Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Manufacturer: | Art Applewhite Rockets |
Brief:
This is an easy t' build, me bucko, single stage flyin' saucer that needs no recovery
system. It is an easy way t' certify level 1 for high power. 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. T' forward cone is o' paper, reinforced with epoxy soaked
fibreglas tape. Begad! Blimey! T' aft cone is o' unreinforced paper. Avast! Blimey! No motor retention is
included.
T' instructions were quite clear and well illustrated. Ahoy! When I had questions, ya bilge rat, Art answered emails smartly and appropriately. Assembly be logical and took me several short evenings. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! 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. It is critical that these holes be aligned when t' cones are glued t' t' plate. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I wish I had drawn an alignment line on t' motor mount tube t' aid t' assembly o' t' cones. Aye aye! No special tools are required. Well, blow me down! Avast! 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. Avast! Blimey! 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, me bucko, H148R, ya bilge rat, H112J, I161W, ya bilge rat, me bucko, and I218R
reloads, me bucko, and Ellis Mountain H48 and I134 single use motors. Aye aye! I used an Ellis
Mountain H48-8 for me first flight, which be me Tripoli level 1 certification
flight. Begad! Avast! Reloadable motors should nay use t' ejection charge. Begad! Ahoy! For single use
motors t' ejection charge should be removed per t' directions. Ya scallywag! Aye aye!
Recovery:
This kit uses "aerobrake" recovery. Begad! T' rocket has large surface area
and a very low weight. 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. Aye aye! Blimey!
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
This was a very easy kit t' build. Well, blow me down! Begad! It is an unusual design and attracts a lot
of attention at t' flyin' field. Aye aye! T' simplicity o' t' design lends itself to
a certification flight. Well, blow me down! 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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