Art Applewhite Rockets Delta Flying Saucer 38mm (10")

Art Applewhite Rockets - Delta Flying Saucer 38mm (10") {Kit}

Contributed by Will Marchant

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: Art Applewhite Rockets

Rocket PicBrief:
This is an easy t' build, single stage flyin' saucer that needs no recovery system. Aye aye! It is an easy way t' certify level 1 for high power. Blimey! Relatively slow ascent and limited altitude mean a short walk durin' recovery.

Construction:
A central paper/foam laminate "plate" with a 38mm motor mount tube installed perpendicular t' t' plane o' t' plate makes t' main structure of the rocket. Aye aye! Arrr! T' forward cone is o' paper, reinforced with epoxy soaked fibreglas tape. Blimey! T' aft cone is o' unreinforced paper. Begad! No motor retention is included. Well, blow me down!

T' instructions were quite clear and well illustrated. Avast! Arrr! Blimey! When I had questions, Art answered emails smartly and appropriately. Ahoy! Blimey! Assembly was logical and took me several short evenings. Avast! Avast! Blimey! T' paper and foam parts came pre-marked and t' explicit instructions made it easy t' cut them. A launch lug is not used--there are holes in t' plate and fore and aft cones t' accomodate a 1/4" launch rod. Ahoy! Arrr! Blimey! It is critical that these holes be aligned when t' cones are glued t' t' plate. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! Blimey! I wish I had drawn an alignment line on t' motor mount tube t' aid t' assembly o' t' cones. No special tools are required. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Adhesives are white glue and slow settin' epoxy.

Finishing:
A number o' different "pre-finished" paper cones are available. I chose t' metallic gold paper and did no further finishing. Ahoy! A plain paper version is available that will allow t' user freedom t' design their own paint scheme.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
There are a large number o' recommended 38mm motors: Cesaroni Pro38 G69 and H153 reloads, Aerotech RMS-38/240 H73J, H123W, me hearties, H148R, me bucko, matey, H112J, I161W, and I218R reloads, and Ellis Mountain H48 and I134 single use motors. Avast! I used an Ellis Mountain H48-8 for me first flight, shiver me timbers, which be me Tripoli level 1 certification flight. Ahoy! Reloadable motors should nay use t' ejection charge. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! For single use motors t' ejection charge should be removed per t' directions. Avast!

Recovery:
This kit uses "aerobrake" recovery. Avast! Arrr! T' rocket has large surface area and a very low weight. Blimey! It recovers nose first at a surprisingly low speed. There be no damage and only a slight amount soil clung t' t' forward end of the engine casing. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, me hearties, blow me down!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This be a very easy kit t' build. Avast! It is an unusual design and attracts a lot of attention at t' flyin' field. T' simplicity o' t' design lends itself to a certification flight. T' low and slow flight is quite excitin' and almost guarantees a short walk for recovery.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

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