Brief:
This Goony version o' t' Fireball XL5 sci-fi model is based on t' Estes SpaceShipOne kit. Avast, me proud beauty! This kit, me bucko, which I buy at Michael's crafts with 50% off coupons, ya bilge rat, is now me favorite kit t' bash. Avast, me proud beauty!

Modifications:
T' modifications included replacin' t' stock fins, matey, ya bilge rat, replacin' t' stock recovery system, matey, ya bilge rat, arrr, and modifyin' t' nose cone. Begad! Avast! T' motor mount is stock.

Construction:
Parts list:

• Estes SpaceShipOne kit
• 3/16" fin stock
• lead shot
• small eyebolt
• steel fishin' leader
• extra elastic chock cord

All o' t' fins were roughed-out on paper until they looked right. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' side fins were made from two pieces of 3/16" stock each. Arrr! Ahoy! Blimey! T' two pieces touch at their leadin' edge and are separated by a strip o' balsa in t' rear. T' leadin' edge was then sanded t' a smooth point. T' side fins were cut from 3/16" stock. Arrr! Arrr! Blimey! T' small fins on the cone are t' small fin extensions from t' SS1 kit. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey! T' kit provided two and I cut t' others from t' unused fin stock. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' balsa-plastic joints were attached with thick CA and wood glue was used on t' wood-wood joints.

I attached a steel fishin' leader t' t' top centerin' rin' and t' stock elastic cord t' that. Begad! Blimey! I had planned to use two chutes due t' t' expected weight o' t' nose, me bucko, so a separate shock cord be provided for it. Begad! Ya scallywag! I knew I'd need a lot o' nose weight so I attached t' cord t' an eyebolt that is embedded in a slurry o' lead shot and Gorilla Glue. That way, ya bilge rat, t' weight is securely attached t' t' recovery system. O' course, t' nose weight be t' last step. Well, blow me down! The bottom o' t' cone was removed t' allow access for t' nose weight installation and t' provide a tad more room for the 'chute if needed.

As I noted earlier, t' motor mount be t' stock 18mm. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! I was lucky t' have t' new RockSim 9 program with its PODS feature. Avast! This allowed me t' simulate t' actual design configuration. Well, me bucko, blow me down! Blimey! I set t' nose weight based on this simulation model.

With t' unloaded weight sittin' at about 5oz, t' sim indicated a long rod be need for a stable C6 flight. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! So, early on, matey, I decided t' go for a reload. Avast! Blimey! I got an 18mm Hobbyline case and a pack o' D13-10s from ValueRockets.com. Arrr! Great prices and speedy service!

Finishing:
I did t' normal filling/sanding/primin' drill. T' base coat is a silver primer for t' X-Metals paint. Ya scallywag! I then used brush-on paints for t' red and yellow trim. Ahoy! T' circles are from t' SS1 'decal' set, matey, t' colored band be printed on my ink jet, matey, and t' 'goony' letterin' is vinyl from Michael's craft store.

Flight:
T' D13 be easy t' assemble. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Since I be at MDRA, I be able t' drill t' delay usin' t' same method specified for the 29mm and larger motors. Arrr! Ahoy! I filled t' bottom o' t' body with dog barf, shiver me timbers, added several pieces o' wadding, and then some more dog barf. Arrr! I decided t' go with one 18" chute, arrr, which be attached t' both shock cords.

At t' 11th hour, ya bilge rat, me bucko, I realized that I'd used t' stock lug and decided this rocket be too heavy and unproven to fly with that. Avast! Avast! I removed at lug and epoxied on a piece o' ¼" compatible launch lug material (e.g. a tube from an AeroTech First Fire igniter).

I set each side fin on a stand-off and hooked up t' Copperhead. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' rocket flew great with some spin, which was undoubtedly t' result o' some imperceptible misalignment o' one or more fins. After all, arrr, I built it.

Ejection was just a tad late and t' rocket recovered damage-free.

Summary:
I love t' Fireball design and thin' t' Estes SpaceShipOne kit is a great subject for kitbashing. This model flew nicely and is a proud member o' me Fireball XL5 rocket family.