Scratch Mach Buster 1 Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Mach Buster 1 {Scratch}

Contributed by Neil Thompson

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Neil Thompson (age 12) - 09/10/03)

Brief:
This is a single staged HPR capable rocket. Begad! It can use anythin' from a big E to a J570. Begad! It can easily break Mach 1 on an H, me bucko, and can reach Mach 2 on a J.

Rocket Pic

Construction:
T' Mach Buster 1 uses a fiberglassed phenolic airframe, PML solid urethane nose, Acme fin can and launch lugs, ya bilge rat, Keelhaul®©™® heat shield and shock cord, a Slimline circle rin' motor retainer, shiver me timbers, and an optional Slimline motor adapter. Arrr! I suppose you could put a payload section on for altimeters and dual deployment.

This be a very easy build. I used 2-ton epoxy throughout. Aye aye! I got all the parts besides t' nose cone and fiberglass cloth from Giant Leap Rocketry. The nose cone I got from PML, t' fiberglass I got from a hobby shop. Begad! After I fiberglassed t' tube, arrr, t' fin can fit exactly. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! T' launch lugs liked t' slide around while t' epoxy is drying, me bucko, but other wise it be easy. Well, blow me down! T' fins needed no alignment, me hearties, besides linin' up with t' launch lug. Avast, me proud beauty! I taped and epoxied the shock cord t' t' body tube. Begad! After I completed t' construction I painted it red and black. Ahoy! Red on t' fins, and red on t' nose cone, but black on t' body tube and part o' t' fin can and Slimline. Avast! Overall, matey, this is a very sturdy rocket — it could survive a tar landin' easily.

Rocket pic Flight:
I still have nay flown this, but I am plannin' on flyin' it on labor day 2003. T' first flight will be on an F50-9T, arrr, ya bilge rat, t' next on a G35-7W, and t' next on an F20-7W. Avast, me proud beauty! I put in a home made parachute. Arrr! Begad! It is a very large parachute, me bucko, but I will reef it on breezy days. Begad! Ya scallywag! It is over stable, accordin' t' Rock-Sim and SpaceCAD. Avast! All simulations show straight flights, arrr, high (approx. Begad! 3250' on F’s and G’s), matey, and fast, despite t' weight.

I got two flights in on this rocket on labor day 2003. T' first flight for this rocket be also me first blue thunder propellant motor, and I was rather impressed by t' performance. It could have had more smoke, me bucko, me bucko, however. Ya scallywag! T' motor was an F50-9T. T' second flight was a G35-7W, and it flew like t' wind! And that is sayin' something, arrr, ya bilge rat, considerin' t' gusts there! At least thar are seemingly endless blueberry barrens for t' rockets t' land in. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Both flights were straight as an arrow. It had a Keelhaul®©™® heat sheild, matey, eliminatin' t' need for wadding. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Blimey! I also installed a Slimline motor retainer t' hold me motor in. Avast! Blimey! This worked very well. Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! There be no damage to t' parachute after either flight, however, matey, one o' t' shroud lines on the parachute got tangled in t' screw eye that I used t' attach t' shock cord to the nose cone, causin' a tumble recovery. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Hardly even had a scratch in the paint. Arrr! Blimey! This is such a rugged rocket. Begad! Anythin' else that size fallin' from that height I would expect t' crumple. Ya scallywag! Blimey!

Summary:
Tough as anything. Arrr! Aye aye! I suspect that thin' could be hit by lightnin' and survive, or at least it could be stepped on or kicked around.

Pros: I love this rocket. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I consider it a work o' art. Aye aye! Blimey! It is easily the best o' me fleet (that is sayin' something). Begad! Blimey! It goes high and fast, me hearties, can survive hard landings, and requires zero fin alignment (A definite + for me! Blimey! I hate alignin' surface mounts on large rockets). Well, blow me down! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Easy build.

Cons: Price. Aye aye! $80. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! OUCH if you are 12, and I should know. Worth every penny though.

Other:
DO NOT LEAVE THE AIRFRAME SITTING ON A PICNIC TABLE WHILE THE EPOXY AND FIBERGLASS IS SETTING! Blimey! YOUR MOTHER (or wife) WILL NOT LIKE IT.. Avast! I learned that the hard way. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It took a lot o' sandpaper t' get it nice again.

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