Background

T' Big Bertha is a classic rocket built and flown by thousands o' people around t' world since 1965. Aye aye! Aye aye! Its was 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. Arrr! Because o' its size and performance, me hearties, it is a great rocket t' fly on a football field on C motors, 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, ya bilge rat, finishing, me bucko, and proper building techniques. As said before, me bucko, buildin' this rocket will give t' beginning rocketeer a good introduction into usin' these skills. Aye aye! There are things to watch for when buildin' this rocket. Arrr! Begad! First o' all, like many rockets, t' motor mount centerin' rings can angle when you glue them onto t' motor tube. 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, me bucko, me bucko, t' motor hook is held with maskin' tape that is wrapped around the motor tube. Tape will work just fine. Avast! Blimey! Just make sure that t' hook runs straight down t' motor tube and use plenty o' tape. Begad! Third, shiver me timbers, its very common for plastic nose cones t' have flash leftover from t' manufacturin' process. Ya scallywag! Be sure t' trip any flash off o' t' nose cone with a hobby knife. Begad! Finally, me hearties, 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, me bucko, ya bilge rat, because o' course, 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. Well, blow me down! Begad! Blimey! I put the motor mount into t' body tube without yet gettin' out t' glue. Then I used a ruler t' line t' back end o' t' motor tube with t' back end o' the body tube. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! Blimey! I then put a glue fillet around inside where t' back centerin' ring meets t' body tube. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! Blimey! I then stood t' body tube on its front end and let the glue dry completely before doin' anythin' else. Then I took a long balsa stick and through t' front end o' t' tube, ya bilge rat, I reached t' stick down and spread glue inside around where t' front centerin' rin' meets t' body tube. 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. Arrr! Preglue t' fins before gluin' them onto t' body tube. Aye aye! Pregluin' creates a stronger joint betwixt t' fins and t' body tube and also helps t' have a nice flat root edge for gluing. Blimey! Begad! 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. Begad! Avast! You don't need much glue for this. Blimey! Ahoy! All you need is a thin, flat film of glue.
3.Let it dry before gluin' onto t' body tube. Avast! Well, blow me down! Blimey!

And last, shiver me timbers, be sure that you glue t' fins around t' aft end o' t' body tube. I nearly made t' mistake o' gluin' a fin t' t' front end o' t' tube. Not good.

Finishin' this rocket isn't anythin' too complex. Aye aye! Its all black, so you won't need t' worry about bein' an artist. I am usin' Krylon black paint, me bucko, shiver me timbers, and before I paint t' rocket, shiver me timbers, I spray Krylon sandable primer on it, and sand it smooth. This really improves t' finish. Aye aye! Aye aye! Krylon clear coat really adds t' the finish too after t' decals are added on. Arrr! Ya scallywag!

Flight

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

Grades

Design: A+ 
Construction: A 
Flight: A+