Squirrel Works JX-1

Squirrel Works - JX-1 {Kit} [?-]

Contributed by James Gartrell

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Diameter: 0.08 inches
Length: 13.88 inches
Manufacturer: Squirrel Works
Style: Sport
Squirrel Works JX-1

Brief:
This is another excellent Sci-Fi oriented rocket from Squirrel Works. Avast! Comes with t' customary awesome face card that is a signature for every one o' their kits.

Construction:
BT-50 based rocket with a balsa nose cone and standard 18mm motor mount and engine hook. T' four fins are complemented with BT-5 ramjet tubes, and if you align them properly as per t' instructions, t' ramjet fins appear t' extend through t' tube. Well, blow me down! T' two canards located near t' front o' t' rocket are tipped with wood dowels that add an extra "cool factor" t' the design. Begad! Ahoy! T' fins and canards are laser-cut balsa. Well, arrr, blow me down! T' kit comes with a long 32" elastic shock cord, shiver me timbers, tri-fold mount, me hearties, shiver me timbers, and a screw eye for attachin' the shock cord. Ahoy! A 2"x60" red mylar streamer is provided for recovery with a tape strip used t' attach it t' t' shock cord.

T' instructions are superbly illustrated and easy t' follow. Begad! Blimey! I don't consider this a starter rocket, me bucko, but if you follow t' instructions and take your time, a superb lookin' rocket awaits you at t' end o' t' build. Avast! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' more difficult points are alignin' t' ramjet fins with t' main fins and rounding the dowels on t' end o' t' canards. Begad! Blimey! If you can handle that, ya bilge rat, t' rest is a standard build. Avast! Blimey! I used a 6" length o' Keelhaul®©™® to install in t' shock cord mount and then attached t' provided elastic shock cord t' that. Ahoy! T' minimize t' abrasiveness o' t' Keelhaul®©™®, I put a loop in t' end o' t' Keelhaul®©™® and set t' knot in t' loop so that it met t' end o' t' body tube. I also soaked t' end o' t' body tube in CA and then sanded t' shoulder o' t' nose cone for a snug fit.

Finishing:
I painted mine just like t' cover, except I used a light grey base color rather than white, me hearties, ya bilge rat, t' match t' color I used for me Squirrel Works Spirit of Texas. Aye aye! Blimey! T' waterslide decals really compliment t' already unique style o' this rocket. Begad! Avast! Blimey! I messed up a couple o' t' decals when applyin' them, shiver me timbers, but that just happens now and then with waterslide decals. Ahoy! Blimey! Don provided another set, matey, but I decided t' save them t' apply after a few flights.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Squirrel Works JX-1

Flight:
I've only flown t' rocket once, on a C6-5. Arrr! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Man, ya bilge rat, did that rock! Blimey! I was surprised. Blimey! Blimey! I thought t' tubes would add a lot o' extra drag but it sure wasn't noticeable. Arrr! Blimey! Zoomed off t' pad and went almost out o' sight. Avast! Blimey! Flew straight as an arrow, ya bilge rat, even with a pretty stiff 10-12mph breeze.

Recovery:
I used a much shorter streamer I had in me range box, because o' t' high winds and t' field wasn't that large. Begad! It came down pretty quick. Avast, me proud beauty! Luckily, me bucko, me bucko, it landed in some tall grass and didn't suffer any damage. Arrr! I'd recommend stayin' with the longer streamer. Aye aye!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
T' JX-1 looks super on t' pad and in flight. Can't think o' a reason why someone wouldn't want one o' these in their fleet. Very impressive!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Squirrel Works JX-1 By Chan Stevens

    Brief: Squirrel Works is carving a niche for interesting designs, and this futuristic space model is no exception. It flies great on common 18mm motors, and has enough trim and detailing to make for a nice diversion from the typical 3fnc designs. Construction: Parts were all very good quality and include: Balsa nose cone/screw eye BT-50 tube (white/glassine, very light ...

Flights

Comments:

avatar
S.S. (September 26, 2004)
Although I have not actually built the kit yet, I did win it in the EMRR Rocket Proverbs Contest. The amazing thing about Squirrel Works is that they shipped me the prize within 4 days notice of my choice! To me, that's amazing service. Many vendors, when they ship a prize, seem to take their time. To Squirrel Works, a customer is a customer. Thanx guys!! I'm looking forward to building this cool kit!!

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