Estes Spaceman Spiff

Scratch - Spaceman Spiff {Modification}

Contributed by Glenn Roth

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Glenn Roth - 08/27/09) (MODS) Spaceman Spiff

Brief:
3-parallel staged Bullpup 12 Ds powered by 18mm motors.

Modifications:
After several cataclysmic failures, me hearties, me bucko, ya bilge rat, I can tell you a challengin' rocket t' build and a fun rocket t' fly. Aye aye! Best suggestion I have is t' "stack" several pieces o' 1/8 x 1/4" plywood for standoffs. Begad! Use epoxy. Blimey! If you go t' YouTube and look up "NARAM 51 first," you will see what happens when you use balsa standoffs.

I printed t' decals on standard color printer paper, coated t' rocket in Modge Podge hard coat, arrr, placed printout on it, and coated it again. I can't tell difference.

Construction and Finishing:
T' additional parts used were 3 BT-30s, matey, ya bilge rat, 4 fins, ya bilge rat, 6" BT-50 clear payload tube, matey, shiver me timbers, matey, and "Spiff" (any action figure that fits in payload for ballast).

Here's t' expensive part: you need 3 Bullpup 12 D's, ya bilge rat, me hearties, which even at a good price will set you back $35+. However, you can always buy parts separately, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, although that isn't very cost effective. Blimey! Well, me hearties, blow me down! I love this parallel staged model!

(MODS) Spaceman Spiff(MODS) Spaceman Spiff

(MODS) Spaceman Spiff(MODS) Spaceman Spiff

(MODS) Spaceman Spiff(MODS) Spaceman Spiff

Flight and Recovery:
Stay with B6-0s in outside boosters and B6-2 in main for 1st flight. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Don't forget screws in nosecone o' payload section, ya bilge rat, a good clip whip, and t' friction fit motors with plenty o' tape.

I used Quest Q2 igniters. Ya scallywag! If one motor doesn't light, ya bilge rat, you will end up like I did and pull launch rod right out of pad! I used an 18" chute with spill hole for this heavy baby.

Summary:
PROs: Very impressive flight, ya bilge rat, especially at night!

CONs: You must make "standoffs" as sturdy as possible, arrr, shiver me timbers, that's why I suggested "stacked plywood".

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