Art Applewhite Rockets 13mm Six (Plan) Plan

Art Applewhite Rockets - 13mm Six {Plan}

Contributed by Todd Mullin

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 0.60 inches
Manufacturer: Art Applewhite Rockets
Style: Paper

Brief:
aaw_13mm_sixT' Six is another great free downloadable paper rocket available from Art Applewhite Rockets. Begad! It is a 13mm streamer or tumble recovery model that requires some fairly good craftsmanship skills. Arrr! If you have never tried t' construct a paper model (or fold origami) you might be better off startin' with another one o' Art's free download.

Construction:
There are very few materials required t' build this rocket. Begad! T' pattern is printed on 110lb card stock or poster board. Ya scallywag! Also required are:

  • 24" o' 1/8" elastic cord
  • 2 paperclips
  • streamer material
  • cellophane tape
  • 5 minute epoxy
  • an x-acto with a new blade
  • metal straight edge
  • white glue
There are 4 pages o' instructions t' download as well as t' paper model patterns. Avast, me proud beauty! They are easy t' read, well laid out and include photos o' t' construction o' t' model.

T' first page o' t' instructions gives tips for buildin' paper models and makes recommendations about where t' purchase your buildin' supplies.

aaw_13mm_six_motormountOn t' next page actual construction begins. Well, blow me down! Blimey! As with most rockets, me bucko, this starts with t' motor mount. For this plan, it is cut out and folded into a six sided box that is partially closed on t' front end. Ya scallywag! Next one o' t' paper clips is bent into t' hook pattern provided on t' plans and glued t' t' mount.

T' fin can is next t' be assembled, though I use this term loosely as it is only one piece! This fin can is a work o' genius. Begad! Well, blow me down! By scorin' and foldin' as directed, t' flat pattern is transformed into a three-fin fin can without makin' any cuts in it! After foldin' and gluing, t' fin can is slid over and glued t' t' motor mount.

T' body tube is cut out next. Arrr! T' shock cord mount and launch lug are integral t' t' body tube. Avast! T' shock cord is woven into t' mount with a tab glued in place over top o' it.

After attachin' t' shock cord t' t' body tube it is set aside t' dry and t' two part nose cone is cut out and assembled. Begad! T' cone is a sharp, angular conical design. Begad! Avast! T' shoulder is formed into a six sided box that is tabbed on t' top. Avast, me proud beauty! After foldin' each section, arrr, arrr, t' shoulder is glued into t' cone. T' complete t' assembly o' t' nose cone, shiver me timbers, it is filled with 5 minute epoxy and gets t' other paperclip inserted into t' epoxy t' anchor t' shock cord. Arrr! This set must be done as it provides t' nose weight required for t' model t' be stable.

T' body tube is probably t' most challengin' part o' t' build. Begad! T' directions should be read through and followed carefully. Arrr! Aye aye! After t' part is cut out, me hearties, arrr, it must be carefully scored and folded with a straight edge. Ya scallywag! Gettin' perfectly straight folds that aren't rippled can be a challenge. Well, blow me down! Luckily, arrr, if you goof you can always print another body tube out! T' body tube is then fit and glued t' t' fin can, t' streamer is tied t' t' shock cord and t' shock cord t' t' cured nose cone and construction is complete!

Finishing:
T' only finishin' recommended in t' instructions is an optional coatin' o' t' body tube and fins with CA glue t' stiffen them. Well, blow me down! Blimey! After this, matey, shoot a couple o' coats o' clear enamel on t' rocket t' protect it from moisture if you want. Arrr! On me original model, I didn't do this as San Diego usually isn't too damp. Begad! Coloration o' t' model can be done by printin' t' patterns out on colored paper, so no paintin' is required!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' bent paperclip motor hook works well and insertin' t' motor is easy. Blimey! I packed a bit o' dog barf waddin' went in before t' streamer and t' Six is ready t' go!

T' A10-3T is one o' me favorite motors, me hearties, so I always have a good supply o' them in me motor box. Begad! Begad! T' Six really gets up and moves on this motor. Without a fairly large flyin' field, matey, this will probably be too much motor for this small lightweight rocket. Arrr! T' boost was nice and straight, matey, weather cockin' slightly towards t' top.

Recovery:
For t' first flight, shiver me timbers, t' streamer deployed perfectly. I then gave t' Six t' one o' t' 4H kids that I was flyin' with as she had lost her rocket. She got an additional two flights on t' airframe. Begad! On t' last flight, me bucko, she probably packed in too much waddin' or didn't fold t' streamer tight enough. Begad! T' nose cone failed t' deploy on t' flight and t' model got a few extra folds in t' body tube when it hit t' ground. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' body tube is fairly tight and can be challengin' t' get t' recovery system installed correctly.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
Overall, you get a great little rocket from this set o' plans if you work carefully and take your time. Blimey! As t' materials required t' build t' Six are extremely inexpensive you can build an entire fleet o' them for a couple o' dollars. This is nay a beginner's rocket but it doesn't take a rocket scientist either. Probably nay a great choice for small children but it would be okay for older kids with some papercraft experience. While I didn't make any flights on t' smaller recommended motors, t' 1/2A motors should give you a good flight.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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