Brief:
This is for t' Box o' Parts contest Well, arrr, this rocket for me has had multiple problems, hence t' “jinx” name. Part o' t' issues was good old procrastination. Avast! Arrr! But, excessive work schedules (a few weeks where I be averaging 70 hours a week), stuck tubes, me bucko, a crashin' computer that lost me files, and crashin' rockets (more about that later) – but it finally flew successfully! T' parts arrived late March. Begad! Like a kid giddy at Christmas, I opened t' box, and was surprised by t' amount o' stuff!

Construction:
T' parts that I used are listed below:

• 1 – BT80 x 14 ¼” tube
• 1 – BT55 x 13 ½” tube
• 1 – BT50 x 18” tube
• 1 – BT50 x 3 ¼” tube
• 1 – BT20 x 18” tube
• 1 – BT20 x 3” tube
• 1 – BT19 x 3” tube
• 2 – BT5 x 9” tube
• 2 – BT5 x 7 ½” tube
• 1 – BT80 x 4” coupler
• 2 – BT55 x 3” couplers
• 1 – 80K balsa nose cone
• 1 – BT55 x 5 ½” plastic nose cone
• 2 – BT55 x 3” broken plastic nose cones
• 2 – BT20 x 2 ¾” nose cones
• 1 – BT20 x 1” fiber nose cone
• 3 – BT20 ~ BT50 adapters
• 1 – BT50 ~ BT60 adapter
• 1 – plastic cup
• 3 – measure/mix cups
• 2 –large plastic caps
• 5 – small plastic caps
• 1 – BT5 fin can
• 1 – dual display nozzle
• 2 – 12” parachutes
• Misc 1/8” balsa
• Misc 1/16” balsa
• 1 – fin
• 3 - snap swivels
• 2 – engine hooks
• 1/8” launch lug
• 7 – toothpicks
• ¼” dowel
• 2 large skewers
• 3 small skewers
• Paper
• Decals
• Holographic sheet
• Mailin' box

T' first thin' I did was t' weigh t' parts. My goal was t' use as much as possible. Ya scallywag! Based on t' weight, me hearties, I decided that t' rocket would need a cluster o' 2 D engines t' fly. Well, blow me down! I also felt t' amount o' balsa wood was a bit skimpy (but as I actually got into t' build, it appeared that whenever I needed some wood, shiver me timbers, arrr, thar was still a piece available).

Durin' t' rest o' t' build, you will find me referrin' t' version 1.1 and version 1.2. What should be obvious, I first built version 1.1. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! First flight was at NERFF 4 and t' rocket crashed, me bucko, causin' some major damage. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! JINX! T' keep with only usin' what came in t' box, arrr, I repaired and updated t' design t' version 1.2. Avast! T' second launch also crashed. JINX! But at least nay as bad. Ahoy! Well, arrr, blow me down!

Durin' t' development, me hearties, ya bilge rat, I made up various pieces and taped them together, givin' me some flexibility t' adapt the design. Aye aye! Below is a teaser o' t' taped up version. You will also see where I filled spirals usin' Elmer’s F&F.

I was tempted t' fly it, me bucko, but I could nay figure out

1. What t' speed o' maskin' tape was

2. Ya scallywag! How t' convince an RSO t' launch it

3. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! How many pieces would it be in after a flight

For version 1.1, one o' me first steps be t' boil some corn (although clams or any other grub would work as well – or just plain water). Begad! Arrr! Once t' water was boiling, I placed t' 1/16” strip o' balsa (it be 2” x 12”) across t' pan. Arrr! Besides satisfyin' me hunger, I was also steamin' t' wood so I could bend it. T' corn was done first so I had t' keep steamin' t' balsa but I finally removed t' balsa and sandwiched them betwixt 2 o' my wife’s cake savers (one is 10” t' other is 12”). WARNING – that last step can get you into trouble!! I let this sit for a while (over a day) for t' balsa t' retain its shape

I decided on usin' t' BT80 as me main tube, with 3 pod tubes off o' this main. Arrr! I wanted t' use t' couplers to hold these pods. Arrr! Take t' 3 couplers (1 BT80 and 2 BT55) and draw lines t' length o' t' coupler on opposite sides (180 degrees apart). For t' BT80, make a mark at 2” on one line and a mark at 1” on t' other. For t' BT55, make t' marks at 1” and ½”. Blimey! Ya scallywag! Usin' stiff paper, shiver me timbers, connect t' marks on both sides. Arrr! Usin' a sharp knife, cut along these lines.

