Brief:
This is for t' Box o' Parts contest Well, this rocket for me has had multiple problems, shiver me timbers, hence t' “jinx” name. Blimey! Part o' t' issues was good old procrastination. Arrr! But, excessive work schedules (a few weeks where I was averaging 70 hours a week), matey, stuck tubes, matey, a crashin' computer that lost me files, shiver me timbers, and crashin' rockets (more about that later) – but it finally flew successfully! T' parts arrived late March. Avast! Like a kid giddy at Christmas, shiver me timbers, I opened t' box, and be 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 be t' weigh t' parts. Aye aye! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! My goal be t' use as much as possible. Arrr! Based on t' weight, ya bilge rat, me hearties, I decided that t' rocket would need a cluster o' 2 D engines t' fly. Avast, me proud beauty! 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, thar be 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. First flight be at NERFF 4 and t' rocket crashed, causin' some major damage. Begad! JINX! T' keep with only usin' what came in t' box, I repaired and updated t' design t' version 1.2. Well, blow me down! T' second launch also crashed. JINX! But at least nay as bad. Well, blow me down! Ahoy!

Durin' t' development, I made up various pieces and taped them together, givin' me some flexibility t' adapt the design. Well, matey, blow me down! Below is a teaser o' t' taped up version. Avast! You will also see where I filled spirals usin' Elmer’s F&F.

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

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

2. Well, blow me down! How t' convince an RSO t' launch it

3. Begad! Ahoy! How many pieces would it be in after a flight

For version 1.1, one o' me first steps was t' boil some corn (although clams or any other grub would work as well – or just plain water). Ahoy! Once t' water was boiling, matey, I placed t' 1/16” strip o' balsa (it was 2” x 12”) across t' pan. Begad! Blimey! Besides satisfyin' me hunger, I be also steamin' t' wood so I could bend it. Ya scallywag! Blimey! 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”). Ahoy! Aye aye! 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, shiver me timbers, with 3 pod tubes off o' this main. Blimey! I wanted t' use t' couplers to hold these pods. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Take t' 3 couplers (1 BT80 and 2 BT55) and draw lines t' length o' t' coupler on opposite sides (180 degrees apart). Begad! Begad! For t' BT80, matey, shiver me timbers, 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”. Avast, me proud beauty! Usin' stiff paper, connect t' marks on both sides. Aye aye! Aye aye! Usin' a sharp knife, cut along these lines.

Some other preparation work – take one o' t' 9” BT5 tubes. Make a mark 4.5” down from one end. Cut t' tube usin' this mark as t' center on an angle, shiver me timbers, ¼” above and below this position. Well, blow me down! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Epoxy a large plastic cap t' t' straight end o' each tube.

In addition, 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, arrr, I traced t' BT80 onto t' mailin' box and cut out t' circle. Avast! Then I drew a line that went through t' center. On here, I traced 2 circles, centered on t' line but t' edges separated by about 1/8”. Begad! I cut out these holes and dry fitted t' piece into t' BT80 and t' BT50 tubes into t' center circles. Blimey! Sand t' fit. Arrr! Once satisfied, matey, I used t' first piece as a template and made a second piece. Avast! T' two BT50 motor tubes had a 1/8” slit made 2 ½” from one end. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! Insert t' motor hook and secure with tape. Avast! Blimey! Slide t' motor tubes into t' two centerin' rings. Well, blow me down! 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! Let dry.

Take t' other 2 tongue depressors and make a mark 2 ½” from each end on t' edge. Begad! Draw a line connectin' t' marks. Cut t' tongue depressor apart on this diagonal line. Bevel t' cut edges and glue t' pieces back together t' create an angle. Begad! Blimey! Glue a toothpick into t' angle created.

For version 1.1, I made some standoffs. Aye aye! Cut 4 pieces o' balsa ½” x 1 ¼”. Arrr! Aye aye! Bevel one o' t' 1 ¼” edges on each piece. Ya scallywag! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Glue t' pieces together so t' bevels create a “V” channel

While t' version 1.1 was designed for a 3/16” rod, me bucko, me bucko, t' rocket be too heavy. T' version 1.2 was upgraded for ¼” rod. Since all I got be 1/8” launch lug material, matey, arrr, I had t' improvise. Blimey! Begad! Take 3 o' t' small skewers, cut 2 t' 7” and t' third t' 9” from t' pointed tip. Begad! Save t' cut off ends for future use. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! Glue the two 7” skewers t' a tongue depressor even with t' ends. Avast! Arrr! Let dry. Ya scallywag! Arrr! Cut t' ¼” dowel into two 6” sections. Glue these t' t' 7” skewers. Aye aye! Aye aye! 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”. Aye aye! 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. Ya scallywag! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! For version 1.1, me bucko, arrr, I planned t' eject t' parachutes from t' very top, but I ran into issues. Begad! Version 1.2 separates at the transition. Avast! Aye aye! First, me hearties, take t' plastic cup and cut about 1 1/8” diameter hole in t' top. Blimey! Slide t' cup over t' nose cone end. Ahoy! Ahoy! Adjust t' hole size until t' edge o' t' cup (with t' lip) is snug on t' nose cone. Arrr! Ya scallywag! Carefully, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, cut away the trim, me bucko, double check t' fit, matey, then glue t' cup over t' nose cone. Let dry.

