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, I can tell you a challengin' rocket t' build and a fun rocket t' fly. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! Best suggestion I have is t' "stack" several pieces o' 1/8 x 1/4" plywood for standoffs. Ya scallywag! Use epoxy. Ahoy! 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, matey, shiver me timbers, coated t' rocket in Modge Podge hard coat, arrr, ya bilge rat, me bucko, placed printout on it, and coated it again. Blimey! I can't tell difference. Begad! Blimey!

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

Here's t' expensive part: you need 3 Bullpup 12 D's, me bucko, which even at a good price will set you back $35+. Ahoy! However, you can always buy parts separately, me hearties, although that isn't very cost effective. Blimey! 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. Arrr! 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. Avast! If one motor doesn't light, arrr, shiver me timbers, 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, arrr, shiver me timbers, me bucko, especially at night!

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

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