Some other preparation work – take one o' t' 9” BT5 tubes. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Blimey! Make a mark 4.5” down from one end. Cut t' tube usin' this mark as t' center on an angle, me hearties, ¼” above and below this position. Arrr! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Epoxy a large plastic cap t' t' straight end o' each tube.

In addition, me bucko, cut out 2 each o' t' 2” x 2 ¾” x 4” x 1” fin and t' ¾” x ¼” x 1” pieces shown above

For t' motor mount, me hearties, I traced t' BT80 onto t' mailin' box and cut out t' circle. Then I drew a line that went through t' center. On here, I traced 2 circles, matey, me bucko, centered on t' line but t' edges separated by about 1/8”. I cut out these holes and dry fitted t' piece into t' BT80 and t' BT50 tubes into t' center circles. Ahoy! Blimey! Sand t' fit. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Once satisfied, matey, I used t' first piece as a template and made a second piece. Avast! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! T' two BT50 motor tubes had a 1/8” slit made 2 ½” from one end. Avast! Blimey! Insert t' motor hook and secure with tape. Begad! Blimey! Slide t' motor tubes into t' two centerin' rings. Cut another piece o' cardboard 2” x 2.6” Glue t' 2 motor tubes t' t' centerin' rings, sandwichin' t' 2” x 2.6” cardboard betwixt t' motor tubes and t' rings. Blimey! Blimey! Let dry.

Take t' other 2 tongue depressors and make a mark 2 ½” from each end on t' edge. Aye aye! Draw a line connectin' t' marks. Well, blow me down! Cut t' tongue depressor apart on this diagonal line. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! Bevel t' cut edges and glue t' pieces back together t' create an angle. Well, blow me down! Glue a toothpick into t' angle created.

For version 1.1, arrr, I made some standoffs. Cut 4 pieces o' balsa ½” x 1 ¼”. Begad! Bevel one o' t' 1 ¼” edges on each piece. Arrr! Ahoy! Glue t' pieces together so t' bevels create a “V” channel

While t' version 1.1 was designed for a 3/16” rod, t' rocket be too heavy. T' version 1.2 was upgraded for ¼” rod. Arrr! Since all I got be 1/8” launch lug material, I had t' improvise. Arrr! Aye aye! Take 3 o' t' small skewers, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, cut 2 t' 7” and t' third t' 9” from t' pointed tip. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Save t' cut off ends for future use. Ya scallywag! Glue the two 7” skewers t' a tongue depressor even with t' ends. Begad! Begad! Let dry. Blimey! Begad! Cut t' ¼” dowel into two 6” sections. Glue these t' t' 7” skewers. Begad! Avast! Finally, t' 9” skewer needs t' be glued in t' middle o' t' tongue depressor on t' opposite side.

From t' 1/8” balsa, arrr, cut 2 fins 9” x 3”. Arrr! I received a plywood fin that was already 6” x 2 ¼”. You would need t' cut your own fin out.

T' BT80 section needs t' be lengthened for stability, so I transformed t' 80K nose cone into a transition. Begad! Blimey! For version 1.1, I planned t' eject t' parachutes from t' very top, ya bilge rat, but I ran into issues. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! Blimey! Version 1.2 separates at the transition. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Blimey! First, me hearties, arrr, arrr, take t' plastic cup and cut about 1 1/8” diameter hole in t' top. Avast, me proud beauty! Slide t' cup over t' nose cone end. Blimey! Blimey! Adjust t' hole size until t' edge o' t' cup (with t' lip) is snug on t' nose cone. Begad! Arrr! Blimey! Carefully, cut away the trim, double check t' fit, then glue t' cup over t' nose cone. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! Blimey! Let dry.

