Art Applewhite Rockets Delta Flying Saucer 24mm (6\")

Art Applewhite Rockets - Delta Flying Saucer 24mm (6") {Kit}

Contributed by Peter Davidson

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: Art Applewhite Rockets
Art Applewhite Delta Saucer 24mm

Brief:
This is a very nice simplified version o' Art's Original Flyin' Saucer rockets which flies great and can be launched on a wide variety o' 24mm motors.

Construction:
I ordered Art's 24mm 'Flames' Delta and included in t' kit is:

  • One sheet o' cardstock t' make up t' top/bottom shrouds and shroud tabs.
  • One pre-marked 7" piece o' foamboard t' make up t' center plate.
  • One 24mm motor mount.

This was me first Art Applewhite build and although t' construction techniques are somewhat different from a 4FNC rocket, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, they are quite easy t' master. Arrr! T' components are top quality and t' instructions very thorough with no obvious gotchas so that even complete rocketry novices should have no problems constructin' this rocket.

Firstly, ya bilge rat, t' top and bottom shrouds are cut out from t' provided cardstock and t' provided shroud tabs are glued into place. Ahoy! Blimey! After cuttin' out t' holes for t' launch rod and motor mount, each shroud is then formed by gluing each respective side on t' t' tabs.

T' center plate is then made up by cuttin' along t' pre-marked outer line with a sharp X-Acto knife. It is a good idea t' make this cut with a progressively deeper series o' cuts rather than tryin' t' cut through in one hit. After cuttin' out t' pre-marked holes for t' motor mount and launch rod, matey, a shallow cut is applied t' t' pre-marked inner line t' facilitate ease o' cuttin' t' form a 30 degree beveled edge which will enable t' top shroud t' mount to the center plate. T' beveled edge is then done by cuttin' at a 30 degree angle along t' outside bottom edge t' the above mentioned shallow cut. Aye aye! Be sure t' use a fresh X-Acto blade for this as a blunt blade will prevent a clean cut bein' made and could possibly damage t' foamboard. Ya scallywag! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Once formed, I sanded t' beveled edge smooth with 180 grit sandpaper.

T' top shroud is then glued into place on t' beveled edge and t' glue then allowed t' dry. Arrr! Begad! Glue is then applied t' t' center plate's motor mount hole and t' motor mount pushed into place through t' bottom until t' top slightly projects past t' top o' t' shroud. Ya scallywag! Once t' glue was dry, I then applied glue fillets where t' motor mount meets t' top shroud and center plate. T' bottom shroud is then glued into place after which I applied glue fillets to where t' bottom shroud and center plate meet and t' where t' motor mount and bottom shroud meet. Avast, me proud beauty! Durin' this whole process, it is imperative that all three launch rod holes are aligned with each other.

Art recommends that only white glue be used durin' construction so I used Selley's PVA throughout.

Finishing:
This rocket is a cinch t' finish with t' only finishin' technique recommended by Art bein' an application o' clear coat paint t' protect t' cardstock from moisture for which I applied a single coat o' Tamiya Clear acrylic.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
This rocket is designed t' be launched usin' a 3/16" launch rod.

T' first flight was with a D12-3 (friction fitted) with which I was nay familiar and upon launching, t' motor ejected itself through t' top under power which thankfully left t' rocket undamaged bar some soot on t' top shroud. Ditto that for t' second flight.

After liberal use o' maskin' tape on another D12-3, shiver me timbers, matey, t' third launch was successful with t' rocket takin' off slowly and merrily with lots o' noise and smoke t' t' amusement o' spectators. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Ditto that for t' fourth flight.

Recovery:
Recovery is a cinch due t' t' rocket employin' aerobrake (tumble) recovery and is especially amusin' t' watch if usin' a motor with an ejection charge as ejection will cause t' rocket t' spin end over end durin' descent. Ahoy! As a consequence, t' rocket also recovers quite close t' t' launch pad which makes this rocket ideal for use in 5-10mph windy conditions.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is one heck o' a great rocket for flyin' in small fields which can be built in an hour or two then flown on the same day. Begad! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Once built, t' rocket is surprisingly robust and I managed t' obtain fourteen awesome flights with this rocket till a malfunctionin' D11-P caused t' rocket t' CATO. I have since flown other UFO rockets supplied by Art and cannot recommend his products highly enough.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Art Applewhite Rockets Delta Flying Saucer 24mm (6") By Taylor Jessee

    Brief: I have always liked UFO type rockets like the Estes Snitch which I was glad to find out about these good quality kits that are high drag and dying to fly. Construction: The kit includes: 7" of cardstock for shrouds foamboard 24mm motor tube The instructions were very easy to follow. I think it went together very nicely. It was kind of tricky cutting the ...

  • Art Applewhite Rockets Delta Flying Saucer 24mm (6") By Dick Stafford

    Brief: This is a review of Art Applewhite's newly released "Delta" saucer, which flies on 24mm motors. The main difference between his Delta saucers and his standard line is that there are no fins, and both the top and bottom shrouds extend to the motor mount. This makes them simpler to construct, less expensive, and fly higher than the standard saucers. The Kit includes: One sheet of ...

Flights

Comments:

avatar
D.A.U. (July 21, 2003)
This is a quick, easy build. It took one evening to build it. The instructions were clear and easy to follow. My only concern was that it was difficult to line up the launch lug holes. I've flown it twice now. C11-0 is a fast flight, almost too fast to enjoy it. The D11-P is a much more satisfying flight. I fly over hard ground, though, and the rocket descends quickly on the plugged motor. It dented the paper shroud a little. Excellent rocket. UFOs are fantastic demonstration rockets for school yard flights. Lots of noise, interesting looks, and a very safe and steady flyer.

comment Post a Comment