Aerospace Speciality Products WAC Corporal (38mm)

Aerospace Specialty Products - WAC Corporal (38mm) {Kit} (KWAC-38)

Contributed by Bob Tee

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 2.65 inches
Length: 43.00 inches
Manufacturer: Aerospace Specialty Products
Skill Level: 2
Style: Scale

Brief:
T' WAC Corporal be t' United States first soundin' rocket. Blimey! It is a single stage kit with parachute deployment via motor ejection. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! Designed t' mostly fly on 29mm power but you can fly it on t' larger 38mm motors if you have t' recovery room. Arrr! Well, blow me down! I built it slightly different from t' instructions at a few places. I wanted t' "beef-up" a few things I felt needed it. I laminated Keelhaul®©™ onto t' nosecone. Begad! Blimey! I did nay use t' balsa laminations provided. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Instead I put fiberglass on t' fins. Arrr! Blimey! I also did nay assemble and apply t' "conduit" that runs on a side o' t' airframe. Arrr! This is only for scale appearance and I elected t' save some time by nay usin' it.

Construction:
1 Kraft Airframe Tube
1 38mm Motor Tube
1 29mm Motor Tube
1 Engine Adapter Tube
3 Plywood Fins
2 Plywood Centerin' Rings
6 Balsa Fin Laminations
1 Balsa Nosecone
1 Tube Coupler
1 Plywood Bulkhead
1 Eyebolt
1 Balsa Boattail
1 Elastic Shock Cord
1 Wire Cable
2 Launch Lugs
1 Parachute

Pros: Very explicit instructions that detailed every step. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! Numerous helpful illustrations. Avast! Well, blow me down! A fin slot markin' template was supplied. Instructions even give you hints and tips on adhesives. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Also given is a complete list o' tools and supplies you will need t' build it as directed. Blimey! Pieces fit snuggly with very little modification necessary.

Cons: T' balsa nosecone and boattail! These are just nay suited for larger models. Well, blow me down! They damage easily. Begad! Plastic ones would have been a better choice.

Finishing:
I did nay finish t' model as per t' instructions. I opted t' try me hand at usin' Monokote for t' finish. Avast, me proud beauty! I covered t' airframe with Monokote usin' an iron and heat gun. Avast, me proud beauty! It went on very well and produced a nice glossy finish. I covered t' fins with a self-adhesive Monokote. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! I spray painted t' nosecone and boattail. Overall t' model looks great!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I have flown this model 4 times. Flies very nice with t' recommended 29mm F & G motors usin' t' supplied 29/38 adapter. Nice straight flights with ejection near or at apogee. I installed 2 wood inserts into t' boattail with epoxy and use a piece o' wire across t' screws over t' end o' t' motor (not over t' nozzle) for retention. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' model reaches about 800' on t' F motors, me hearties, and around 1200' on G motors.

Recovery:
Deployment was always near or at apogee. Ahoy! Descent speed be adequate and even with a moderate breeze it never landed more than 300 feet from t' pad. Post flight inspection has revealed no problems or damage.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
PRO: A very nice intermediate kit t' build. Ya scallywag! Went together easily. Begad! VERY nice instructions!

CON: T' balsa pieces, me bucko, namely t' nosecone and boattail. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Easily damaged if nothin' done t' reinforce them.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flights

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