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

Finishing:
There was really no finishin' needed, I just used a clear coat, arrr, 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. T' rocket be prepared like most standard kits. Avast! 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. Ahoy! Begad! I felt it may be short, but I built this stock. Well, blow me down! At apogee thar was no 'chute. Blimey! I lost sight o' it comin' down, matey, but a crack recovery crew found it. Blimey! T' 'chute never deployed. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! I looked as if the ejection charge blew past t' motor, due t' t' square shape.

Flight Rating: 1 out o' 5

Summary:
This was a very challengin' kit t' build. T' damage be too much t' repair. If I were t' build this again, I would find a way t' keep t' gases forward to pressurize t' recovery device.

Overall Rating: 2 out o' 5

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