Custom Rockets Game Over

Custom Rockets - Game Over {Kit} (10042)

Contributed by Jason Orosco

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 0.98 inches
Length: 11.75 inches
Manufacturer: Custom Rockets
Skill Level: 1
Style: Sport
Custom Game Over

Brief:
Custom Game Over rocket is a level 1 single stage rocket with a streamer used for recovery. Ya scallywag! Avast!

Construction:
List o' parts:

  • 1 BT-50, matey, 9" long
  • 1 PNC-50 Injected Nose Cone
  • 1 PNC-50 Nose Cone Plug
  • 1 ET-20, 2.75" long Engine Tube W/Slit
  • 1 EC-2 Engine Clip
  • 2 CR-2050 Centerin' Rings
  • 3 Balsa Fins
  • 1 Streamer, 48" long
  • 1 SC-2 Shock Cord (elastic)
  • 1 Lug 1.25" Short Launch Lug
  • 1 Decal set (Peel and Stick)
  • 1 SCM-50 Shock Cord Mount

Supplies: White/wood glue, me bucko, plastic cement, 320/600 grit sandpaper, sandin' sealer, scissors, hobby knife, shiver me timbers, and gloss black and silver spray paint. Ahoy!

PRO: Engine be t' first step in this construction t' BT 2.75" already has a slit cut in t' add t' engine clip, pretty straight forward assembly o' t' motor mount.

CON: Next step be t' fin alignment template, arrr, T' instructions say make 3 marks from template provided in the instructions that's no problem. Here's t' problem says mark t' lines 1" from t' bottom, ya bilge rat, for some buildin' there first rocket t' are no lines for fin alignment because attach t' fins 1" from t' bottom.

Custom Game Over PRO: Is gluin' t' engine mount into t' tube. Arrr! Begad! Mine went vary easily didn't have t' sand t' rings.

PRO: Shock cord mount easy 3 fold mount cut from t' instructions and fold and glued. Well, blow me down! Glued t' shock cord 1.5" inside t' tube.

PRO: Cuttin' out t' fins, I sanded both sides with 320 grit sandpaper before cuttin' them out. Begad! Then I sanded all the edges smooth.

PRO: There is a small slit cut on t' root edge o' t' fins so you know what side t' fin t' glue t' t' rocket. I ran a small bead o' wood glue down t' root edge a let dry for a few seconds before attachin' them. Avast, me proud beauty!

PRO: Glue t' launch lug 3" from t' base betwixt 2 o' t' fins. Ahoy! Then I ran a fillet o' glue down each side of t' fin.

Custom Game Over

Finishing:
PRO: I taped off t' base o' t' nosecone and painted it with white primer, me bucko, me hearties, let dry, me hearties, ya bilge rat, and sanded it smooth usin' 320 grit sandpaper. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Applied 2 coats o' Valspar gloss black. Aye aye! Begad! Blimey!

PRO: Rest o' rocket be primed with white primer let dry and sanded smooth usin' 320 grit sandpaper. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! I used Testors Chrome and applied two coats and let dry for a couple o' days.

CON: Peel and stick decals need t' be cut individually and applied t' t' rocket. This will be tough for a kid as the decals that go on t' fins are small a need t' be cut out carefully. Begad! I would suggest usin' tweezers t' apply these small decals.

CON: Streamer gets tied into t' eyelet o' t' nosecone and then t' shock cord gets tied into t' eyelet. Blimey! Begad! I would tape or tie t' streamer on t' shock cord 2" down from t' nose cone. Ya scallywag!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Custom Game Over

Flight:
Preparation o' t' rocket is 4 sheets o' wadding. Ahoy! T' first flight was on an Estes A8-3. Aye aye! It was a nice straight flight and had good altitude. Begad! Begad!

Second flight was also on a Estes A8-3 for a good straight flight.

Third flight was a Quest A6-4. Begad! Another nice straight flight.

Recovery:
CON: First flight t' rocket came down too fast on t' 1" x 48" streamer.

PRO: Second flight switched out t' streamer for a 12" chute, which made for a nice gentle landing.

CON: Third flight was a nice liftoff, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, me bucko, but a shroud line wrapped around a fin, me bucko, came down hard,and cracked a fin that had already been repaired.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
PRO: Good beginners rocket, shiver me timbers, nice straight flights, and good small field flier.

CON: Needs a wider streamer or use a 12" chute instead. Ya scallywag! Markin' lines for t' fins on t' body tube should be marked up from t' bottom at least 4". Avast, me proud beauty!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Custom Rockets Game Over By Mark Bischof (July 4, 2010)

    Brief: Single stage, LPR, Streamer recovery, high fling all around fun rocket. Parts: 1 body tube - paper 3 fins 2 paper centering rings 1 motor mount and elastic shock cord nosecone The instructions are easy to follow, basic illustrations, good order, template for fin positioning, which is helpful no issues with sturdiness. The engine mount is very loose and needs to ...

Flights

Comments:

avatar
S.M. (June 6, 2009)
The last picture shows that the fins are on upside down. (Newbies take note--this is not how you're supposed to do it!) The balsa grain follows the leading edge, not the trailing. In terms of in-flight failure it's probably not important for an 18mm rocket but perhaps this contributed to need for fin repairs on landing mentioned in the review?
avatar
J.O. (June 9, 2009)
S.M. is quite right about the fins. I cut them off and have redone them. Newbies need to pay close attention to the instructions.

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