This is how it looks when done

T' attach t' top t' t' nose cone, matey, take one o' t' BT 20 t' BT50 adapters and place it over t' top o' t' 80K nose cone. Mark where it touches t' cone and remove it. Avast! Take t' BT50 tube. First cut off a 3” length (to use as a motor mount). Ahoy! Slide a BT50 section over t' nose cone end. Again, me hearties, mark where it touches. Begad! Dry fit t' BT20 t' BT50 adapter in t' 15” length and t' BT50 t' BT60 over t' same end. Well, blow me down! Push t' tube and adapters onto t' nose cone and verify t' fit. Ahoy! Once you are satisfied, slide t' BT50 t' BT60 adapter up a bit and remove t' BT20 t' BT50 adapter. Avast! Blimey! I used 30 minute epoxy; put some inside t' BT50 tube followed by t' BT20 t' BT50 adapter. Aye aye! Arrr! Place more epoxy on t' outside o' t' BT50 tube near t' end. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! Finally, place more epoxy on t' nose cone at t' marks made earlier. Place t' tube over t' end o' t' nose cone and press down. This will push t' BT20 t' BT50 adapter up, and slide the BT50 t' BT60 adapter down. Blimey! Make sure t' tube is straight with t' nose cone. Begad! Let dry.

While t' transition section is drying, you can make t' nose cone section. Ahoy! Take t' 3” BT20 tube and 4 equally spaced lines (every 90 degrees) along t' length o' t' tube. Begad! Ya scallywag! From one end, me bucko, make marks at 1” on two opposite lines, and marks at 1 ½” on t' other two opposite lines. Similar t' t' couplers, connect t' marks and carefully cut t' tube. Avast! Take t' BT19 tube and make 2 lines t' length o' t' tube on opposite sides.. I am not sure if BT19 is a real designation. (This tube is one you would normally get with an Estes rocket, me bucko, arrr, make a mark, put glue inside a motor tube, matey, ya bilge rat, and use this tube t' push t' motor block in up t' t' mark, shiver me timbers, and then “quickly remove to keep from gettin' stuck”).

One piece o' t' BT20 will be slightly smaller. Avast! This be t' top. Glue it onto t' BT19 linin' up t' pointed ends with t' marks on t' tube. Glue t' 1” BT20 nose cone onto this end. Aye aye! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! Glue t' other BT20 section onto t' BT19, also linin' up t' pointed ends. Blimey! Glue 2 BT20 t' BT50 adapters onto this end. Blimey! Aye aye! I put t' first on so it only left a small 1/16” ~ 1/8” o' t' BT20 extending, so t' adapters are mostly glued t' each other

Since t' 1.1 version be t' be t' separation point for ejection, I did nay want this nose t' slide down, so I created a lip by cuttin' 2 launch lug sections, with t' tops cut at an angle, t' t' BT20 tube in line with the pointed ends. Arrr! T' 2 balsa pieces cut earlier (¾” x ¼” x 1” pieces) were glued t' t' top on the shorter portion, 90 degrees from t' launch lugs.

I glued 2 toothpicks as antenna, arrr, matey, but they smartly broke off. Begad! Ya scallywag! I would nay bother.

Once t' top was dry, t' ensure stability, I added 1.5 ounces o' epoxy and BB pellets t' t' top.

T' win' pods can start assembly. Avast! Cut t' 18” BT20 in half. Ya scallywag! Draw a line along t' length o' t' 2 pieces. Make marks at 2 ¼” and 7” from one end. Begad! Glue t' 2 BT55 couplers cut before at t' 2 ¼” and 7” locations. Blimey! Note t' positions o' t' smaller and larger coupler segment and t' direction o' t' angled cuts. Make 2 o' these. Aye aye! Arrr! Glue t' BT20 x 2 ¾” nose cones in. Avast! Usin' a Dremel tool, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, I cleaned up t' ends o' t' broken BT55 nose cones. These I epoxied into t' other end t' look like a nozzle. I canted t' nozzle for appearance. Let dry, then glue t' 2” x 2 ¾” x 4” x 1” fin t' t' other side. Ya scallywag! You should cut a notch into t' fin to fit over t' coupler.

