Brief:

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

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 was t' photograph, t' measurements are all relative. Blimey! 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). For t' nose cone I used a PNC-B60 which be t' same one used in t' Big Bertha rocket by Estes. Arrr! 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, engine hook, Mylar ring, and cardboard centerin' rings. Ahoy! Avast! 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, I formed t' rocket base and t' nose cones for t' nacelles. Avast!

This material is very light weight and easy t' work with. Once dried, it holds it shape very well and is paintable. Begad! I allowed me base and cones t' dry and cut them t' size. Avast! 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. Usin' Plaster o' Paris, matey, I created molds which I forced t' model magic into. Ahoy! Gettin' t' model magic back out o' t' molds without damage, proved t' be very challenging. Blimey! Well, blow me down! 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. Blimey! 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.

I began gluin' t' supports t' t' nacelles first. Well, blow me down! Avast! Blimey! With two pieces o' long scrap balsa, clamped both supports with a binder clip, and then glued them to the nacelles. Begad! 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. Arrr! Aye aye! 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.

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

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

After a coat o' florescent orange paint t' t' body, arrr, it be ready for its first launch. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Digital cameras never seem t' catch t' right moment. Avast, me proud beauty!

On a hot (96¡ F) summer day with a light breeze (2-4 mph), Arakska-1 lifts off. Arrr! Begad! Usin' a B6-4 for first flight, Arakska-1 reached approximately 300ft and landed 80ft down range. Arrr!

Launch two was durin' a group launch. I used a B6-4 again and achieved the same results. Aye aye! No photos were taken o' t' launch that day. Blimey! I was t' Safety Officer and had a lot o' kids t' keep an eye on. Ya scallywag! Ahoy!

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, I have loaded a C6-4 engine, me hearties, wadding, ya bilge rat, and 12" chute. Usin' me homemade tower and controller 3-2-1 LAUNCH!

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

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