American Alliance Rocketry M15 Snake

American Alliance Rocketry - M15 Snake {Kit}

Contributed by Joy Sills

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
American Alliance Rocketry M15 Snake

Brief:
A fun LPR kit that utilizes "Snake Recovery: 5 sections blow apart, yet remain attached for an interesting 'flight o' a snake.'" A kit thats slightly out o' t' ordinary.

Construction:
T' parts list:

  • 3 0.74" x 3.125" Body Tubes
  • 1 0.74" x 3.625" Body Tube for fin can
  • 3 Couplers
  • Engine Block
  • Two-piece Plastic nose cone
  • Launch Lug
  • Elastic Shock cord
  • 1 sheet o' 1/16" x 3" x 5.25" Balsa for 3 fins and engine tool
  • Waterslide decals

T' kit came with four pages o' easy t' follow instructions. Ahoy! T' instructions were easy t' read and were well written in me opinion. Aye aye! These instructions give t' builder a good amount o' illustrations and black and white pictures to aid in t' construction process. T' steps were laid out in a logical order and made t' build process almost a complete breeze. Aye aye! Avast! Templates for t' fins, matey, me bucko, engine tool, me hearties, and shock cord mount were included as well as a fin locater. Ya scallywag! The instructions clearly remind t' builder t' dry fit t' parts before assembly, which is important I think. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty!

T' "Snake" went together without any major difficulty. T' fit be slightly off but be corrected with a little sandin' t' allow ease o' separation. Ahoy! Blimey! T' engine tool which is cut from t' balsa stock and assembled by the builder, shiver me timbers, me bucko, is a great reusable tool in positionin' engine blocks. Begad! Blimey! T' instructions really aided in makin' this an easy build. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! They gave good tips and reminders.

T' only supplies and tools needed for this build were glue (I used epoxy) and a hobby knife t' cut out t' fins and engine tool.

Finishing:
I decided t' paint t' Snake similar t' what was on t' package. I painted it white and then masked off every other section and painted it red. Blimey! T' decals included were quality waterslide and definitely added a great touch.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
For t' first flight I used a B6-4. Blimey! I used one sheet o' waddin' which was recommended. Well, blow me down! T' Snake utilizes friction fittin' for its motor retention. Well, blow me down! Well, me bucko, blow me down! T' flight be straight and much higher than I expected.

Recovery:
T' shock cord is tied t' t' nose cone and uses a paper mount t' attach it t' t' booster section. Aye aye! T' shock cord is also attached t' each particular body section.

T' recovery was good. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! There be no damage, me bucko, but t' bottom body tube didn't separate from t' booster section. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! I did a little sandin' and it worked perfect on t' second flight.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I love this rocket and its design. Aye aye! Aye aye! It makes a great addition t' any rocket collection especially with its "snake recovery".

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flights

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