Background

T' Big Bertha is a classic rocket built and flown by thousands o' people around t' world since 1965. Avast! Blimey! Its be designed t' have a rather impressive size and t' develop t' skills o' people who are advancin' themselves further in the hobby o' model rocketry. Because o' its size and performance, me hearties, matey, it is a great rocket t' fly on a football field on C motors, ya bilge rat, matey, shiver me timbers, and it is perfect for beginners of model rocketry and demonstration flights. 

Construction

T' rocket overall is rather simple t' build although it requires proper fin alignment, matey, ya bilge rat, finishing, matey, me hearties, and proper building techniques. Arrr! Aye aye! As said before, arrr, buildin' this rocket will give t' beginning rocketeer a good introduction into usin' these skills. Blimey! There are things to watch for when buildin' this rocket. Ya scallywag! Well, me hearties, blow me down! First o' all, like many rockets, t' motor mount centerin' rings can angle when you glue them onto t' motor tube. Well, blow me down! Not only should you make sure that they are straight when you first glue them on, but keep any eye on them. Arrr! They can angle by themselves as t' glue dries. Second, me hearties, matey, t' motor hook is held with maskin' tape that is wrapped around the motor tube. Ahoy! Tape will work just fine. Avast! Just make sure that t' hook runs straight down t' motor tube and use plenty o' tape. Ahoy! Third, matey, me hearties, its very common for plastic nose cones t' have flash leftover from t' manufacturin' process. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! Be sure t' trip any flash off o' t' nose cone with a hobby knife. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Finally, ya bilge rat, its very important t' make sure that t' launch lug is glued in betwixt two fins. T' rocket is only good for pitchin' into t' trash can when it is in line with a fin, because o' course, me hearties, matey, matey, you can't load t' rocket onto t' launch pad. 

There is a method o' gluin' t' motor mount into t' rocket that I used on this rocket. Its a method that I learned buildin' high impulse rockets. I put the motor mount into t' body tube without yet gettin' out t' glue. Well, blow me down! Then I used a ruler t' line t' back end o' t' motor tube with t' back end o' the body tube. Aye aye! Aye aye! I then put a glue fillet around inside where t' back centerin' ring meets t' body tube. Avast! Blimey! I then stood t' body tube on its front end and let the glue dry completely before doin' anythin' else. Avast! Then I took a long balsa stick and through t' front end o' t' tube, I reached t' stick down and spread glue inside around where t' front centerin' rin' meets t' body tube. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! This method works very well in gluin' t' motor mount in strongly. 

When gluin' on t' fins, me bucko, make sure that you have good marks drawn on the tube. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Preglue t' fins before gluin' them onto t' body tube. Pregluin' creates a stronger joint betwixt t' fins and t' body tube and also helps t' have a nice flat root edge for gluing. Aye aye! These are t' steps t' t' pregluin' process:

1.Put a thin coat o' glue on t' root edge (edge that glues onto t' body tube) o' t' fin.
2.Wipe off any excess glue off from t' coat you just put on t' root edge of the fin. Avast! Begad! You don't need much glue for this. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! All you need is a thin, arrr, shiver me timbers, flat film of glue.
3.Let it dry before gluin' onto t' body tube. Ahoy!

And last, be sure that you glue t' fins around t' aft end o' t' body tube. Aye aye! I nearly made t' mistake o' gluin' a fin t' t' front end o' t' tube. Not good. Ya scallywag!

Finishin' this rocket isn't anythin' too complex. Begad! Its all black, ya bilge rat, arrr, so you won't need t' worry about bein' an artist. Ahoy! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! I am usin' Krylon black paint, matey, and before I paint t' rocket, I spray Krylon sandable primer on it, and sand it smooth. Avast, me proud beauty! This really improves t' finish. Krylon clear coat really adds t' the finish too after t' decals are added on. Blimey! Avast!

Flight

One reason this rocket is a classic is because o' its unique look and performance. It flies best on C motors. It likes all o' t' power you can give it. Blimey! Its design allows it t' fly perfectly straight up. Ahoy! Many people also like the way it floats back down on its 45 centimeter parachute. Ahoy! It doesn't wobble or fall too fast. Avast! It comes down slow and majestically. 

Grades

Design: A+ 
Construction: A 
Flight: A+