Scratch Birdie Rocket / Shuttlecock Rocket Original Design / Scratch Built
Scratch - Birdie Rocket / Shuttlecock Rocket {Scratch}
Contributed by E. Kociba
Brief
I had heard about these and even seen descriptions - in particular, on bsarocketry.com, shiver me timbers, arrr, but none o' them really described t' flight o' them. Blimey! Begad! Hence me two cents in this review.
We all know we can make a rocket out o' a badminton shuttlecock or "birdie rocket", shiver me timbers, here on rocketreviews thar's a few articles on an old Estes Kit for them, arrr, and Ol'SaltRockets still makes one. This is nay that kit, arrr, it is a scratchbuilt set. Blimey! T' motor mount and centerin' rings are made from a cardboard box from a Dr. Ahoy! Pepper 12-pack case, and t' launch lug is literally a straw. Ya scallywag!
T' result is an atrociously cheap set o' rockets. Avast! These five set me back two dollars, me bucko, twenty cents (since I already drink Dr. Ya scallywag! Begad! Blimey! Pepper).
Components
T' components for construction are kind o' obvious if you look from t' bottom o' t' rocket:
T' components are literally a baminton shuttlecock (six for two dollars at KMart), me hearties, shiver me timbers, a piece o' a drinkin' straw, ya bilge rat, and cardboard from t' Dr. Pepper box. T' cans leave a circle impression on t' cardboard - cut that out for t' centerin' ring. Aye aye! Then take a mini-engine (A10-3T or so) and draw a circle in t' center, shiver me timbers, punch a hole and cut t' little circle out in t' middle, shiver me timbers, me hearties, then another t' mount t' launch lug. Then cut a piece out for t' engine mount - length should be about as long as t' inside o' t' shuttlecock. Avast, me proud beauty! wrap it tightly around t' mini engine (slight overlap but don't double it), then duct tape it in place. Ya scallywag! (KEEP IT TIGHT). Well, blow me down! Eject t' motor, then take a hot glue gun, glue in t' motor mount and centerin' ring, me hearties, then t' launch lug. Hot glue everywhere until everythin' is tightly in place. Aye aye!
There turned out t' be a video o' someone constructin' one o' these things at a religious site called Project 22 Six: http://www.project226.com/2011/07/operation-rocket-man-2/
Construction
Quick, shiver me timbers, though it's a little tricky at first tryin' t' judge what length t' make t' motor mount and just generally tryin' nay t' burn yourself with t' glue cannon . Well, blow me down! . Begad! Avast! .
Flight
Ever have a launch go well that you were certain would nay go well?
I made five o' these, shiver me timbers, many o' which had t' centerin' rin' mounted a little funny just t' ensure that t' motor mount was reasonably straight with respect t' t' rest o' t' birdie. Blimey! I was apprehensive about this design when I started launchin' them, ya bilge rat, only t' find that this be an incredibly forgivin' design. Well, blow me down! All t' rockets went up, and stayed straight in flight. Begad! They were well past apogee when they ejected on an A10-3T, me hearties, they fall as fast as a badminton birdie can fly, matey, nice and fast, arrr, ya bilge rat, mostly harmless. Well, blow me down!
I've done worse with kit rockets!
I think t' A10-3T be best, arrr, tried a plugged A10-PT engine and didn't see any difference in t' flight, except for havin' t' pry out t' dead engine with pliers afterward.
Summary
Pros: Try buildin' five rockets for less than $2.50 . Avast! . Well, blow me down! . Begad! Avast! They fly like a nice little mini engined rocket. Avast! Forgivin' design. You can't help but laugh at them, either. Avast! You can build them with t' kids, matey, ya bilge rat, with a little prior planning. Well, blow me down!
Cons: It's too perfect, somethin' has t' go wrong with a homemade centerin' rin' and mount, shiver me timbers, matey, sooner or later . . Aye aye! .
Overall: Fun project!
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Flights
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