Brief:
T' RAAM, arrr, ya bilge rat, otherwise known as t' "Radical All American Missile", arrr, is a semi-scratch built 2" HPR model that is dual-sized and can fly on a range of motors from an F40W with t' short version t' a H180W on t' long version of the model. Blimey! Avast! It was built with left over parts from a recently demised PML AMRAAM 2, but has only t' lower fins, hence it is half an AMRAAM, arrr, ya bilge rat, otherwise known as the RAAM. Arrr! These reasons are how I came about its name.

Construction:
Recently, me bucko, shiver me timbers, matey, I lost me first PML AMRAAM 2 after many launches t' a premature nosecone ejection in mid-flight on an H128W and wound up havin' a torn Quantum body tube that was too much trouble t' repair. I purchased a replacement AMRAAM 2 kit, which can also be reviewed on t' EMRR site, but then was left with a totally intact aft fin assembly, piston, strap, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, matey, shock cord and nosecone. Blimey! Begad! The only components purchased were a PML 2" bulkhead assembly, me bucko, arrr, me hearties, a PML 2" coupler, matey, ya bilge rat, a PML 36" x 2" Quantum Body Tube, a pair o' 2.26" x ¼" Acme conformal launch lugs and two 1/8" quick links.

I began by cuttin' t' torn body tube from t' old AMRAAM 2, me bucko, which left a lower section and fin assembly 10" long and completely built, ya bilge rat, matey, including the still attached piston and shock strap. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! T' inside area was cleaned o' old, hard t' reach ejection powder and then sanded usin' 80 grit sandpaper. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! Next, a PML 2" coupler be cut lengthwise and slipped over t' black shock strap, then epoxied into t' lower fin body tube assembly so it was flush with the upper motor mount centerin' ring. This completed t' preparation o' t' lower, left over fin unit. Well, blow me down!

Next, me hearties, I cut the 36" length o' new Quantum body tube into two 18" lengths. Ahoy! One of the 18" sections o' body tube was integrated into t' lower fin section. I roughed up t' inside o' t' body tube, then pushed t' piston assembly completely through t' tube. Well, blow me down! T' lower part o' t' shock strap be covered with maskin' tape in case epoxy dripped on it from t' next step. 15 minute epoxy was used t' glue it over t' split coupler t' t' fin section, shiver me timbers, and left me a completed lower half o' t' rocket. Blimey! T' maskin' tape was removed from t' shock strap and I did tape up t' outside o' t' body tube seam until t' epoxy set to help center t' tubes with each other. Aye aye! Aye aye! As a last step, ya bilge rat, t' nosecone was fit to this lower tube and a 1/8" pressure relief hole be drilled through the body tube two inches below t' base o' t' nosecone. Blimey! Ahoy!

T' upper o' these two tubes was sanded on t' inside at one end and t' new PML bulkhead be epoxied inside this upper body tube. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! In t' next step, I coated t' bulkhead ply face with a layer o' epoxy t' make it powder proof and easier t' clean. Well, blow me down! T' bulkhead be pushed into t' newly completed lower section and fit well. Finally, I installed t' original nosecone into t' top part of this upper tube, matey, ya bilge rat, then marked and drilled a pressure relief hole into t' upper tube about two inches below t' base o' t' nosecone. Well, blow me down! Begad!

 T' lower section was stripped o' t' old AMRAAM paint usin' Acetone and Denatured Alcohol, shiver me timbers, arrr, then it be sanded with 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper and primed with Krylon and "Painter's Touch" white primers. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! About 6 coats o' primer were applied and final sanded with 600 grit. Well, blow me down! Blimey! It didn't take much t' prime; the lower fin section was already glassed, sanded and primed prior t' building since it was a leftover. Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Also, since Quantum tubin' was used, matey, t' new sections primed like a dream and only 600 grit sandpaper be needed t' smooth them out. Begad! Blimey!

I painted t' body tube from t' blue seam forward in White Krylon Glossy. It was masked at t' blue seam so t' lower fin section be still primer only. Four coats o' white were added, and t' last coat be thicker then t' rest. Once finished, arrr, matey, I let it dry overnight, then masked off t' stripes and used Red Krylon Glossy t' paint t' irregular stripes, which covered in two coats. The nosecone be painted next with four coats o' Krylon White Glossy. I then removed t' maskin' from t' lower area, shiver me timbers, me hearties, masked off t' striped upper section and painted this fin area with four coats o' Krylon Dark Blue. Avast! It left the joint where t' blue and White meet seamless, matey, which is what I be shootin' for.

