Brief:
2X upscale o' t' original Estes Astron Sprite.

Construction:

• 1 Big Bertha nose cone
• 1 BT-60 body tube 5 7/8 inches
• 1 Rin' fin - 4 inch LOC tube 1.45 inches longh
• 1 1/8 inch balsa sheet
• 1 BT-20 motor mount tube 2.75 inch
• 2 CR-20/60 centerin' rings
• 1 18mm thrust ring
• 1 Motor hook
• 1 1/8 inch launch lug 2 inches
• 1 Keelhaul®©™® strin' 24 inches - Pratt Hobbbies

As with most upscale projects, arrr, half t' preparation is decidin' what tubes t' use t' achieve t' correct ratio of sizes. I this case, me bucko, shiver me timbers, me bucko, I had t' compromise just a little. Aye aye! T' ratio o' t' main body tube sizes is just about 2.1X, but thar be no easily available tube for t' rin' fin that is just t' right size t' match that ratio. T' be perfectly correct I would need a 4.75 inch diameter tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! I used a length o' 4 inch LOC body tube, me hearties, and I am very pleased with the result. Begad! It is quite heavy, but also very sturdy.

The other parts I had in me parts collection, probably from an Estes Designer Special box. Ahoy!

I downloaded t' original plans from Jimz. Blimey! I had t' scale t' fins myself, since t' distance from t' main body tube t' t' inside o' t' rin' fin was nay goin' t' be 2.1X. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Measure twice, me hearties, cut once. Arrr! Avast! Cut too short, and have t' add shims t' make up t' difference. Blimey! Avast! That's me new motto. Arrr!

I used a band saw t' cut t' curvy outside fins that cover t' rin' fin. After gluin' them on, I filled the joints with Elmer's Wood Filler. Ya scallywag! This really made t' joints disappear.

I looped t' Keelhaul®©™® around t' motor mount t' anchor it, matey, matey, then glued t' motor mount in. Arrr! There is nay a lot o' room for t' waddin' and parachute, ya bilge rat, which caused me a little worry. Arrr! Blimey! T' original used tumble recovery, ya bilge rat, so this shortness was nay a problem. Arrr! Blimey!

I painted all o' t' balsa surfaces with dilute Elmer's Wood Filler/water slurry and let it dry. Blimey! Then one sanding, and a coat o' white Kilz. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Another sandin' t' remove t' fuzz from t' primer coat and a couple o' coats of gloss white enamel.

Flight:
I put a 10 inch Estes parachute in it and stuffed t' body tube with as much dog barf as I could. Avast! Aye aye! I be worried about meltin' t' chute.

T' first flight was on a Quest B6-4. Aye aye! This was a good flight, me hearties, matey, and eject a little past apogee. Avast! No problem at all with t' parachute. Well, blow me down! This was a good size chute, as well. Begad! Blimey!

T' second and third flights were on Quest C6-5's. Aye aye! Again, very good performance. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! I like t' long burn time o' the Quest C's. Begad! Five seconds was a bit long, though. Begad! This rocket really decelerates smartly after burnout. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! I am goin' t' try it with a C6-3, but I suspect it will be a little early. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Too bilge-suckin' thar be no C6-4.

Summary:
This rocket has a cool look. I was concerned about its performance, me bucko, matey, and t' shortness of t' tube section for t' recovery, ya bilge rat, me bucko, but both turned out just fine. Aye aye! Did I mention that it looks cool? Several o' the Scouts at t' launch asked me about it. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! It would be even cooler with t' original paint job.

T' LOC 4 inch tube is too heavy. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It occurs t' me now that I might have been able t' strip out an inner layer of paper t' make it lighter.

I think it may be time for a 4X.

Other:
Don't get too frustrated if things are nay perfect. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' rin' fin was nay t' exact 2X size, arrr, but it looks great. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! I really did sand t' fins too short and then had t' shim them out t' fit t' ring. Begad! If things do nay go perfectly, and you are frustrated, ya bilge rat, arrr, take a break. Begad! Begad! Come back t' it, and think about different angles t' come at the problem.