Fat Cat Rockets Frenzee

Fat Cat Rockets - Frenzee {Kit}

Contributed by Steve Ramberg

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

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. Begad! T' rocket arrived in a short amount o' time. Ahoy! T' parts were packed loose in a sturdy box o' packin' peanuts. T' parts consisted o' a 17" body tube, nose cone, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, 2 plywood centerin' rings, me hearties, one 9 1/2" 24mm motor tube, seven 2 3/4" 18mm motor tubes, me hearties, seven 1/8" plywood fins, me hearties, ya bilge rat, a length o' steel cable, shiver me timbers, 4' o' 3/8" wide elastic shock cord, matey, two 1/4" launch lugs, me bucko, a small bag o' BBs and a nice 24" rip-stop nylon parachute.

T' instructions consisted o' 7 steps printed on a single 8x10" piece of paper. T' instructions were well illustrated and simple t' follow. Aye aye! Blimey! The instructions also included a fin guide as well as a list o' parts and additional assembly items required. Ahoy! Blimey! T' parts were assembled usin' yellow glue and epoxy. T' 7 18mm engine tubes are glued around t' 24mm Fat Cat Rockets Frenzeeengine tube. Ya scallywag! Avast! 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. Ahoy! Ahoy! T' fins are pre-cut and match sanded. Begad! T' edges o' t' fins are sanded round and are then epoxied into t' gaps betwixt t' 18mm motor tubes. The recovery cable is attached t' t' upper centerin' rin' and t' whole motor assembly is glued into t' body tube. Avast! 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.

Fat Cat Rockets FrenzeeFat Cat Rockets Frenzee

Finishing:
No special finishin' instructions were given. Ya scallywag! I tried t' match t' paint job of the model on t' company's website. Ya scallywag! Blimey! This consisted o' 3 coats o' primer and then paintin' main body tube white and t' nose cone and fin section red. Blimey! The paint scheme provides a unique look without too much work. Arrr! No decals were supplied.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Fat Cat Rockets Frenzee

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). The manufacturer suggests pluggin' t' end o' t' C6-0s with epoxy, me bucko, me hearties, arrr, but I chose not to. Arrr! Arrr! No motor retention is supplied and all motors are simply friction fitted usin' maskin' tape. Aye aye! I added a healthy amount o' dog barf and t' rocket was ready t' go. Arrr! T' launch this rocket successfully, I decided I needed a clip whip, so I built myself one with 8 sets o' leads. Ahoy! Ahoy! Once on t' pad I connected all 8 igniters and waited for ignition. Blimey! Once t' button be pushed all motors lit and t' Frenzee leapt off t' pad at a slight angle. T' parachute deployed right on schedule, ya bilge rat, me bucko, but that turned out t' be a bit early. Upon recovery the rocket had suffered a 1/4" zipper. Begad! Other than that it was a great flight. Arrr!

T' second flight (months later and with t' zipper repaired) I used a D12-7 and seven C6-0s. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! 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. I be lucky and found all but one casing. Blimey! I did have some burn marks at t' top o' t' 18mm motor tubes. This be due t' me failure t' seal them completely t' t' bottom o' the centerin' ring. I added some glue after t' first flight t' keep this from happenin' again.

Fat Cat Rockets Frenzee PROs: It is an 8 motor cluster! Ample shock cord with sturdy attachment and a very nice parachute.

CONs: T' recommended motor delay was too short. Arrr!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
A good rocket that definitely scratched me cluster itch. Avast, me proud beauty!

PROs: I thought all o' t' parts were o' good quality and t' directions simple t' follow.

CONs: I wish thar was a way t' retain all o' t' motors.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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