Brief:
T' Tube Lifter is a two-stage fin, matey, me bucko, tube, and rin' tail rocket. Ya scallywag! Sustainer is recovered with a 14" parachute, and booster via tumble recovery. Ya scallywag! Arrr! It has a clear payload bay.

Construction:
T' parts list:

• PNC-55AC Nose cone
• 5" Clear - BT-55 tube, from Semroc
• 20.0" BT-55 tube
• 1.28" x 1.0" Balsa Bulkhead
• 1/16" Staples brand illustration board
• 4 BT-50 t' BT-55 centerin' rings
• 20" BT-50 tube
• 14" nylon chute
• 2 1/4" pieces o' 4" FedEx tube
• 15" 400lb Keelhaul®©™® cord
• 10" x 1/8" elastic
• 1/8" x 2" launch lug
• 2 motor hooks
• 1 small screw eye
• 0.75oz o' nose weight
• 24mm t' 18mm motor adapters (optional)

Click t' download fin temples for t' forward fins and aft fins.

T' Tube Lifter is quick and easy t' build. Begad! T' fins are cut from 1/16" presentation board and require no extra finishin' besides for primer and paint. Begad! Begad! T' tube fins for t' sustainer were glued two at a time on a flat surface. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! The tube rings are cut from 4" diameter FedEx tube. That type o' tube fits perfectly around a BT-55 tube fin configuration. Aye aye! T' method I used t' cut t' 1/4" rings is similar t' how I cut body tube in general. Blimey! Ya scallywag! I made a guide with two pieces o' cardstock paper wrapped around t' end o' t' tube, shiver me timbers, me bucko, recessed slightly more than 1/4" from the end. Begad! Aye aye! I used a razor saw and worked me way around in a circular fashion until I cut through t' tube.

T' motor mounts were built as most standard kits, except t' sustainer mount requires t' bottom o' t' lower centerin' rin' be located 3/4" from t' bottom o' t' motor tube. Blimey! Ahoy!

I friction fit t' nose cone into t' forward end o' t' clear payload bay usin' tape. T' lower end has a balsa bulkhead glued in with thin CA.

I used 0.75oz o' lead shot for t' nose weight and fixed in place with 30 minute epoxy. Well, arrr, blow me down! When usin' epoxy in nose cones, shiver me timbers, it is important t' keep t' nose cone cool while t' epoxy cures otherwise it can warp t' nose cone. I kept it cool by placin' t' nose cone pointed down in a cup o' water.

T' booster connects t' t' sustainer in two ways. Arrr! Avast! T' motor mounts connect via a sleeve, which is made from BT-50 tube that is cut lengthwise. Blimey! Well, blow me down! T' bottom half is glued t' t' exposed end o' t' booster motor tube. Blimey! Avast! T' forward end slides around t' lower part o' t' sustainer motor tube. Avast! Avast! T' protect against exhaust flame, I coated t' inside o' the sleeve with thin CA and t' outside with 30 minute epoxy. This also adds some strength. Begad! T' second connection point is made by t' booster tube fins. Ahoy! T' booster tube fins are made from BT-50 tube that slide inside 3 o' t' sustainer tube fins. Ya scallywag! I cut two 1/4" pieces o' BT-55 tube lengthwise and wrapped around t' main booster tube. This served as a standoff for t' booster's tube fins. Begad! T' boosters tube fins are aligned by first connectin' t' motor tube sleeve, then placin' t' booster tube fins inside three o' t' sustainer tube fins, ya bilge rat, me bucko, and are held in place against t' booster body tubes standoff sleeves with rubber bands. Aye aye! Once everythin' be in place, I tacked t' booster tubes t' the standoffs with 5-minute epoxy. Begad! Blimey! After that set I reinforced with more epoxy.

T' shock cord was made from 400lb test Keelhaul®©™® tied t' t' sustainer motor tube with t' other end tied t' a 10" piece o' 1/8" elastic.

Finishing:
Most people would probably fill in t' body tube spirals, but I skipped that and just painted everythin' with a coat of white primer. I then painted t' sustainer body with white paint. Begad! Blimey! I hand painted t' sustainer/booster fins and sustainer rings with black acrylic. I used Krylon aluminum for t' nose cone and booster section. Begad! Blimey!

Flight:
T' first flight was perfect. Aye aye! I used 24mm t' 18mm adapters and flew it on a B6-0 t' a B6-4. Avast! T' stagin' worked great and thar was no damage t' t' booster or sustainer. One major advantage o' this design is it can fly on a wide range of motors. Arrr! T' second flight be on a B6-0 t' a B4-4. Arrr! That too, was a perfect flight and recovery. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! I flew it as a single stage on a C6-5 for t' third flight. Arrr! It arched over slightly and delay be way too long for that rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! The chute be deployed about 2.5 t' 3 seconds after apogee. A C6-3 would have been better. Ya scallywag! I didn't have any C6-3s, shiver me timbers, arrr, so I tried again but used a B6-0 booster. Arrr! Begad! It arched over again as t' previous flight, me hearties, and delay be too long. Avast, me proud beauty! I attribute the archin' over t' a too short, matey, flimsy launch rod and moderate wind. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! I plan t' fly this on 2 D motors at t' next launch. Begad! Blimey!

Recovery:
T' 14" nylon parachute that I used seemed optimal, but a smaller chute might be needed in stronger wind, especially when flown t' higher altitudes. Begad! T' last two flights deployed at a high speed and thar was no zippering. One o' t' booster's tube fins did get a little squashed after t' last flight.

Summary:
I wanted t' build a unique lookin' two-stage rocket that would be fairly easy and simple t' build. Ya scallywag! I was a little concerned about t' stability o' t' design, but after flyin' it, me hearties, I am mostly pleased with how it performs.