| Manufacturer: | Scratch |
(Contributed - by Bob Fortune)
I've enjoyed buildin' and flyin' variations o' t' Estes Gyroc and Jonathan's Cyclone (Maple Seed Rocket) so much I decided t' try a variant o' me own.
T' Gyroc pops an engine t' deploy its flaps then spins t' t' ground. Begad! You can see a plan o' this rocket at JimZ's place. Arrr!
T' Cyclone pops its booster and t' upper body tube twirls t' t' ground in a flat spin like a maple seed. This rocket can be seen at:
http://www.cs.indiana.edu/hyplan/jwmills/EDUCATION.NOTEBOOK/rocket/rocket.html
There is another Estes rocket (the Tornado I think) that also uses a tumble-recovered booster and spinnin' upper BT in which one fin stays on the upper body tube whose name I can't recall similar in nature t' t' Maple Seed Rocket. Both t' Cyclone and Tornado have solid mounted single fins that impart spin upon descent. Blimey! You might be able t' find this at Jimz's place also.
T' SillyCopter recovers in a somewhat similar yet boingy manner. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! At apogee the upper BT and booster separate and t' sustainer tips over as t' springy music wire pulls t' fin and holds it in an attitude like a flap or foil for a spinnin' descent. Blimey! T' booster tumbles t' t' ground in a disorderly manner like the first stage o' a multistage rocket. Arrr!
So you get t' keep your deadlights open for both rocket parts!
     
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This rocket flies very well on A through C engines. Begad! It will need some tweaking of t' music wire fin holders once it is assembled and additional tweaking after a couple o' flights t' get t' sustainer t' spin properly. Fly it on an Estes A8-3 or Quest A6-4 for t' first flight. Ahoy! A C motor puts it up there pretty far, about 1000', and makes recoverin' t' booster a challenge. Well, blow me down! For the upper portion t' spin nicely t' key is t' imagine t' foil o' a helicopter blade and bend t' wire accordingly. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! T' design o' t' wire-to-fin junction is relatively robust but take care that you grasp t' fin sled and wire firmly when bendin' t' get t' foil just right. Arrr! Also take care that t' coupler slides freely from t' body tube on deployment and that t' "fin sled" is waxed occasionally with paraffin t' make sure it releases cleanly. Ahoy! This is very important! Also take care that t' "sled dog" tabs don't snap off when t' "fin sled" is inserted into place. Blimey! Ahoy! Grasp t' fin and upper body tube in one hand and guide t' fin into t' booster sled dog. A couple o' flights, matey, a bit of adjustment and t' thin' will spin nicely. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! Prep is easy because thar be no parachute or wadding. Begad! Installation o' t' black vinyl tape t' hold t' music wire tight t' the body tube is simple and location is nay critical as long as it is on t' lower portion o' t' upper body tube. Aye aye! Two wraps o' tape spaced a couple o' inches apart is all that is necessary. You might also try leavin' it off completely but t' fin really bounces around as it moves through t' air. Avast, me proud beauty! You might also try buildin' it per alternate #1. Blimey! Aye aye! This is a bit more work but it's interestin' t' see. Blimey! Put some talc in this compartment and it will poof out when it impacts t' ground. |
Parts List: |
| If you build this and fly it please let me know! : ) If
you need help with its construction please feel free t' email me. Have
Fun! Bob |
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