Back t' t' main section, shiver me timbers, I slid t' larger BT80 coupler into t' BT80 tube with t' point even with t' end. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Blimey! I used this as a markin' template t' cut t' BT80 tube. Avast! I then spent an hour tryin' t' get t' coupler out o' t' tube, causin' me t' have t' cut ¼” strip off where a chewed it up tryin' t' push t' jammed thin' out. Avast, me proud beauty! JINX! Blimey! Cut out t' BT80 tube at t' mark.

I used a piece o' paper and marked t' paper t' determine t' BT80 circumference. Sorry for changin' units, matey, arrr, but I found it t' be almost exactly 21 cm. Well, blow me down! I wanted t' wings pods t' be slightly asymmetrical, matey, so for 3 pods they should be 7cm apart, instead I used 6cm. Arrr! Ahoy! for t' 2 wings. Begad! I centered t' point with t' 6cm marks on t' point o' t' BT80 tube and marked t' tube. Aye aye! Extend these lines t' length o' t' tube. Begad! Aye aye! Glue t' motor mount into t' BT80 so t' 2 tubes are perpendicular t' t' point.

Since me motor mount was cardboard, I did coat it with epoxy for protection.

Glue t' launch lug assembly so t' aft o' t' dowel is 4” from t' end o' t' BT80 tube.

Glue t' win' pods t' t' BT80 so t' aft o' t' win' coupler is 1” from t' end o' t' BT80 tube on the 6cm lines.

Thee rudder pod is similar t' t' win' pods. Mark and glue t' BT80 couplers t' t' BT55 tube at 2 ¾” and 9 7/8” positions. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Glue t' smaller fin t' t' coupler and body tube (you will need t' cut a notch into t' fin for t' coupler) as shown.

T' 2 large fins should wait until this is glued t' t' BT80 tube. Well, blow me down! Mark and glue this pod t' t' BT80 tube, again with t' end o' t' coupler 1” from t' end o' t' BT80 tube. Ahoy! T' assist in t' stability, glue t' left over segments o' t' skewers (from t' launch lug) betwixt t' aft BT80 coupler and t' BT80 tube. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' 4 ½” BT5 tubes glue betwixt t' front coupler and t' BT80 tube, matey, alignin' t' angled cut with t' coupler. Ahoy! Glue t' BT55 nose cone t' t' front.

Once dry, me bucko, me bucko, glue t' larger fins betwixt t' coupler sections on either side. Well, blow me down! T' make a nozzle for t' rudder, me hearties, me bucko, I sanded and roughed up t' 3 measuring/mixin' cups. I cut 2 circles (1 3/8” diameter) from t' mailin' box. Aye aye! I beveled t' edge, matey, and then glued one circle into 2 o' t' cups, shiver me timbers, then glued t' cups together (all usin' epoxy). Once dry, shiver me timbers, this glued into t' aft o' t' BT55 tube. Begad! This nozzle I left straight.

Now t' complete t' top. Arrr! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Startin' at t' BT50 t' BT60 adapter, me bucko, glue 2 large skewers and 2 toothpicks along the tube. Aye aye! Blimey! Attach two o' t' 7” BT5 tubes in line with t' toothpicks startin' at 9” from t' top o' t' BT50 tube. Arrr! Blimey! Glue small plastic caps t' t' top o' these tubes. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Glue t' nose assembly t' t' top. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' launch lugs should be in line with t' BT5 tubes

T' shock cord was cut in half. Avast! Well, me bucko, blow me down! A provided screw eye was attached t' t' 80K nose cone. Blimey! I used some o' t' paper to make a trifold t' attach t' shock cord t' t' main tubes. Usin' t' snap swivels, me bucko, one 12” parachute was attached t' t' top and t' other be attached t' t' main tube shock cord.

For version 1.1, ya bilge rat, t' bent balsa was attached t' t' fins on t' wings. Avast! T' V beveled standoffs were attached over the win' fins. A missile was made usin' t' last BT5 tube, t' fin can, me hearties, arrr, t' display nozzle, and another small cap. Blimey! Begad! A missile rack be made with some ¼” x ¼” x 2” supports. Well, blow me down! Finally, shiver me timbers, two 1” x 3” supports were made t' support t' missile. Blimey! Avast! Your size may vary based on t' size o' your wife’s cake savers (or other molds you may have used).

