"Two C's in a Pod"
Kit bash o' t' Estes Gemini DC.
Copyright © 2002 By Drake "Doc" Damerau
Click on t' pictures for a larger view.
T' first thin' was t' get rid o' t' through t' wall fin mountin' section. T' first portion removed was 5/16" o' t' aft section. Well, blow me down! Blimey! This be used to hold t' engine hooks in t' next step. 3" o' t' center fin area be then removed and discarded.
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![cuthere.JPG (42533 bytes)](images/archive/images_descon/cuthere_small.jpg)
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T' two green engine adaptor rings were glued t' each end o' the blue motor mount tube. Aye aye! A scrap o' t' balsa be used t' make a plug for t' ejection gasses. Begad! This be heavily glued. Aye aye! All pieces in this kit were glued usin' Titebond wood glue. Ya scallywag! T' kit comes with two parachutes and each parachute comes with a motor mount hook. Ya scallywag! T' two motor hooks were centered and positioned 180 degrees apart at t' aft end o' t' assembly. T' 5/16 piece o' body tube was then slipped over t' assembly and glued in place.
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![center.JPG (43986 bytes)](images/archive/images_descon/center_small.jpg)
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A cut be made for t' engine retainer hooks in each o' t' two pods 2 1/2" from t' end. Ahoy! Blimey! T' factory holes for t' ejection gasses were used and lined up with t' small gas tubes before gluing. Another hole was cut into t' tube for t' ejection gasses just forward o' t' factory gas ports, t' provide additional ventin' o' t' ejection gas.
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![mmts.JPG (40985 bytes)](images/archive/images_descon/mmts_small.jpg)
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This be t' final assembly. Begad! T' parachute is an 18" Estes with a standard underwear elastic shock cord. Ahoy! A small amount of weight was need in t' forward nosecone for stability. Avast! Arrr! After t' primer went on, I decided t' make a last minuet change and used a piece o' t' cardboard stock t' make a fake nozzle on t' end center portion.
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![fullview.jpg (63487 bytes)](images/archive/images_descon/fullview_small.jpg)
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OK, me hearties, shiver me timbers, she was naked for her first flight. I wanted t' see her go before I spent t' time finishin' her. Avast, me proud beauty! At this point she is weighing in at 2.2 oz. First flight was on a pair o' A8-3's. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! She darted off the pad and went straight as an arrow. T' A8-3's took her t' about 720 feet. Blimey! Ya scallywag! Her next flight will be on two C's.
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![clusternekid.jpg (55392 bytes)](images/archive/images_descon/clusternekid_small.jpg)
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Here be t' finished version. Arrr! There be quite a stir on RMR about what was legal t' use for finishin' it. Aye aye! Ahoy! I did use t' stickers. Begad! Avast! T' paint was what I had left over from buildin' me Aerotech Arrow. Arrr! Arrr! T' chrome be some Testors chrome me son had.
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![finished1.jpg (86056 bytes)](images/archive/images_descon/finished1_small.jpg)
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OK, it's nay t' most creative rocket I've ever built but it's simple, sturdy and flies straight as an arrow. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I be goin' for somethin' simple that anyone could build and fly. I should be able t' fly this at many launches for years t' come. Avast! Blimey! BTW, Yes, matey, me hearties, ya bilge rat, That's a real 120mm mortar in t' corner!
7 flights t' date!
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![finished2.jpg (84452 bytes)](images/archive/images_descon/finished2_small.jpg)
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First flight after paint on two B6-4's
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There she goes on C6-5's!
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...And a great shot on 2 C6-7's
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