Brief:

This model be built t' enter t' EMRR Spaceship Design Contest. Usin' a BT-60, me hearties, an 18mm engine mount, shiver me timbers, and four BT-5s for t' outboard nacelles t' only obstacles left was t' rounded aft section and t' small cones on t' nacelles. Crayola’s Model Magic turned out t' be just what was needed. Begad!

Characteristics:

• Height: 9.8 inches Width: 3.8 inches Weight (without engine): 2.25oz
• Motor Mount: 18mm (single) Recovery: 12 inch Parachute

CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE Arakska - 1 Characteristics Height: 9.8" Width: 3.8" 18mm Motor Mount 12" Chute 2.25 oz empty

Construction:

T' followin' are t' major components used:

Narrative:

Since t' only source document be t' photograph, t' measurements are all relative. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Since I was only goin' t' use a single 18mm motor, arrr, me nacelles could be constructed out o' BT-5 (3.9"/10cm). Aye aye! Blimey! For t' nose cone I used a PNC-B60 which be t' same one used in t' Big Bertha rocket by Estes. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! I began with determinin' t' length o' t' rocket based on t' width o' t' BT-60 body tube (7.5"/19cm).

T' engine mount is a typical 18mm mount usin' an engine block, matey, engine hook, Mylar ring, and cardboard centerin' rings. Begad! Blimey! T' forward centerin' rin' was placed at t' edge and t' aft rin' about 1" from t' edge.

Before insertin' t' engine mount I decided t' create t' curved base portion o' t' rocket. Usin' Crayola’s Model Magic, shiver me timbers, I formed t' rocket base and t' nose cones for t' nacelles. Well, blow me down! Blimey!

This material is very light weight and easy t' work with. Once dried, it holds it shape very well and is paintable. I allowed me base and cones t' dry and cut them t' size. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! T' image t' t' right shows both t' engine mount and aft cone together in t' body tube.

I also use Crayola’s Model Magic t' create t' side pods for the forward portion o' t' rocket. Begad! Blimey! Usin' Plaster o' Paris, I created molds which I forced t' model magic into. Gettin' t' model magic back out o' t' molds without damage, proved t' be very challenging. Aye aye! Once dry they were trimmed and glued t' t' rocket usin' white glue.

Now for t' nacelles; usin' 3.9" o' BT-5 and model magic nose cones I needed t' create t' supports. T' supports are cut out o' 1/16" balsa. T' radius on t' aft support was based on t' finished curve o' t' main body’s aft cone. Begad! Begad!

I began gluin' t' supports t' t' nacelles first. Begad! With two pieces o' long scrap balsa, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, clamped both supports with a binder clip, ya bilge rat, and then glued them to the nacelles. Arrr! I balanced t' nacelle on a piece o' modelers’ clay t' keep it from fallin' over.

I made 24-1/8" slits t' top o' t' body tube and bent down every other tab t' simulate t' open bay doors in t' photograph. Blimey! Begad! Placin' a couplin' ring inside t' tube helped keep t' shape o' t' tube while cutting. A coat of black paint on t' bottom o' t' nose cone helps create t' illusion o' open doors. Well, blow me down!

After a coat o' sandable gray primer, I began markin' for fin placement and paint rings.

With t' fins on and t' small pods, ya bilge rat, I decided t' conduct a swin' test. Well, blow me down! I ended up placin' 0.3 oz o' clay into t' nose cone. Begad!

After a coat o' florescent orange paint t' t' body, it was ready for its first launch. Blimey! Begad! Digital cameras never seem t' catch t' right moment. Blimey! Blimey!

On a hot (96¡ F) summer day with a light breeze (2-4 mph), Arakska-1 lifts off. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! Usin' a B6-4 for first flight, shiver me timbers, me hearties, Arakska-1 reached approximately 300ft and landed 80ft down range. Ahoy!

Launch two was durin' a group launch. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! I used a B6-4 again and achieved the same results. Ahoy! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! No photos were taken o' t' launch that day. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I be t' Safety Officer and had a lot o' kids t' keep an eye on. Avast! Blimey!

Now in its full paint and glory it’s time for t' third launch. Metallic silver and hammered metal paint complete t' paint scheme. T' orange areas were taped off before applyin' t' silver paint.

For t' third launch, shiver me timbers, I have loaded a C6-4 engine, me hearties, wadding, matey, and 12" chute. Usin' me homemade tower and controller 3-2-1 LAUNCH!

With t' higher winds, I tilted t' launch rod into t' wind about 20 degrees. Ahoy! T' launch went well, on t' way up t' rocket had a slight corkscrew effect. Apogee be close to 500 feet. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Ejection was just after apogee and t' rocket landed about 100 ft from t' launch site on asphalt. Ahoy! A small dent on t' lower end o' one o' the nacelle, shiver me timbers, everythin' else was fine. Arrr!

I planned t' make a larger version o' this rocket usin' four engines, shiver me timbers, but the rules state only one rocket per design. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! I might try loadin' ½ A's in the nacelles I have and still keep an 18 MM in t' center. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! That will be a later day. Begad! Begad! Now it's time t' try and build one o' t' other rockets.