Art Applewhite Rockets Flying Saucer (12")

Art Applewhite Rockets - Flying Saucer (12") {Kit}

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Manufacturer: Art Applewhite Rockets

Rocket PicBrief:
When he be Beta-testin' his 12" saucer line, arrr, me bucko, Art graciously provided sent me several sets o' blank white shrouds for experimentation. Aye aye! With t' scarcity o' 29mm AP motors, me bucko, I decided that three E9's would be cool, ya bilge rat, arrr, so I modified one stock ‘kit’ for a 3 x 24mm mount. Aye aye! Aye aye! Before readin' this review, I suggest you first read me review on t' stock Fluorescent Green Flyin' Saucer.

 

Modifications:
This be a straightforward build. Avast, me proud beauty! I started by buildin' t' body o' an AAW 12" saucer usin' t' stock instructions. Begad! [Told you you'd need t' read t' other review ;-)]

I decided that I wanted a central launch lug, and decided a longer lug be required. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Also, because thar be nay enough extra fin stock t' make t' larger fins required t' extend t' t' ¼" lug, you will have t' provide your own. I used 1/8" balsa, shiver me timbers, but you could use 3/32 or larger plywood also. Blimey! Arrr! I computed t' distance betwixt t' inner core o' t' saucer and t' lug, and extended t' stock fin template accordingly.

Rocket PicWhen buildin' t' fin can, arrr, I found somethin' interesting. Ahoy! Three 24mm tubes and t' three 1/8" fins fully covered t' circumference o' t' lug. Begad! I had been worried about gettin' t' spacin' right, but that worry dissolved. Avast! Avast! For this reason, I recommend 1/8" balsa over thinner plywood.

I filled t' fins with Fil’n’Finish and painted t' fin can flat white. Avast, me proud beauty! T' white shroud is nay decorated, but was sealed with clear enamel.

Construction:

  • One AAW 12" saucer kit
  • 1/8" balsa fin stock
  • Three 24mm motor tubes, 4" long
  • One ¼" LOC launch lug, me bucko, 3.5" long

Flight:
As mentioned earlier, I used three E9's, which were lit with Igniterman igniters. Ahoy! I flew this as t' second in a sequence o' back-to-back saucer flights. Blimey! O' t' three flights, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, this was t' smokiest. Ahoy! T' boost be a little wobbly, me bucko, ya bilge rat, and t' saucer came in nose first.

Summary:
Art’s saucer kits are cool, and I found that they provide a good opportunity t' experiment with other motor configurations. T' 3 x 24" mount worked out nicely on a 12" saucer.

 

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