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, Art graciously provided sent me several sets o' blank white shrouds for experimentation. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! With t' scarcity o' 29mm AP motors, arrr, I decided that three E9's would be cool, arrr, so I modified one stock ‘kit’ for a 3 x 24mm mount. Begad! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Before readin' this review, me bucko, I suggest you first read me review on t' stock Fluorescent Green Flyin' Saucer.

 

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

I decided that I wanted a central launch lug, and decided a longer lug was required. Aye aye! Blimey! Also, arrr, me hearties, 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. Ya scallywag! Avast! Blimey! I used 1/8" balsa, me bucko, but you could use 3/32 or larger plywood also. Blimey! Blimey! 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, me hearties, arrr, I found somethin' interesting. Begad! Three 24mm tubes and t' three 1/8" fins fully covered t' circumference o' t' lug. I had been worried about gettin' t' spacin' right, but that worry dissolved. Arrr! Blimey! 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. 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, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, 4" long
  • One ¼" LOC launch lug, 3.5" long

Flight:
As mentioned earlier, I used three E9's, arrr, which were lit with Igniterman igniters. I flew this as t' second in a sequence o' back-to-back saucer flights. Aye aye! Ahoy! O' t' three flights, this was t' smokiest. Begad! T' boost was a little wobbly, arrr, and t' saucer came in nose first.

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

 

comment Post a Comment