This is how it looks when done

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

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

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

Since t' 1.1 version was t' be t' separation point for ejection, I did nay want this nose t' slide down, ya bilge rat, so I created a lip by cuttin' 2 launch lug sections, shiver me timbers, with t' tops cut at an angle, me hearties, t' t' BT20 tube in line with the pointed ends. 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, me bucko, but they smartly broke off. Arrr! Blimey! I would nay bother.

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

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

Back t' t' main section, ya bilge rat, me bucko, I slid t' larger BT80 coupler into t' BT80 tube with t' point even with t' end. Begad! 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. JINX! 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, but I found it t' be almost exactly 21 cm. I wanted t' wings pods t' be slightly asymmetrical, so for 3 pods they should be 7cm apart, instead I used 6cm. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! for t' 2 wings. Ahoy! I centered t' point with t' 6cm marks on t' point o' t' BT80 tube and marked t' tube. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Extend these lines t' length o' t' tube. Glue t' motor mount into t' BT80 so t' 2 tubes are perpendicular t' t' point.

Since me motor mount be 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. Arrr! Aye aye! Mark and glue t' BT80 couplers t' t' BT55 tube at 2 ¾” and 9 7/8” positions. Avast! 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. Arrr! Mark and glue this pod t' t' BT80 tube, me hearties, me hearties, again with t' end o' t' coupler 1” from t' end o' t' BT80 tube. Avast, me proud beauty! T' assist in t' stability, ya bilge rat, arrr, glue t' left over segments o' t' skewers (from t' launch lug) betwixt t' aft BT80 coupler and t' BT80 tube. Begad! Blimey! T' 4 ½” BT5 tubes glue betwixt t' front coupler and t' BT80 tube, alignin' t' angled cut with t' coupler. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! Glue t' BT55 nose cone t' t' front.

Once dry, shiver me timbers, matey, ya bilge rat, glue t' larger fins betwixt t' coupler sections on either side. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' make a nozzle for t' rudder, ya bilge rat, I sanded and roughed up t' 3 measuring/mixin' cups. I cut 2 circles (1 3/8” diameter) from t' mailin' box. Arrr! I beveled t' edge, matey, and then glued one circle into 2 o' t' cups, ya bilge rat, then glued t' cups together (all usin' epoxy). Avast, me proud beauty! Once dry, this glued into t' aft o' t' BT55 tube. This nozzle I left straight.

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

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

For version 1.1, t' bent balsa was attached t' t' fins on t' wings. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! T' V beveled standoffs were attached over the win' fins. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! A missile was made usin' t' last BT5 tube, t' fin can, t' display nozzle, and another small cap. Blimey! A missile rack was made with some ¼” x ¼” x 2” supports. Avast! Finally, me bucko, two 1” x 3” supports were made t' support t' missile. Ahoy! 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, me hearties, t' night before I left for NERRF I’m givin' this thin' a quick primer coat and 1 coat o' white. Arrr! 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. Arrr! Blimey! So, shiver me timbers, on Saturday, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, off t' NERRF 4 I went t' fly t' beast. Arrr! Begad! 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. As I was preppin' t' rocket, me bucko, I noticed t' parachutes were tight. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Blimey! This had me concerned. Avast, me proud beauty! I had not glued t' 80K t' t' BT80 (fortunately), me bucko, so I taped this joint. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Blimey! Installed 2 D12-3 engines and got through t' RSO (he did wince when I stated it only used two 12” parachutes). Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! While waitin' t' load, I had several comments askin' how I kept all t' small pieces on. Ya scallywag! I explained this was its first flight. Begad! Begad! Blimey! We called a heads up flight. Arrr! 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. Begad! My rocket sat on t' pad for over an hour. Aye aye! JINX! Finally, shiver me timbers, it launched. It danced a bit on t' pad – t' rocket weight was really too heavy for a 3/16’ rod. Aye aye! Also, me bucko, ya bilge rat, I thought t' 3/16” rods were 4’, but they were only 3’. Avast, me proud beauty! But, t' rocket went up nice and straight. Ahoy! Well, arrr, blow me down! But those tight chutes did nay come out. Begad! Aye aye! The tape at t' transition let go – crash. JINX!

I gathered up t' pieces. Ya scallywag! T' worst damage be t' wing. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! At least t' corn had tasted good.

As I previously stated, me hearties, shiver me timbers, 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. I cut off the standoffs for t' tongue depressors and mounted them upside down. Well, blow me down! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! It be also at this point when I changed t' t' shock cords t' connect at t' transition. Avast! So, arrr, I went back t' NERRF on Sunday. While loadin' t' engines, I had t' rocket leanin' against t' side o' me car. Begad! I had t' grab something, and it fell over and cracked a fin. Well, me hearties, blow me down! JINX! A quick glue repair and it be good t' go. I did nay have t' wait this time, possible since I was now on t' ¼” rods. Again, I requested a heads up. Begad! It launched beautifully straight, matey, but when t' chutes came out t' one for t' main section tangled on t' launch lug skewers and landed hard. Ya scallywag! JINX! But at least t' top came down gently, matey, me bucko, matey, and landed in one o' t' water filled irrigation ditches. Ahoy! JINX! JINX! JINX! Fortunately, me bucko, it was only t' very tip with t' epoxy/BB filling. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! There be some minor damage t' t' rocket, shiver me timbers, me bucko, but it was repairable. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! I was goin' t' give up, but then t' contest got extended a week, matey, arrr, just enough time for some repairs and painting. Begad! Aye aye!

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

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