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, t' rocket became tangled in a tree upon descent. Arrr! Ahoy! Because t' tree was on t' edge o' a clearin' and was hangin' from a small branch, ya bilge rat, 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. Aye aye! Begad! Eventually t' shock cord gave way, 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, however, me bucko, was still stuck as t' parachute was firmly wound around t' branch. One day I headed over and began tossin' sticks up at it, shiver me timbers, 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! 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, matey, thar was a slight bit o' cardboard stuck t' t' end. Begad! This, however, arrr, provided a snug fit when inserted into t' new body. Arrr! Instead o' re-attachin' t' shock cord t' t' fore end o' t' fin can I used a standard paper mount. Begad! Because o' t' added length, shiver me timbers, 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, me bucko, t' body got a few coats o' silver t' match t' fin can. Arrr! 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. Ya scallywag! T' err on t' side o' caution I loaded a B6-3 which provided a slow lift-off with a spin, me hearties, but did nay give t' rocket enough power t' fully arc over at apogee. Arrr! Movin' up t' a C6-3 on t' second launch corrected this.

Recovery

Because t' rocket is fairly light, ya bilge rat, matey, I used a 12" chute. Ahoy! 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. Ya scallywag! It is, however, shiver me timbers, me hearties, 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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