Fat Cat Rockets Ringleader

Fat Cat Rockets - Ringleader {Kit}

Contributed by Moira Jean Whitlock

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Fat Cat Rockets

Rocket PicBrief
A real looker, this short and stout rocket with a rin' around t' fins t' add stability. Blimey! It also has forward finlets forward t' each fin.

Construction
When I ordered its sister kit, t' GTX, this model was temporarily sold out, so I told t' company please t' inform me when more came and that I'd send for it. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Less than 2 weeks later, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, they arrived, shiver me timbers, me bucko, arrr, although at a higher price, arrr, but t' company allowed me t' have this kit at its original price. Begad! Blimey! That be a nice courtesy.

All parts came intact in shippin' popcorn. Blimey! Ahoy! T' rin' appears t' be a strong heavy plastic that might be a fiberglass. Aye aye! Avast! It's stronger than just polyethylene. Ya scallywag! T' fins and finlets are precut plywood and t' sizes are equal in t' sets. Blimey! Aye aye! That's nice nay t' have t' shave some parts t' fit or match, like we sometimes must. Begad! Blimey! T' 2 launch lugs fit 1/4 inch rods. T' nose cone appears t' be a LOC hollow cone and comes with a premeasured amount o' clay for static stability weighting. Well, me bucko, blow me down! It rattles unnervingly in thar when put in, so I applied a small amount o' epoxy t' keep it still. Arrr! My answer t' many problems. Blimey! Epoxy.

T' motor mount is 29mm tubin' and 2 plywood centerin' rings, one o' which has 2 holes designed t' accept a loop from t' steel cordin' in t' aftward part o' t' shock cord system. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! This cord is crimped twice t' make 2 loops, one forward t' attach t' 1/2 inch elastic shock cord. That be hard, requirin' elbow grease and pliers.

Everythin' else goes together in a snap, matey, as it fits well. Epoxy be used as t' glue. Blimey! Blimey! Directions were simple and straightforward. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! T' chute is a pretty red rip stop, but lightweight nylon, me bucko, arrr, 23 inches in diameter.

Finishing
This kit came with decals, so I used them. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I painted t' rocket yellow and placed t' decals over that, as they're black and look nice over yellow. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' model has a unique and catchy look. Ahoy! Blimey! I'm pleased with it.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight
T' manufacturer recommends t' F40-6, F62-6, ya bilge rat, F80-6, G40-10, ya bilge rat, and G80-10. Well, blow me down! I chose t' G35. Ya scallywag! It happens t' be a favorite motor o' mine. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! I had one with a 7 delay. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! I figured that was a close call. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! I'd like an 8 or 9, matey, really. Avast, me proud beauty! Anyway, I like t' Econojets because they are noisy on takeoff and put out a pretty flame. Ahoy! Well, me hearties, arrr, t' rocket took off with great noise and went up over 1000 feet for sure. Begad! Ya scallywag! It went up into t' sun, so I was unsure if it be still pointed up at ejection. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! I retained t' motor with piano wire and an auto hose clamp. Ya scallywag! Worm bed waddin' protected t' chute. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! Everythin' fit easily into t' tube and wasn't so tight as t' make preppin' tough.

Recovery
Everythin' survived well, so it seems that t' 7 second delay is passable. T' chute is also a passable size, arrr, too, me hearties, as no fins were damaged.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary
Attractive and easy t' build. Good if you want somethin' special t' show others at a launch. Arrr! It's somethin' you won't find in stores. Aye aye! I had t' browse t' net for it. Avast, me proud beauty! Good mid power flights. Ya scallywag! Great company t' order from.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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