Modification The 'Big Daddy' Educator

Modification - The 'Big Daddy' Educator

Contributed by Joy Sills

Manufacturer: Modification

Educator

Brief:
T' Educator is a modified Big Daddy. Avast! Well, blow me down! T' modifications include addin' a 12" payload section and usin' basswood for fins and centerin' rings.

Modifications:
T' first modifications were addin' basswood fins and centerin' rings. Ahoy! T' second modification was addin' a payload section. Well, matey, blow me down! This was accomplished by usin' an additional 12" section o' body tubing. A MDF coupler was then epoxied into t' 6" coupler. Blimey! Ahoy! T' coupler be then epoxied into t' aft end o' t' payload section. T' bulkhead contained an eye screw for t' upper attachment point for t' shock cord. Ahoy! Custom 1/4" launch lugs were then added. Avast! A motor retention system was created by two screw receptors bein' added t' t' aft centerin' ring. Begad! A basswood plate is then screwed down t' hold in t' motor.

Construction:
t' parts used included:

  • Big Daddy Kit (3" Pre slotted Body Tube, shiver me timbers, matey, matey, Nose cone)
  • 1 Payload Section (3" Body Tube)
  • 1 6" Coupler
  • 1 MDF Bulkhead
  • (MODS) The Educator2 Eye Screw
  • 2 Basswood Centerin' Rings
  • 4 Basswood Fins
  • 2 1/4" Launch Lugs
  • 1 Motor Retention Plate
  • 2 Screw Receptors
  • 2 Screws
  • 1 24" Nylon Parachute
  • 1 Elastic Shock Cord

Finishing:
T' Educator be finished t' look like a school bus. It was primed then painted yellow with black fins. Well, me bucko, blow me down! Pin stripes and custom decals were added t' create t' school bus look. Then t' whole thin' was cleared coated.

LaunchFlight:
I prepared t' Educator for flight by attachin' a Nomex shield t' t' shock cord so that it wouldn't require wadding. Then I friction fit an Estes E-9 in t' Educator before I placed it on t' launch stand. Arrr! Blimey! T' flight was okay, but t' rocket weathercocked considerably into t' wind.

Recovery:
T' shock cord was attached t' a bulkhead in t' bottom o' t' coupler and t' t' centerin' rin' in t' booster section. Well, blow me down! Arrr! T' parachute and Nomex shields were both attached t' t' shock cord. Avast, me proud beauty! This made for easy recovery. Blimey! Begad! T' parachute deployed too slowly and t' fin be damaged.

Summary:
T' rocket was too heavy.

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