T' upper section was next. Avast! I masked off t' area from t' top stripes down, then began workin' on t' stars. Well, blow me down! Avast! I used Paintshop Pro t' make t' stars, me bucko, then printed them out on paper. Arrr! Arrr! T' stars were cut out in paper strips, 8 at a time and placed and scotch taped down over a 1" thick strip o' maskin' tape which be laid on a cuttin' board. Avast, me proud beauty! I used a Exacto t' cut out each star from the maskin' tape and placed them in t' appropriate positions. 4 coats of Krylon Dark blue were painted over t' upper section and nosecone and left to sit overnight. Ahoy! Aye aye! Then I removed t' maskin' tape stars and viewed t' final product for finish.

Once t' model be completely painted, I fastened t' shock cord t' the piston and used a drop o' epoxy t' hold it in place. Begad! A 1/8" quick link was tied t' t' cord for quick removal o' t' parachute and another quick link was added t' t' bulkhead end. This second quick link at t' end allows me to quickly switch t' connection from t' bulkhead eyebolt t' t' nosecone, for a "shorty" LMR version o' t' rocket. I now have a dual purpose/sized model; T' shorty version flies on F-G motors and t' full version flies on the H motors. Blimey! Begad!

T' final touches were added t' t' rocket; t' 24" parachute was attached and t' PMR retainer be checked for fit usin' t' original mounts. Also, matey, I marked t' spots for t' new Acme aluminum launch lugs, then removed the paint and used 15 minute epoxy t' attach them instead o' t' supplied double-sided tape. Avast! A stainless ¼" piece o' launch rod was used to insure alignment, shiver me timbers, then t' first lug was mounted exactly betwixt t' fins and the second lug be mounted mid way up t' total length o' "shorty" version with t' lower tube and nosecone combined. Ahoy!

Flight:
My rocket weighed in at around 30 oz for t' full version, me hearties, but I have yet t' weigh it for t' short version. Ahoy! Blimey! We converted it to the short version for it's first flight on a F40-7W, matey, arrr, prepped it and placed it on t' pad. Ahoy! T' F40 be a very good choice as t' model lifted well; it was a very good launch, me bucko, me hearties, however, t' delay was too long for it's weight and didn't eject until it be nose down but t' model faired without a scratch. Ahoy! T' next flight was a real test o' stress; A G64-10W was built and loaded into t' rear of t' model and it be placed on t' pad. Aye aye! When it lit, it was an ANIMAL o' a motor for this rocket, arrr, t' best launch o' t' day with perfect deployment and landing. Ahoy!

T' next launch was at our first Tripoli Mid-Ohio meet for 2001. T' LONG version be configured, then I prepped a H128W with a medium delay and the rocket be prepped and motor was installed. Well, blow me down! Also, ya bilge rat, when loadin' t' motor case, I did NOT use all t' black powder ejection charge. T' piston ejection system actually requires less ejection charge and PML includes a chart for reference when loadin' t' charge.

After waitin' patiently, t' rocket was placed on t' pad and then came its turn. Avast, me proud beauty! T' RAAM left t' pad like a shell shot out o' a cannon; fast, shiver me timbers, loud and very straight, matey, but nay quite as fast as me A2. It was an awesome launch, with the sound and white smoke billowin' out t' tail. Aye aye! Begad!

Recovery:
T' RAAM reached apogee and had a perfect ejection; it then floated safely to the ground. Ahoy! Estimated altitude was around 2600 feet and it was a very good flight. Upon examination, shiver me timbers, t' rocket came out o' it without a scratch and I look forward t' many more launches with this sturdy bird. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It was late, so the RAAM be t' last launch o' t' day for us, but thar will be more t' come. Begad!

Summary:
T' RAAM turned out t' be one great flier! It is a stable rocket, somewhat over stable in its long 55" airframe with CG 4 body tubes ahead o' CP when loaded. Ahoy! Avast! T' shorty version also makes an excellent everyday flier for mid-power loads and it is a blast on a G64W. Aye aye! But, convert it t' full length in seconds usin' t' quick links and you have a very stable rocket that can easily compete with t' Mirages and others out there, me hearties, and compete well. Arrr! In summary, if you loose a rocket, don't just throw away t' pieces, shiver me timbers, but rather use t' leftovers. Who knows, shiver me timbers, you may just be able t' build one o' these RAAM's, matey, me bucko, a truly "Radical All American Missile"!