

T' CG o' t' model with a MMX-II installed is 6.75" from t' top o' t' escape tower (ignorin' t' tiny tip).

Construction:
T' kit includes:

• One sheet o' white cardstock
• 7mm tubin' ~ 1.5" long
• Hand-cut cardboard centerin' rings
• 1" piece o' an Estes engine spacer tube
• 1" o' 1/16" dowel
• Piece o' a BiC pen's ink tube
• 4" o' Keelhaul®©™ twine
• 12" section o' plastic markin' tape

T' parts and instructions each come in a .pdf file. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! T' model includes 19 parts, which you print on a single 8"x 11" sheet o' cardstock. Begad! Well, blow me down! T' photo-illustrated instructions are three pages long. These are well detailed and are more than adequate for this relatively simple model.

Construction o' t' booster is straightforward. T' body consists o' two wraps that are formed into cylinders and connected together with a coupler. Arrr! T' body is almost exactly BT-20 sized. T' fins are each cutout and folded over onto itself so both sides have a printed surfaces. Begad! T' Mercury capsule, with eight parts, me bucko, is a little more challenging, but is also easy t' construct. Well, blow me down! T' final component be t' tower, which has four parts. Begad! Blimey! I built t' base paper model entirely with white glue.

I printed t' model on cardstock on me OfficeJet and gave it a clear coat for protection.

Flight:
I added small piece o' tape t' t' motor t' keep it in at ejection. Begad! You may notice that I didn't add an inside tube or protect t' cardstock from t' motor ejection. Well, blow me down! I packed some cellulose waddin' into t' tube, arrr, rolled t' streamer and gave it a try. Avast! Begad! Evidently, shiver me timbers, this waddin' and t' spacin' betwixt t' motor and t' body was enough t' protect t' card stock body.

I flew this three times so far. Begad! Ahoy! On t' first flight, matey, I found that I needed t' lower lug. Aye aye! T' rocket arced over and ejected down range. Ya scallywag! Begad! I added t' lug and t' next two flights were picture perfect. For such a large model, I was surprised how high it went. Well, blow me down! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! T' capsule be easy t' find and t' body tumbled without goin' 'ballistic'. Aye aye! My cheap recovery method was OK after all.

Summary:
This is a great looking, simple scale model that would be an excellent introduction t' paper model conversion. Begad! It flew great on MMX-II motors and should adaptable t' 13mm or even 18mm motors. Ya scallywag! If you look around t' Delta 7 Studios' site, you will find someone has in fact done so.