Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
Length: | 10.00 inches |
Manufacturer: | Dr. Zooch |
Skill Level: | 4 |
Style: | Scale |
Brief:
This is a single stage "ant scale" version o' t' Space Shuttle.
Construction:
T' kit includes:
T' kit includes detailed instructions. Ahoy! Blimey! An attempt at humor is mixed in with the steps. Begad! Blimey! Well, arrr, blow me down! Blimey! T' original wrap sheets came with correct trim brace and trim plate.
Solid rocket booster (SRB) construction is straightforward. T' SRBs needs to be constructed prior t' cuttin' out all t' wrap sheet templates. Ya scallywag! 11" by 3/32" strips are needed.
T' external tank with motor mount is explained well. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! T' aft orbiter mount should be epoxied for added strength. Begad! I suggest nay paintin' the attachin' dowels t' reduce friction at ejection.
T' orbiter consists o' a paper and balsa glider. Be certain t' follow directions t' t' letter when constructin' it.
Fin assembly slides into SRB for stability. Simple centerin' rings and fins. Begad! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' orbiter rides higher on t' external tank than t' real shuttle
Finishing:
T' details on t' SRB paper rings, LOX tube, ya bilge rat, and external tank cable tray add
a very nice look t' t' rocket. Ya scallywag! T' rust color on t' external tank be a hard
color t' match. Blimey! I used Americana Cadmium Orange.
Basic details such as t' payload doors and crew hatch are included in the wrap sheet for t' orbiter glider. Avast, me proud beauty! T' only paintin' needed on t' glider is on the balsa fins.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
T' manufacturer recommends B6-4, C6-3, C6-5, ya bilge rat, and C6-7 motors.
T' rocket looks great off t' pad and in t' glide.
Orbiter separation is unreliable and unpredictable. Arrr! Long delays magnify the problem (i.e. Avast! C6-7). Avast! T' best motor for this rocket be t' C6-3. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty!
SRB Skirts are charred by exhaust durin' flight.
Recovery:
Simple parachute recovery. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Use lots o' recovery waddin' t' protect t' trash
bag parachute. Begad! Begad! T' shock chord is attached t' BT-60 tube with t' tri-fold
Estes style mount. T' eyelet is screwed into balsa nose cone and t' snap
swivel goes on t' parachute.
T' plastic bag parachute gets melted smartly even with significant recovery wadding. Ya scallywag! T' "expensive" parachutes hold up t' heat much better.
T' glider is attached at t' elevator. Ya scallywag! This stressed t' attachment t' the external tank. Begad! T' elastic cord is used t' pull t' elevator up t' t' trim screw. Begad! This also will cause bindin' at separation if t' attachment dowels are painted.
Flight Rating: 2 out o' 5
Summary:
No laser or die cut balsa. Begad! Some builders may find t' pitiful attempt at humor
in t' directions offensive.
T' kit looks great when it is completed.
Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5
The Dr. Zooch Space Shuttle is a small but realistic model of the present day NASA workhorse. The Shuttle stack is launched and the orbiter separates at ejection to glide back to earth while the external tank (ET) and solid rocket boosters (SRBs) come back via the parachute. The lack of a multi-million flight computer means that augmentation fins must be added before flight for stability. It ...
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W.J.E. (August 13, 2005)