Scratch MicroFoam DARockeT Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - MicroFoam DARockeT {Scratch}

Contributed by Scott Turnbull

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Scott Turnbull)

The StartBrief:
Converted a Generic Foam Dart t' MicroMaxx Power. I hereby dub thee a MicroFoam DARockeT.

Modifications:
A length o' barrel was cut from a round pen t' form a motor mount tube. Avast! Two 1/8" wide centerin' rings were cut from t' "A" casing. Arrr! T' tube was wrapped in maskin' tape until t' rings were a snug fit. Avast, me proud beauty! T' centering rings were CA'd t' t' MMT. Arrr! T' end plug from t' pen was inserted into t' MMT to provide blockage for positive engine ejection. T' MMT was CA'd into the tail o' t' foam dart. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! T' forward third o' t' dart was cut off with a razor knife t' provide access for nose weight. Blimey! A 1" length o' "A" casin' was used as a coupler o' t' dart tip t' t' tail section. Begad! Well, blow me down! A length of ink tube from t' pen be cut and taped t' t' side o' t' MicroFoam DARockeT to serve as a launch lug.

Construction:
This Custom Modification includes:

  • Generic 4.5" hollow foam dart with fins
  • Round Barreled BallPoint Pen
  • Spent "A" Class Engine Casin'
  • CA Glue
  • Clay
  • Cellophane and Maskin' Tape

Assembly 1Aseembly 2

Motor MountThis was a seemingly simple conversion, me hearties, shiver me timbers, but nay without its challenges. T' centerin' rings were so narrow that they started t' unwrap durin' handling. Blimey! They were kept small t' reduce the overall weight and optimize performance from t' MicroMaxx engines. Ahoy! Gluin' the forward rin' in place within t' main body be unreliable, so extra CA be used to bond t' aft rin' thoroughly t' t' foam tube. T' ink tube launch lug was a perfect diameter for t' MicroMaxx Launch System Rod. Ahoy! Findin' a glue t' hold the slick lug t' t' foam proved problematic, but a piece o' cellophane tape made for a secure mount.

On PadLaunchFlight:
T' new, arrr, more powerful, MicroMaxx Motors were used. Avast, me proud beauty! These are listed as 300 Mil N-Sec, and claim 120 feet Max Altitude. Ahoy! This proved too much thrust for a MicroFoam DARockeT without additional nose weight. Blimey! It rose about 10 feet and flopped about before ejectin' t' engine and safely executin' a Boink recovery. Clay was used t' fill t' "A" casin' nose coupler, and a second launch yielded a stable thrust with a slight arc-over. T' engine ejected, ya bilge rat, and the DARockeT coasted t' spec-bustin' altitude. T' DARockeT crossed over the road and landed on t' neighbors front stoop. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! T' nose piece separated during the Boink maneuver. For t' third flight, ya bilge rat, a piece o' cellophane tape be used to bind t' tip t' t' tail. Blimey! Another stable thrust and ejection sent the DARockeT soarin' over t' neighborin' trees. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! T' streamlined nature o' the BOINK recovery system allowed t' DARockeT t' slide through t' dense foliage and land unharmed.

Summary:
In summary, this modification explores t' top end o' t' performance envelope defined by MicroMaxx Motors. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' BOINK recovery system provides maximum altitude via ballistic coasting, while maintainin' a sleek profile for foliage foiling. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! T' sum it up in two words. It's FUN!

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