Flight:
Cuttin' things t' t' wire, ya bilge rat, t' night before I left for NERRF I’m givin' this thin' a quick primer coat and 1 coat o' white. Arrr! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! There were supposed t' be chances o' thunderstorms at NERRF and I was afraid t' field could be wet. Water and cardboard don’t mix. Ya scallywag! Blimey! So, ya bilge rat, on Saturday, off t' NERRF 4 I went t' fly t' beast. Arrr! Blimey! As I previously stated, the rocket was designed t' eject t' parachutes from t' top (I did nay discuss about t' holes I drilled through the 80K nose cone. Begad! Blimey! As I was preppin' t' rocket, matey, I noticed t' parachutes were tight. Begad! Blimey! This had me concerned. Arrr! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I had not glued t' 80K t' t' BT80 (fortunately), me hearties, so I taped this joint. Aye aye! Blimey! Installed 2 D12-3 engines and got through t' RSO (he did wince when I stated it only used two 12” parachutes). Aye aye! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! While waitin' t' load, I had several comments askin' how I kept all t' small pieces on. Avast! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I explained this be its first flight. Ya scallywag! Blimey! We called a heads up flight. Blimey! Blimey!

They launched t' HPR rockets, started t' LPR – and stopped halfway! They then went t' more HPR and did not come back t' t' LPR. Blimey! Ya scallywag! My rocket sat on t' pad for over an hour. Ya scallywag! JINX! Finally, it launched. It danced a bit on t' pad – t' rocket weight be really too heavy for a 3/16’ rod. Ahoy! Also, I thought t' 3/16” rods were 4’, but they were only 3’. Avast! But, arrr, t' rocket went up nice and straight. Avast! But those tight chutes did nay come out. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! The tape at t' transition let go – crash. Begad! Begad! JINX!

I gathered up t' pieces. Blimey! T' worst damage be t' wing. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! At least t' corn had tasted good.

As I previously stated, at this point I cut off t' 1.1 version o' t' launch lug and rebuilt it as version 1.2. I decided t' missile added too much weight, and I had no good place t' put it, so I left it off. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! I cut off the standoffs for t' tongue depressors and mounted them upside down. Ahoy! Ahoy! It be also at this point when I changed t' t' shock cords t' connect at t' transition. So, I went back t' NERRF on Sunday. While loadin' t' engines, I had t' rocket leanin' against t' side o' me car. Arrr! Begad! I had t' grab something, and it fell over and cracked a fin. Well, blow me down! JINX! A quick glue repair and it was good t' go. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! I did nay have t' wait this time, me bucko, arrr, possible since I be now on t' ¼” rods. Again, I requested a heads up. Ahoy! Begad! It launched beautifully straight, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, but when t' chutes came out t' one for t' main section tangled on t' launch lug skewers and landed hard. Blimey! Ya scallywag! JINX! But at least t' top came down gently, arrr, matey, and landed in one o' t' water filled irrigation ditches. Blimey! JINX! JINX! JINX! Fortunately, it was only t' very tip with t' epoxy/BB filling. Aye aye! There was some minor damage t' t' rocket, but it be repairable. Ya scallywag! I was goin' t' give up, but then t' contest got extended a week, just enough time for some repairs and painting.

My son and I went t' a local school yard and did 1 launch. Begad! Arrr! Nice and straight, both chutes opened, and a safe recovery! I be nay goin' t' tempt fate with another launch. One thin' I would say, matey, me bucko, t' rocket really needs 18” chutes minimum. Blimey! Begad! While t' landin' did nay cause any damage, I did wince as it looked rather hard. Aye aye! Arrr! However, matey, I had to live with what I got – t' 12” chutes.

Summary:
This be a great contest that challenged me. Ya scallywag! Avast! Despite all me JINXes, arrr, I think I came up with somethin' special that used almost all o' me parts. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I guess t' only thin' I didn't try is puttin' t' rest o' t' parts into a blender...