Published: | 2010-06-14 |
Manufacturer: | Scratch |
Brief:
I saw this missile at t' Air Force Museum in Dayton, ya bilge rat, matey, OH and decided I had t' build it. A single
stage, mid-power (24mm) missile that retrieves on a large 24 inch parachute. This is based on t' Launch Pad rocket
kit.
Construction:
Parts from Apogee Components:
Easy assembly. Well, blow me down! I built mine with Titebond II wood glue throughout. Arrr! T' fins were papered t' add more rigidity. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! The long strakes were cut in one piece and sealed with Fill 'n Finish, arrr, me bucko, and sanded before attachin' t' t' body. The parachute shelf is a great idea that anyone who has built a Launch Pad kit before knows about. Begad! Begad! It is simply a centering rin' glued into t' body tube that keeps t' chute from movin' down t' tube and effectin' t' CG. Ya scallywag! I attached 100lb Keelhaul®©™® for me shock cord t' this centerin' ring. T' motor mount is recessed and like t' LP kits I added material behind it for strength. Instead o' a coupler, I took a piece o' scrap BT-80 and made me own. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! I also covered that with heat resistant tape. Ahoy! T' recessed motor mounts have a tendency t' char t' tube. Aye aye! This prevents it. Well, blow me down!
Finishing:
Rustoleum sandable primer, arrr, me bucko, matey, sanding, arrr, some repairs, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, three coats o' Valspar white. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! I printed the
decals from a file that was shared with me.
Flight:
I would recommend any o' t' following:
F24W-4, D15T-4, me bucko, E9-4, me hearties, E6-4, me hearties, E18W-4) Because this is a relatively heavy rocket, me bucko, I wouldn't use longer delay motors
My first flight I launched F-24. Ahoy! Ahoy! This was a low altitude flight (just over 100 ft) T' missile flew straight, chute deployed after apogee and landed about 90 feet from t' launch pad.
Second flight was D15-4. Very similar, me bucko, but better altitude. Begad! This time it went about 350 ft.
Recovery:
T' shock cord is 150 lb. Begad! Keelhaul®©™®
attached at t' parachute shelf. Well, blow me down! I usually put a wrap o' maskin' tape where t' cord meets t' top o' t' body tube to
help prevent zippering. I flew on a very calm day and used a Top Flight 24" parachute which worked very well. Arrr!
Summary:
PRO's: Great looking, shiver me timbers, fun t' build
CON's: Rather heavy for a 24mm motor. Ahoy! If you want altitude, this isn't it.
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