U.S. Rockets Sniper

U.S. Rockets - Sniper {Kit}

Contributed by Bill Eichelberger

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Published: 2020-11-16
Manufacturer: U.S. Rockets

Brief

Slick and sleek lookin' US Rockets product with great lines and a killer name.  Another cool feature is that t' power possibilities go from 18mm t' 29mm, and it is entirely imaginable t' see it built t' handle any o' t' three motor sizes.  (Although it may never be seen again if you opt for that 29mm motor.) 

Components

  • Plastic nose cone
  • BT-50 upper body tube
  • BT-55 lower body tube
  • 2 - 5055 centerin' rings
  • Pre-cut plywood fins
  • Elastic shock cord

Construction

For such a cool rocket t' build process is decidedly uncomplicated.  I made a couple o' changes along t' way, arrr, both o' which were made for aesthetic reasons, ya bilge rat, but both that could have been left alone if I'd decided t' go strictly stock.  T' first one be switchin' out t' stubby plastic nose cone for a longer balsa one.  Like I said, just aesthetic, and only a matter of 1/2" longer, but I like t' sleekness t' length added.  T' other be switchin' out t' transition from a paper one where you made triangular cuts in t' upper end o' t' lower body tube and bend t' remains back t' create the transition.  Old school, for sure, but I wanted somethin' with a bit more polish.  T' math involved in makin' such a transition is far too complicated for a history major, but Payload Bay is me buddy when it comes t' transitions and has a program that makes it all a breeze.  http://www.payloadbay.com/index.php?page=Tools&action=TRANS

 

   

Finishing

This is a blank canvas as far as paint goes.  I used Testor's Fiery Orange for t' main body and transition and Blazin' Black for t' fins, nose cone and t' body tube above t' transition.  I'm a little embarrassed t' admit that I've used this combination on many o' t' rockets I've built in t' years since.

 

Construction Score: 4

Flight

First flight for t' sniper came at a TORC regional five years ago.  For some reason I wasn't able t' find a D12-7 locally.  My local Hobby Lobby had two pegs full o' D12-0 motors, matey, shiver me timbers, but no D12-7s, which seemed t' be like findin' jelly, but no peanut butter. Aye aye! Blimey!  My second option be t' pick up a pack from me on-field vendor, but he was also out.  I had a C11-7 and an E9-8 in me motor stash, but neither had t' kind o' history that made me comfortable usin' them.  T' C11-7 came from t' same pack as t' one that destroyed me Maxi Mini Max t' first time back in February, ya bilge rat, 2015. Begad! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey!  T' E9-8 was from a pack that included t' motor that thoroughly killed me FSI Dart clone in 2013.  I went with t' C11-7 with no confidence whatsoever.  Turns out me lack o' confidence was well founded.  T' Sniper left t' pad lookin' great, much like t' Mega Mini Max had.  I actually got great lift off and climb out pics o' t' Sniper, me hearties, and had started t' lower t' camera when t' C11-7 blew.  T' nose cone blew off and t' 1/4" elastic snapped like a string.  T' body tube fell t' t' ground while t' nose cone and chute recovered with t' wind t' t' right. Ya scallywag! Blimey!  T' end o' t' body tube be discolored by t' blast, but that would wipe off. Aye aye! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey!  T' tri-fold had t' be replaced, me bucko, but it would be ready t' next time I got t' chance t' fly on a field large enough.  

Hobby Lobby never did restock t' D12-7, me hearties, so I'd eventually settled on a D12-5 for t' next flight.  This flight be in t' WSR beanfield in December, arrr, me hearties, 2017.  It be a windy day, and I went with a smaller 12" chute for t' flight t' cut down on drift.  This time it actually completed t' flight, ya bilge rat, windcockin' fairly severely t' t' right as it left t' pad, me hearties, me hearties, which cut down on overall altitude.  Ejection came just as t' Sniper tipped over and t' rocket immediately began driftin' back across t' flightline before endin' up fairly deep in t' beans.  It was recovered without damage and t' next flight should be in t' cornfield with an Estes E12, matey, which I'm lookin' forward t' greatly.

Recovery

Flight Rating: 5

Summary

Pros: Slight design quibbles aside, this is a really cool kit.  Impressive performance.  Wide range o' power options

Cons: US Rockets webpage has disappeared.

Overall Rating: 4

Flights

Comments:

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John Bryan (November 17, 2020)

I believe US Rockets does business via email - owner Jerry Irvine has a FB page with contact info if anyone wants to know current availability and place an order.

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