Modification Gravity Rider 224 Modification

Modification - Gravity Rider 224 {Modification}

Contributed by Les Bradshaw

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: Modification
Style: Cluster, Futuristic/Exotic

Brief:
After readin' Chan Stephens' review, I decided t' modify t' design t' boost t' power. I changed from a single 18mm mount t' dual 24mm mounts. Begad! Blimey! I also made t' ejection charge t' vent into t' top center tube and eject from t' very top.

sunward_gravityrider

sunward_gravityrider_motormountsModifications:
After decidin' t' upgrade t' engines, matey, I looked through me parts pile and found appropriate 24mm motor tubes, me bucko, centerin' rings, and engine hooks. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! I had just purchased RockSIM, but with t' multiple tubes I smartly discovered this be nay t' first rocket t' attempt t' use RockSIM on. Instead, I figured out t' extra weight I was addin' with t' motor mounts and t' D12 engines so I could add some clay t' t' nose cone t' maintain t' proper balance. Aye aye! These new 24mm mounts installed into t' t' tubes t' way t' 18mm mount would have installed.

sunward_gravityrider_wingletsFor t' top end, me bucko, I measured t' shoulders o' t' nose cones. Ahoy! Begad! I lined t' top tube with t' 2 lower body tubes and made marks t' see where t' tubes touched. Ahoy! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! I increased t' overlap o' t' top tube with t' 2 lower body tubes t' give me room t' make me vent slots. Aye aye! These I carefully cut about 3/16 in wide and 3/4 in long. Begad! When I glued this tube t' t' two lower tubes, I filleted t' joint somewhat heavily t' make sure I did nay have any air leaks.

T' 2 lower nose cones were then glued into place. Avast! Blimey! I angled these slightly for what I felt be t' best look. Begad! I went back t' me parts pile t' find another nose cone t' seal t' bottom o' t' top tube. Begad! When I glued in t' top fins I set these t' be behind t' new nose cone. Avast! This also lowered t' fins a bit which would also help maintain t' stability.

T' tri-fold shock cord mount moved t' t' top tube. Avast! As I indicated earlier, I added about an ounce o' clay weight t' t' top nose cone. T' 2 D-12 engines could handle t' weight.

Construction:
T' kit came with t' following:

  • 3 BT-56 tubes
  • 2 BT-50 tubes
  • 3 plastic nose cones with canopy
  • 18mm motor tube and associated rings and hooks
  • 18" parachute
  • Laser cut fins
  • shock cord
  • decals

All t' parts were well packed and received without any damage.

Besides me mods, t' rest o' t' build went well and followed Chan's build. Aye aye! However, some o' t' problems he noted such as t' template were already corrected in me version - nice t' see t' manufacturers listen t' t' review comments. Ya scallywag! I still found t' instructions for t' top fins a bit confusing, me bucko, but since these were bein' modified anyway it did nay matter t' me.

I primed and painted t' rocket white. Aye aye! Aye aye! I found Testors had some special tintin' spray for car models t' simulate windshield tinting. Well, blow me down! I decided t' try this for t' canopies.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
At NERRF 3, I loaded t' parachute into t' top and 2 D12-5 motors. When launched, matey, t' rocket appeared t' wobble quite a bit, arrr, me hearties, but smartly straightened out and took off fast and high. Arrr! I thought I saw somethin' drop off, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, but I be concentratin' on trackin' t' rocket too much t' worry. Ahoy! Blimey! T' rocket went several hundred feet and ejected t' parachute and drifted down nicely, although quite a ways down range. Blimey! T' vented ejection charge worked without any issues. Well, blow me down! When I located t' rocket I found one o' t' large, main fins was missing. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I looked around but could nay find it anywhere near t' rocket. Arrr! Blimey! I walked back and as I passed t' launch control area, ya bilge rat, thar was me fin on t' table. Begad! Begad! Blimey! I guess that was what dropped off - no wonder it wobbled! Blimey! Perhaps dual D's versus a single C did add a bit o' thrust. Avast, me proud beauty! I have repaired t' rocket (and used epoxy t' improve t' joint). Based on how high this went and drifted, me hearties, matey, I do nay have a large enough space where I fly locally t' recover this, matey, so I will have t' wait for another opportunity where thar be a large field (perhaps NERRF 4?)

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great lookin' kit, me bucko, and with t' modifications will fly fast and high. Well, blow me down! Begad! I love t' scifi and fantasy style kits, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, matey, and this one be right on.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

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