Brief:

This model was built t' enter t' EMRR Spaceship Design Contest. Avast! Usin' a BT-60, shiver me timbers, an 18mm engine mount, 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. Avast, me proud beauty!

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. Arrr! Since I be only goin' t' use a single 18mm motor, me nacelles could be constructed out o' BT-5 (3.9"/10cm). Ahoy! Aye aye! For t' nose cone I used a PNC-B60 which be t' same one used in t' Big Bertha rocket by Estes. Well, arrr, blow me down! 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, arrr, and cardboard centerin' rings. Aye aye! Ahoy! 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. Arrr! Usin' Crayola’s Model Magic, I formed t' rocket base and t' nose cones for t' nacelles. Well, blow me down!

This material is very light weight and easy t' work with. Avast, me proud beauty! Once dried, matey, it holds it shape very well and is paintable. Avast! Well, blow me down! I allowed me base and cones t' dry and cut them t' size. 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. Avast! 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, me hearties, proved t' be very challenging. Well, blow me down! Begad! 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. Begad! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! 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. Ya scallywag!

I began gluin' t' supports t' t' nacelles first. With two pieces o' long scrap balsa, clamped both supports with a binder clip, and then glued them to the nacelles. Arrr! Avast! 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. Placin' a couplin' ring inside t' tube helped keep t' shape o' t' tube while cutting. Arrr! A coat of black paint on t' bottom o' t' nose cone helps create t' illusion o' open doors. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty!

After a coat o' sandable gray primer, 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. Ya scallywag!

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

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

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

Now in its full paint and glory it’s time for t' third launch. Metallic silver and hammered metal paint complete t' paint scheme. Blimey! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! 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, matey, wadding, me hearties, and 12" chute. Usin' me homemade tower and controller 3-2-1 LAUNCH!

With t' higher winds, shiver me timbers, I tilted t' launch rod into t' wind about 20 degrees. T' launch went well, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, on t' way up t' rocket had a slight corkscrew effect. Aye aye! Apogee was close to 500 feet. Arrr! 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, everythin' else was fine. Avast!

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. Ahoy! Now it's time t' try and build one o' t' other rockets. Arrr!