Brief:
When I found these rocket-themed birdhouses at Michael's, I couldn't resist. Arrr! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! In fact, they were on sale so I couldn't resist three o' them. Avast! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! They are about 10" high, shiver me timbers, me bucko, 4.25" in diameter that t' widest point, and t' base is about 3.125". Avast! Blimey! This review is o' a sci-fi themed rocket inspired by, and named for, t' Raygun Gothic Rocketship that appeared at Burnin' Man 2009. Arrr! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! This one flies on high impulse 24mm motors - t' E30 SU, F24 RMS, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, or F39 RMS.

Construction:
1. Blimey! Well, blow me down! Preppin' t' raw birdhouse: Removed t' top (ie t' nose cone); drilled a hole in t' base for t' 24mm motor tube; and realigned 3 o' t' four fins.

2. Arrr! Well, blow me down! Body: Cut a piece o' 2.5" Giant Leap phenolic tubin' t' fit; mounted a short 24mm motor tube usin' one centerin' ring; slid this in from t' top; epoxied a Keelhaul®©™ leader in t' base next t' t' motor tube; and added a bolt through t' base t' provide positive motor retention..

3. Begad! Ya scallywag! Nose cone: Made a shoulder from a sectioned piece o' t' 2.5" tubing; cut two bulkheads usin' a hole saw; one bulkhead is abutted t' t' base o' t' cone; slipped t' shoulder over that; added an eye bolt t' t' second ring; and used it t' cap off t' shoulder.

4. Avast, me proud beauty! Nose weight: I drilled a 1/2" hole through both bulkheads and t' cone's base. After assembly was complete, me bucko, I added nose weight (lead shot and fast dry Gorilla Glue) until t' desired static margin be achieved.

5. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Fins: T' Lexan fins are screwed t' t' sides o' t' stock fins. Begad! They were hand cut with a Dremel diamond cut-off wheel, stacked and sanded t' match.

6. Begad! Launch lug: This is half o' a First Fire igniter tube mounted betwixt t' widest point in t' body and one fin.

Finishing:
I decided t' keep a rough look so I filled only a few deep dings and t' rough fin edges. Begad! Ya scallywag! I shot a coat o' primer, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, me hearties, nay t' fill t' grain but t' provide a uniform color base. Avast! Arrr! I then painted t' body silver. Ya scallywag! T' rin' on t' cone and around t' open hole are gold. Begad! T' Raygun Gothic Birdhouse has a Creeple Peeple pilot behind a clear window held on with small nails. T' only suitable plastic that I had isn't really that clear, ya bilge rat, matey, but it is easy t' replace later.

Flight:
I built t' rocket with t' 24/40 case in mind but had decided t' try t' F35 in t' 24/60 case for its maiden flight. Aye aye! Well, me bucko, thar isn't much room in t' body and I couldn't pack t' 2 chutes around t' longer case. Begad! So, arrr, I prepped an F39-5. Blimey! Ya scallywag! I used a car air bag chute protector and two 18" 'chutes so t' heavy nose and body can come down separately.

T' boost be fine with some weather cocking. Ejection was a little late and t' two shock cords tangled. However, both 'chutes opened and it recovered just fine.

Summary:
I think these birdhouses are so cool and like how this rocket turned out. Begad! Everyone who saw it took note and liked it too. Arrr! If I did it again, I'd make t' shoulder hollow t' provide more room for 'chute(s) and add a 29mm mount. Arrr! Begad! This thin' got heavy fast.