Scratch Transkelion Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Transkelion {Scratch}

Contributed by Glenn Roth

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Glenn Roth - 04/19/09)

Brief:
This is me box o' parts entry. Blimey! Blimey! Single stage rocket with small cargo bay and parachute recovery. Aye aye! Blimey! (Parts were sent to me, all but DVD and medicine bottle, me hearties, which were "bonus parts.)"

Construction:
Because I be workin' with miscellaneous pieces, I used 2 BT30s and a medicine bottle as a payload section. Avast, me proud beauty! Bottom was cut off and turned around t' become top t' accept nose cone. Ya scallywag! Begad! 4 tube fins, me hearties, mounted on struts. Begad! Balsa and cardboard design with a transducer type engine mount, matey, me hearties, BT-20 motor mount, 18 "elastic shock cord," attached t' a screw eye in payload section. Unique feature be t' "DVD" center mounted wing.

I'm goin' t' rate this build a 3.5. Arrr! Cuttin' out t' sections on t' struts, t' make it look like struts was a little tricky. T' mountin' o' t' tube fins t' t' struts and t' fin/strut assembly t' t' main body be a little tricky, ya bilge rat, too. Well, blow me down! I do recommend a separation o' t' main rocket and fin assembly for ease o' assembly. Well, me bucko, blow me down! I also used a hard coat Modge Podge t' protect decals and finish.

Finishing:
Made a boat tail t' house motor. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Cut struts from balsa t' hold tube fins.

Flight:
I'm goin' t' try a Quest A6-4 for first motor.

Flight 1: A6-4 way underpowered. Barely got off ground and broke a strut.

Flight 2: After repairin' fin strut, arrr, I went with a B6-4. Well, blow me down! Started out nice then got all kinds o' unstable. Crashed and broke 3 fin assemblies.

I will have t' take apart nose t' add some weight, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, repair fin struts, shiver me timbers, and check for stability with a swin' test before next flight.

Recovery:
Shock cord was quite heavy, 3/8", and attached t' inside o' rocket body. Avast! Begad! Assembly be straightforward, just a little tedious t' attach t' struts t' fin tubes.

Summary:
PROs: Nice little rocket and a bit o' challenge t' build so nay your typical build. Arrr! Skill level 2-3. CONs: Because of the extra joints with t' tube fins and struts, matey, matey, care needs t' be taken and heavy fillets added.

comment Post a Comment