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, me hearties, 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, matey, me hearties, ya bilge rat, reinforced with epoxy soaked fibreglas tape. Arrr! T' aft cone is o' unreinforced paper. Blimey! No motor retention is included. Begad!

T' instructions were quite clear and well illustrated. Begad! Blimey! When I had questions, shiver me timbers, Art answered emails smartly and appropriately. Blimey! Blimey! Assembly be logical and took me several short evenings. Begad! Blimey! Arrr! 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. Begad! Blimey! It is critical that these holes be aligned when t' cones are glued t' t' plate. I wish I had drawn an alignment line on t' motor mount tube t' aid t' assembly o' t' cones. Arrr! Blimey! No special tools are required. Arrr! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Adhesives are white glue and slow settin' epoxy.

Finishing:
A number o' different "pre-finished" paper cones are available. Avast, me proud beauty! I chose t' metallic gold paper and did no further finishing. Begad! 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, ya bilge rat, H123W, me hearties, H148R, arrr, H112J, matey, me bucko, I161W, matey, matey, and I218R reloads, and Ellis Mountain H48 and I134 single use motors. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! I used an Ellis Mountain H48-8 for me first flight, me hearties, which was me Tripoli level 1 certification flight. Ya scallywag! Reloadable motors should nay use t' ejection charge. Arrr! For single use motors t' ejection charge should be removed per t' directions. Blimey! Arrr!

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

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This was a very easy kit t' build. Begad! Ahoy! It is an unusual design and attracts a lot of attention at t' flyin' field. Blimey! T' simplicity o' t' design lends itself to a certification flight. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! 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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