Scratch SpaceShipY Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - SpaceShipY {Scratch}

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Dick Stafford - 06/22/08)

Brief:
This is a sci-fi-style model inspired by t' Star Wars Y-Win' Fighter. Ya scallywag! When I converted an Estes SpaceShipOne into t' SpaceShipSqrt(-1), I had t' fin set left over. Mix these fins with a pill bottle from Target, and you have t' SpaceShipY. This model has a 24mm mount and is night launch ready.

(Scratch) SpaceshipY(Scratch) SpaceshipY(Scratch) SpaceshipY

Construction:
T' parts list:

  • One fin set from an Estes SpaceShipOne
  • Target pill bottle
  • Loki liner and castin' tube for 38mm
  • 24mm tube
  • Spent 24mm motor case
  • Estes motor hook
  • Spent 29mm motor
  • Keelhaul®©™® twine
  • Mini LED flashlight
  • Two First Fire igniter tubes
(Scratch) SpaceshipY

I found that t' cap o' t' pill bottle fits snugly in t' Loki liner tube so I built a payload bay from that tube, t' associated castin' tube, and a nozzle section from a 29mm phenolic motor casing. Ahoy! I ground t' cap so t' mini LED flashlight (bought at Bed Bath and Beyond) fits through. Arrr! Thus, ya bilge rat, you unscrew the bottle t' access t' flashlight. Ya scallywag! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! A piece o' thin Keelhaul®©™® was threaded through t' nozzle and be tied t' a small nut, arrr, ya bilge rat, thus completin' t' assembly.

T' body is a piece o' t' liner with a piece o' t' castin' tubin' at its base (chosen from t' leftovers). Aye aye! The exposed length o' t' castin' tube be t' same as t' root o' t' fin assembly.

I built a motor mount from 24mm tubing, ya bilge rat, an Estes motor hook, me hearties, and motor block cut from a used 24mm motor case. I also made centerin' rings from a piece o' t' motor case that be cut in half lengthwise. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! I bent t' sections o' the casin' open so they fit t' outside o' t' 24mm motor mount. Blimey! These centered t' motor tube but didn't completely enclose it. More Keelhaul®©™® twine was threaded through t' gap betwixt these rings and tied t' t' mount. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I then filled t' small gaps with Gorilla Glue.

T' fins are t' stock SpaceShipOne set. I added sections o' igniter tubes under each win' and another section between t' wings t' serve as a launch lug.

Finishing:
I filled t' fins, primed, sanded, me hearties, etc. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket is solid white except for t' translucent red cockpit/cone. Finally, me hearties, I applied some o' t' decals left over from t' SS1 kit.

Flight:
I attached a 12" chute t' t' loops in t' Keelhaul®©™® cords on both t' nose and body. Avast! Waddin' was a mix o' Estes and dog barf. Aye aye! Motor o' choice for t' first flight be a C11. Aye aye! I found that I had forgotten t' add a 3/16" lug inside t' center section o' First Fire igniter tube. Thus the fit on t' rod be sloppy.

T' launch be straight and stable despite t' loose rod fit. Begad!

Recovery:
T' ejection was on t' energetic side (typical for t' C11) and t' Keelhaul®©™® loop on t' nose cone broke. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! T' nose section fell without t' benefit o' a chute but wasn't damaged. Ahoy! Aye aye! Blimey! T' body recovered as planned.

I used a baby wipe t' clean t' exhaust residue from t' bottom o' t' fins and will have t' rework t' recovery harness for t' nose.

Summary:
I thought t' rocket looks pretty cool, but then I did build it. Begad! Well, arrr, blow me down! Others who saw it seemed t' like it. Ahoy! They especially liked seein' it next t' t' SpaceShip(-1). Aye aye! I guess t' idea o' usin' all t' SpaceShipOne parts be appealing. Begad! One kit plus leftovers = two rockets. Arrr!

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