Brief:

Conversion o' Lansbergen Delta II t' fly on 18mm motors. Avast! Arrr! T' particular Delta II that I chose t' model was Delta 7920-8 247, launcher o' t' solar observation satellite ACE. T' plans are available on t' Caltech web site.

Modifications:

T' model is a 10 page PDF file. I printed t' 3 pages o' instructions on regular paper, arrr, t' 3 sheets o' boosters be printed on 65lb cardstock, me bucko, and t' remainin' pages were printed on 110lb cardstock. For t' main tubes, I used full width tabs so t' body be double thickness. It turned out that BT-50 body tube was perfect for t' couplers. Begad! I made an 18mm engine mount with CR2050P centerin' rings. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' rings were spaced t' exactly line up with t' booster mountin' holes. Blimey! T' body sections were joined and t' motor mount was glued in. Ya scallywag! Holes were drilled through t' booster mountin' holes and almost through t' centerin' rings. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! 18 dowels made from round toothpicks were cut t' 5/8" each and glued into t' booster mountin' holes. Avast, me proud beauty! T' booster tubes were rolled double thickness and t' holes on t' booster were opened up. Blimey! Well, arrr, blow me down! I poked a pin through t' hole location and open them up with a round toothpick. Avast, me proud beauty! T' booster tubes were glued onto t' dowels with t' dowel goin' all t' way t' t' opposite inside wall and glued there. Arrr! T' booster nose cones and exhaust nozzles were rolled and attached. Avast! Boosters 4, matey, 5, and 6 have a larger exhaust nozzle so take care when attachin' them. Ya scallywag! T' main nose cone was rolled and a nose cone shoulder was rolled from double thickness 110lb stock. Aye aye! I made t' shoulder 1" long so thar would be plenty o' room for nose weight. Avast, me proud beauty! I used a standard paper shock cord mount on each end o' t' 36" shock cord. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! I used a 12" chute made from a plastic table cloth. I didn't know where t' CG should be so I took an educated guess and balanced it just forward o' t' boosters. Well, blow me down! I then did a swin' test and it turned out that it was stable at that balance point. Begad! Aye aye! I put a C6-5 into t' mount and added enough clay t' t' nose t' brin' t' balance point back t' t' previously determined location. It took .7oz o' clay t' balance which brought t' all up weight t' 2.0 oz. A couple o' coats o' clear were sprayed on and it be done. Well, blow me down! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty!

Construction:

T' followin' is a list o' materials that I used in t' construction.

Finishing:

Everythin' was pre-printed and only a couple coats o' clear were required.

Flight:

Based on t' weight, me hearties, I determined that an A8-3, B6-4, me hearties, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, or C6-5 would be appropriate. Aye aye! T' day o' t' first launch be as ideal a day as one could ask for: sunny blue skies, ya bilge rat, temperature in t' 70's, and almost a complete lack o' wind with occasional gusts t' 5mph or less. Blimey! I chose a B6-4 for t' first flight. T' motor mount has an engine hook so no tape be needed. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I used "dog barf" for wadding. I be a little apprehensive because o' t' lack o' fins but t' flight be perfectly straight. Well, blow me down! T' rocket be easy t' follow and ejection was just about at apogee.

Recovery:

T' recovery on t' 12" chute be slightly faster than I would have liked considerin' all t' boosters stickin' out. Aye aye! It was flown in a corn field and it happened t' hit a corn stalk upon landin' and knocked one o' t' boosters loose. T' damage was minor and was easily repaired. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! I didn't fix it until I got home so I could inspect all t' booster attachments. Begad! Aye aye! Blimey! T' rest were all solid. Aye aye! Blimey! I think I will switch t' a 14" chute for t' next flight.

Summary:

I am really happy with t' end result. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket was nay difficult t' build for anyone with a little cardstock modelin' experience. T' price was right (read: free), matey, me bucko, and when completed, shiver me timbers, me bucko, you have a good representation o' a rocket that is nay often modeled.