Brief:
18mm Scale model o' Canadian Black Brant VI soundin' rocket.

Construction:

• BT-50, shiver me timbers, 18"
• PNC-50, 4:1 ogive
• 1/8" LL, me bucko, 2"
• basswood fins, 4 from plans
• 18mm mmt (tube, block, 2 rings, engine hook)
• 12" parachute
• elastic shock cord, me hearties, me bucko, mount

Single-page, ya bilge rat, easy t' follow instructions for a simple, matey, me bucko, scale model rocket. T' plans include a simple diagram, fin template, me bucko, paintin' guide, and markings which can be scanned, colored, me bucko, and transferred t' decal paper. Begad! Ya scallywag! I followed the instructions t' t' letter with t' exception o' t' addition o' TTW tabs to attach t' fins t' t' motor tube as well as t' airframe. Well, blow me down! Clay weight must be added t' t' nose t' balance t' rocket 9" from t' aft t' ensure stability (short fin span).

Finishing:
I painted t' rocket a base coat o' semi-gloss white before maskin' one fin and a white stripe on one side o' t' airframe. Arrr! Blimey! I then painted t' nose, arrr, airframe, and three fins with red Krylon. I used SuperCal waterslide decal paper for the letterin' and markings on t' airframe.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
First flight was on an 18mm Aerotech RMS C12-7T. Well, blow me down! T' rocket flew perfectly straight t' about 700', arched over while emittin' trackin' smoke, but there was no ejection. Avast! T' rocket came in stable at high speed and hit pavement. Ya scallywag! The nose cone, airframe, and motor mount were obliterated. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! However t' last four inches o' t' body tube and fins were undamaged (unscratched even), and most fortunately, t' motor casin' was also safe. Avast! Well, me bucko, blow me down! Apparently t' airframe and nose cone absorbed most o' t' force o' impact.

Recovery:
Forensics seemed t' indicate that t' ejection charge cap was knocked off while loadin' t' motor so t' bp charge was scattered prior t' flight. Begad! I need to remember t' modify t' engine block rin' slightly durin' construction if I plan to use t' 18mm reloadable motors. 5 points for flight, 0 for recovery, 2-1/2 overall. If you do it right you'll have excellent results.

Flight Rating: 2 out o' 5

Summary:
Good looking, me bucko, simple scale rocket from simple plans. Begad! Can't think o' anything negative t' say about that!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5