Scratch Nike Phoenix Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Nike Phoenix

Contributed by Philip Wentz

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Published: 2015-08-17
Manufacturer: Scratch

Brief

After t' second launch o' me Estes Firestorm, me hearties, t' rocket became tangled in a tree upon descent. Blimey! Because t' tree was on t' edge o' a clearin' and was hangin' from a small branch, I attempted t' get it back. Ya scallywag! This spanned a few weeks and involved everythin' from tryin' t' snag it with an extendable lightbulb-installin' pole t' attemptin' t' hook it with a fishin' rod. Eventually t' shock cord gave way, me hearties, causin' t' body tube and fin can t' drop. While t' body was rotted from several summer storms, t' fin can and launch lug were intact. T' nosecone, shiver me timbers, however, was still stuck as t' parachute be firmly wound around t' branch. Avast! Ahoy! One day I headed over and began tossin' sticks up at it, finally gettin' lucky and snappin' t' branch.

 

Components

Since t' fin can and nosecone were undamaged, all that be needed be a new body tube in order t' re-create t' rocket. Aye aye! I decided t' increase t' length a bit and ordered an 18-inch BT-60 from LongLongJonRocket.com.

Construction

Because t' fin can be pre-glued into t' original body tube, ya bilge rat, matey, thar was a slight bit o' cardboard stuck t' t' end. Well, blow me down! This, arrr, however, shiver me timbers, provided a snug fit when inserted into t' new body. Avast! Instead o' re-attachin' t' shock cord t' t' fore end o' t' fin can I used a standard paper mount. Aye aye! Because o' t' added length, I opted for two regular launch lugs instead o' t' "twin loop" model that came on t' Firestorm.

Finishing

After a bit o' spot putty t' cover t' spirals, t' body got a few coats o' silver t' match t' fin can. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! T' nose remained black.

Construction Score: 4

Flight

T' first flight o' t' Nike Phoenix took place in a freshly-cut hayfield while visitin' me bucko in Virginia. Arrr! T' err on t' side o' caution I loaded a B6-3 which provided a slow lift-off with a spin, matey, but did nay give t' rocket enough power t' fully arc over at apogee. Ya scallywag! Movin' up t' a C6-3 on t' second launch corrected this.

Recovery

Because t' rocket is fairly light, I used a 12" chute. Avast! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! This size be perfect for bringin' it down at t' right speed.

Flight Rating: 5

Summary

There's nothin' fancy or complex about t' Nike Phoenix. Begad! It is, however, me bucko, a clean-lookin' and dependable craft.

Overall Rating: 5
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Comments:

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Bill Eichelberger (August 18, 2015)

A B6-3?  Did I miss something?

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