Scratch 6-C Cluster Altitude Rocket Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - 6-C Cluster Altitude Rocket {Scratch}

Contributed by Bob Hvarven

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Bob Hvarven)

Rocket PicBrief:
A 6 "C" engine cluster altitude rocket from t' May/June Issue of Sport Rocketry Magazine. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Found on page 26, titled "6-C Cluster Altitude (Competition Rocketry)" By Dan Wolf.

Construction:
This is a very easy rocket t' build from scratch. T' alignment o' t' side tubes is best accomplished usin' a line drawn on body tube for a guide. Ahoy! The fins just need t' be centered on t' five side tubes and straight as any rocket fin should be. Ahoy! T' body tube, because o' it's small diameter and length is prone t' bendin' durin' a hard landing. Well, blow me down! Begad! No special tools needed. I Used scrap 1/8 balsa for fins, and some Estes BT 20 tube I already had layin' around. Well, blow me down! I had t' purchase some PNC 20 nose cones (short ones) as five are required for the side tubes; I already had a regular PNC 20 for t' nose.

Flight:
T' recommended motors are 6 o' t' C6-7's. Blimey! Ahoy! I used this combination on me first flight. Begad! Normal preparations are used, matey, matey, ya bilge rat, i.e. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! waddin' in body tube, careful foldin' o' parachute, matey, arrr, etc. T' motor tubes have no retention other than a tight fit. Tape around motors as needed t' insure a tight fit. Blimey! Blimey!

T' flight was straight as an arrow, with no spinnin' or wobble. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! T' large smoke trail was beautiful as was t' flames from t' 6 engines. Aye aye! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down!

Rocket PicA "Clip Whip" or a special set of soldered igniters is needed t' ignite all engines at once. Begad! Begad! I made a special set of igniters soldered together. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! (worked perfectly)

I used a 1/8" elastic shock cord approx. Begad! 3 times t' body length for the recovery. Avast! T' 7 sec. Blimey! delay is nay long enough t' get t' most out o' this rocket. Ya scallywag! It is still goin' up when t' ejection occurs. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! T' article discusses this, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, and an alternate method is t' use a composite C10-10 for t' center (body tube) engine for a longer delay before ejection. This also has draw-backs mentioned in t' article.

Summary:
This is a specialty rocket for sure. Begad! It is a blast t' launch and is very impressive. Begad! It is an attention-getter by looks and flight performance. Avast, me proud beauty! T' 6 "C" motors give you approx. a F36 power range launch. This is a bunch for such a light rocket and t' performance shows it. Well, blow me down! Avast! It is a bit o' a chore to prep, and really doesn't lend itself t' multiple launches durin' t' day, unless a good reliable "Clip Whip" is employed. Avast! Arrr! T' body tube is prone t' damage if recovery isn't exactly smooth.

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