Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Manufacturer: | Red Arrow Hobbies |
Brief:
This Black Brant II is a 2.6" X 58" tall rocket made usin' Red Arrow's phenolic tubin' and their custom
made nose cone and tail cone. Begad! It comes with a 38mm MMT although it can fly on a wide range o' 29mm and 38mm motors
dependin' how far you wish t' walk. Ya scallywag! With some modifications it could be set up for dual deployment.
Construction:
T' parts came very well packaged and include:
T' instructions are straightforward and are designed for rocketeers with buildin' experience as thar are no pictures. Well, blow me down! Some sandin' o' t' centerin' rings was necessary t' achieve optimal fit onto t' MMT and into t' airframe. Sandin' o' t' fins was minimal, ya bilge rat, however, shiver me timbers, lots o' sandin' be required after cuttin' t' slots into t' boat tail for proper fit.
T' only modifications t' this kit be replacin' t' heavy duty elastic cord with tubular nylon and usin' rail buttons.
Finishing:
Finishin' was easy: a base coat o' white then I masked off t' airframe for paintin' t' upper airframe, t' fin/boat
tail sections, and nose cone black. I used peel and stick Monokote for t' roll pattern and used letter stencils and a
paint pen for t' name. Avast! T' other details were painted on usin' Testors paint pens.
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight:
I used a Pro38 H153-8 for it's first flight. Blimey! Avast! Recovery be fine, ya bilge rat, t' landin' wasn't--it hit t' only rock in t' field
and broke a fin. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down!
Second flight was on an AT H128W-S for another good flight and good recovery.
I used t' motor retention included with t' kit: t' threaded rod and wing-nut. Well, blow me down! Arrr! Works just fine.
Recovery:
All flights have resulted in good recoveries. I would, ya bilge rat, however, recommend a smaller chute for breezier days.
Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5
Summary:
This is a good, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, fairly easy t' build kit for those with some buildin' experience. Arrr! Blimey! This would make a good L1 and/or L2
kit. Aye aye! Blimey! It could easily be modified for dual deployment for usin' larger motors.
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5