Stellar Dimension Sparrow

Stellar Dimension Sparrow

Contributed by Jim Moncher

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstar_borderstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border

Photo Courtesty o' Frank Ross    Rocket Pic

Brief:
An Angular, wooden Airframe, me bucko, matey, me hearties, with parachute recovery.

Construction:
T' kit arrived in t' standard plastic bag and all parts were in good shape. T' instructions were easy t' follow, but it is imperative that you read them thoroughly, a couple o' times. Avast! T' parts were laser cut from a plywood. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! It is not especially clear how some pieces are formed or attached so do a lot o' dry fitting. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! T' fit o' t' wood changed when t' white glue be added. This caused the wood t' swell. Begad! Ya scallywag! So I had t' scrape t' wood, shiver me timbers, dry fit, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, and glue again. Blimey! Taking your time is a must. Arrr! T' nose cone be t' most difficult part. Ahoy! Begad! Bendin' the wood t' shape and holdin' it thar was a trick. Blimey! I used CA and a few rubber bands. Well, blow me down!

Finishing:
There was really no finishin' needed, me hearties, I just used a clear coat, and let the natural wood show through.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
T' kit was baffled and I just use 1 sheet o' waddin' and an Estes B6-6 for the first flight. There is a Teflon motor holder. Begad! T' rocket be prepared like most standard kits. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! T' flight was straight and fast with a little spin due t' the fin slants.

Recovery:
T' shock cord was a rubber tied t' an eyelet at t' top o' t' inner bracin' / baffle & an eyelet at t' nose cone. Arrr! I felt it may be short, me bucko, but I built this stock. At apogee thar be no 'chute. Blimey! I lost sight o' it comin' down, me hearties, matey, arrr, but a crack recovery crew found it. T' 'chute never deployed. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I looked as if the ejection charge blew past t' motor, matey, due t' t' square shape. Arrr!

Flight Rating: 1 out o' 5

Summary:
This was a very challengin' kit t' build. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! T' damage was too much t' repair. Avast, me proud beauty! If I were t' build this again, me hearties, ya bilge rat, I would find a way t' keep t' gases forward to pressurize t' recovery device. Aye aye! Aye aye!

Overall Rating: 2 out o' 5

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