It seems t' be popular t' "trick out" cars t' make them look meaner, arrr, faster, arrr, cooler. Even though a car that is truly "tricked out" is meaner and faster with performance enhancin' equipment, however, "tricked out on a budget" is t' make a car look meaner and faster, arrr, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, instead.

Rowes Cone Retainers could be considered a way t' "trick out" a rocket t' make it look meaner, faster, me bucko, and definitely cooler! Blimey! They don't add t' speed or performance, me hearties, but they are more than just a pretty ornament. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! They hold your precious (and expensive) motor cases in place!

My experience is with two o' Rowes Retainers; t' 24mm Cone Retainer and t' standard 29mm Retainer. Aye aye! Blimey! I have 2 more 24mm Cone Retainer sets on order.

CONSTRUCTION (24mm Cone):

I used t' 24mm Cone Retainer on me Fat Cat Rockets Galactic Marauder. Arrr! Blimey! This required pre-plannin' because t' attach t' 24mm retainer base, thar needs t' be 1/4" o' motor tube exposed. Avast! Blimey! On t' Galactic Marauder, shiver me timbers, t' fins and pods are mounted flush with t' end o' t' 24mm motor/body tube, so I had t' move everythin' up 1/4". Blimey! Blimey! This shortened t' final depth that t' tail end would be inserted in t' t' main body tube.

For a scratch-build or other kits, you will probably nay have any trouble addin' t' 24mm base, me bucko, just be aware that it needs 1/4" o' tube exposed.

To attach t' base, shiver me timbers, matey, I scored t' inside t' rough up t' aluminum surface a bit, I sanded t' 24mm motor tube, matey, arrr, and then used 15-minute epoxy t' put it all in place. No problem. Obviously avoid gettin' epoxy on t' threads.

If you are addin' this t' a kit, arrr, arrr, matey, then you will also need t' add nose weight t' compensate for t' extra tail weight. Begad!

I painted t' base t' same color as t' rocket. Begad! T' do this be sure t' wrap tape around t' threads t' keep tape off o' them. Aye aye! When all is done, arrr, look!

CONSTRUCTION (29mm Standard):

I used t' 29mm standard Retainer on another Fat Cat Rocket, t' I.P.F.I. Strikeship. Avast! T' 29mm standard Retainer did nay require any pre-plannin' since it attaches t' t' aft centerin' rin' o' t' rocket. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! NOTE: t' aft centerin' rin' needs t' be flush with t' motor tube end for this retainer t' work!

T' retainer is very easy t' add. Drillin' two small holes, ya bilge rat, screw in t' base mount inserts and then screw t' retainer on with provided Allen screws.

T' anodized red finish makes it stand out on t' finished rocket (dependin' on your color choice).

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

T' 24mm Cone Retainer is simple t' use in t' field. Avast! Simply unscrew t' cone, insert motor, and screw cone back over. With Aerotech 24mm RMS cases it does nay screw down all t' way (very close though). It had no problem holdin' t' motors in.

I have used it twice with Blue Thunder motors so thar was nay much o' a flame. Ahoy! I'd love t' get a picture with it on a White Lightnin' motor, me bucko, but for now I'm on pause because me retainer is hangin' in a tree (along with t' rocket and me RMS casing)!

T' 29mm Retainer requires that you have a small Allen wrench with you t' attach or remove t' ring. Arrr! I have used it twice, as well. Avast! Arrr! Once with an F50 Single-use motor and once with an Aerotech 29mm 40/120 RMS casing. Avast, me proud beauty! It is very easy t' work with.

SUMMARY:

My experience make with Rowes Retainers, with t' actual product, me bucko, has been outstanding. A couple other o' comments need t' be made for full consideration:

First, me hearties, arrr, I got me first set o' retainers in approximately two weeks. Begad! Aye aye! T' second set though... Begad! has been over two months! This isn't Rowes, shiver me timbers, it be t' U.K. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! t' U.S. Aye aye! mailin' system! I confirmed this with me > 2 month wait for me Caveman MicroHybrid.

Second, "tricked out" cars, me bucko, and rockets, ya bilge rat, add expense. Begad! T' 24mm Base/Cone has a current price o' $31.50. T' standard 24mm would be $19.50. Ya scallywag! T' standard 29mm Base/Retainer has a current price o' $16.50. Ya scallywag! T' Cone version o' t' 29mm is $34.50.

So, if you really want t' make your rocket look meaner, arrr, ya bilge rat, faster and cooler as well as have t' functionality o' a motor retainer, me bucko, then Rowes has your answer. Begad! This is especially true o' Rowes Cone Retainers! I give t' two retainers I used an OVERALL ratin' o' 4 ½ points. Arrr! If would be great t' get a U.S. distributor as well as work on gettin' t' price down.... Blimey! but, hey, if they were cheaper everyone would have a "tricked out" rocket!