Scratch 29mm Priority Stealth Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - 29mm Priority Stealth {Scratch}

Contributed by Art Applewhite

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Art Applewhite - 05/29/06)

Rocket PciBrief:
This 29mm odd roc is entirely constructed from a corrugated cardboard box. Plans can be downloaded from t' Art Applewhite Rockets web site for free. It is very inexpensive and easy t' build, me bucko, requirin' only white glue, a sharp craft knife, me bucko, me hearties, a ruler, ball-point pen, and packin' tape t' complete.

Construction:
All you need is a 6" x 6" x 5" Priority Mail box or similarly sized, corrugated cardboard box. Blimey! There are only 3 parts, arrr, arrr, t' Top, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, Bottom and Motor Mount. Avast! T' rocket can be flown on any 29mm Ellis Mountain, Roadrunner, me bucko, or Aerotech single use F or G motor or any Aerotech RMS 29/40-120 or RMS 29/60 reloads. Avast!

First download t' PDF pattern file from the Art Applewhite Rockets web site. T' pattern has 2 pages. Aye aye! There are also 3 pages o' more detailed instructions on t' web site. Begad!

Start by foldin' t' box flat with t' overlapped seam facin' up. Arrr! Blimey! Cut the box in two equal halves usin' t' edge o' t' seam as a guide. Begad! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Save t' right half o' t' box for later. Cut t' bottom two flaps off at t' fold and cut the upper right flap off 1/2" above t' fold. Ahoy! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Take t' flap you just cut off and tape it t' t' end o' t' upper left flap with some wide clear packing tape. Flip t' panels over and run a fillet o' glue on t' inside seam o' the third panel then lay it flat t' dry.

Cut t' side pattern from t' plans and place it on t' lower right panel of t' box. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Trace around t' pattern with a ball point pen. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! Rotate t' pattern 90 degrees and move it t' t' lower left panel and trace around it again except for t' launch rod notch. Begad! Rotate t' pattern 90 degrees clockwise again and place it on t' remainin' panel and trace around it. Note that this last panel is a little short on t' right edge so t' pattern will stick a little over that edge when lined up with t' others.

Cut around t' outline with a sharp craft knife and a ruler. Ya scallywag! Fold the panels into a corner shape and glue t' 1/2" flap t' t' inside o' the panel. Avast, me proud beauty! You can lay a strip o' clear tape on t' outside surface o' this seam to improve t' aerodynamics.

Glue t' Bottom pattern t' t' middle o' one sides o' t' box that was set aside at t' beginning. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Cut out t' Bottom and place it inside t' TOP. Aye aye! Arrr! It should lay flat against all three side o' t' Top with t' launch rod holes lined up. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Put a heavy fillet o' glue around all three edges o' t' Bottom. Repeat as needed t' make a strong joint.

Glue t' Motor Mount pattern t' one o' t' left over box flaps. Cut it out and crease t' fold lines with a ball point pen and a ruler. Arrr! Fold t' Motor Mount into a triangle shaped tube and hold it together with a strip o' wide tape on t' inside. Begad! Begad! Don't worry about keepin' t' side with t' joint flat, the next step will take care o' that. Ahoy!

Insert t' Motor Mount into t' triangular hole in t' Bottom. Avast! Make sure the seam in t' Motor Mount is not lined up with t' launch rod hole. Push t' Motor Mount up until it just stick out t' Top. Put a fillet o' glue around t' Motor Mount where it joins t' t' Top and Bottom.

Finishing:
You can finish t' rocket in any way you want. Arrr! If you use a Priority Mail box you can simple spray it with a couple o' coats o' clear paint t' protect the cardboard and glue from moisture.

Flight:
There is a long list o' recommended motors. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Basically any 29mm F or G motor and most 29mm reloads can be used. Avast, me proud beauty! All you have t' do t' prepare this rocket for launch is t' remove t' ejection charge and slide t' motor into t' motor mount. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Since t' top end is open, a light friction fit is all that is required. If t' motor lacks an aft thrust rin' one can be made with a few wraps of maskin' tape. Ya scallywag! It was flown twice as NSL 2006. Ahoy! Arrr! Blimey! First on an Ellis Mountain G35 that seemed t' burn forever and next on t' new Road Runner G80-4R. T' crowd loved both flights. T' flights were low but nay too slow and it be recovered close t' t' pad with absolutely no damage both times.

Recovery:
Recovery couldn't be easier. Avast! Blimey! T' rocket uses helicopter or auto rotation recovery. It rotates as it descents slowly with any o' t' recommended motors.

Summary:
This rocket is a great addition t' any fleet. Well, blow me down! It is cheap and quick t' build and flies well in all kinds o' weather conditions and fields. It is rugged and goes where other 29mm rockets fear t' tread.

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