Dr. Zooch Titan IIIC SLV5

Dr. Zooch - Titan IIIC {Kit} (Titan IIIC SLV5)

Contributed by Hans "Chris" Michielssen

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Published: 2010-04-15
Length: 14.00 inches
Manufacturer: Dr. Zooch
Skill Level: 3
Style: Scale

Brief:
An "Ant Scale" version o' t' Titan IIIC SLV5.

Construction:
Openin' T' Box:

There are a lot o' centerin' rings. Avast, me proud beauty! Six CR2050P rings and four CR205P rings.

T' two TVC Tanks are interesting. Aye aye! There is a slight difference in ends o' t' two lathed dowels, shiver me timbers, arrr, an easy fix.

T' longer Core Nose Cone is pre-weighted. Avast! Aye aye! T' ribbon-like Keelhaul®©™® is used in this kit.

The instructions and Wrap Sheets were rolled. I ironed them flat and scanned t' Wrap Sheets just t' be sure. Avast! Begad!

Three main tubes are all based on t' BT-50 format. Begad!

I found t' instructions very easy t' follow and entertaining.

There were no real "gotchas"

While t' DR. Avast, me proud beauty! Zooch kits have you apply White Glue t' just t' outside edges o' a body wrap, I have better luck usin' Spray Adhesive. I feel it gives me a little more time t' make adjustments, I never seem t' get it right t' first time.

The Core Stage Body Wrap is fairly long. Avast! I decided t' cut it into three pieces t' make t' wrappin' easier. I’ll spray adhesive t' t' top third and wrap it usin' t' top o' t' tube as a guide. T' middle wrap will butt-up against the bottom o' t' top wrap. Avast, me proud beauty! And, t' same with t' third.

You are directed t' cut thin bands from t' brown and gray colored rectangle on t' wrap sheet. Arrr! I have done this before on t' Ares Stick kit. On t' Titan kit though, these are about half that width, very thin.

There are six "Flame Fins. Aye aye! Avast! Three fins on each BT-5 tube. Avast! All are arranged out o' t' way o' t' engine flame. Ya scallywag! There isn’t a markin' guide for t' Flame Fins. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! You are directed t' glue them at “90 degrees apart.” I have markin' guides, ya bilge rat, but supplyin' one with t' kite would have made it more convenient.

The Shock Cord Mount is t' be glued in place 2" from t' top o' t' Core Tube. Ahoy! Ahoy! This seemed a little deep, but I glued it thar anyway.

I switched out for a larger Screw Eye. T' supplied Eye was small and t' screw threads were nay deep. Begad! I was afraid it could pull out o' t' Nose Cone. Avast, me proud beauty!

T' Elastic Shock Cord is tied t' t' Keelhaul®©™®. I decided t' tie on t' Parachute one third t' way down from t' Nose Cone. This way t' Nose Cone would have less chance o' gettin' tangled up in t' Parachute Shroud Lines.

Finishing:
After makin' Flame Fins on a few other Zooch kits, me bucko, I have developed me own favorite color combination. All is sprayed white. Begad! Then, yellow follows on t' lower half o' t' fin unit, blendin' t' yellow with the white. Arrr! Begad! A light mist o' orange follows, lightly mistin' just t' outside edges o' t' fins. Aye aye! I try t' duplicate t' flame colorin' from pictures o' t' Shuttle launches.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I finally got around t' flyin' T' Titan IIIC at t' R.O.C.K. Arrr! Ahoy! monthly launch on April 3, 2010. Well, blow me down! There was plenty o' wind and I was reluctant. Begad! I played it safe and went with a B6-4. I had no reason t' be worried. Ahoy! Even with wind gusts, t' flight be straight up.

Recovery:
Recovery be fine, no damage. Ahoy! I'll go with a C6-5 next time around.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Dr. Ahoy! Zooch kits are favorites o' mine. Avast! Well engineered and great flyers.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Dr. Zooch Titan IIIC SLV5 By Bill Eichelberger (April 14, 2009)

    Brief: A semi-scale version of the first of the Titan IIIC launch vehicles, this Dr. Zooch version is constructed entirely of pre-printed paper and wood, and in the end, if you build with some patience and a tolerance for the slightly acerbic instructions, you will have a great performing, impressive looking bird. (Well, I did, and if I can do it it's well within the realm of anyone ...

  • Dr. Zooch Titan IIIC SLV5 By Paul Morris (May 5, 2008)

    Brief: This is my first Dr Zooch kit, chosen specifically for the 2008 EMRR Challenge. The instructions state that it is a light weight, high flier that is fun to build as it is to chase. Construction and Finishing: The kit comes in a very sturdy white cardboard box. All parts were present and correct with no damage. My first impression was how well produced the parts were. ...

Flights

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