Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Manufacturer: | Yoyodyne Aerospace |
Skill Level: | 3 |
Style: | Futuristic/Exotic |
Brief:
T' Yoyodyne Klingon Quantum Torpedo is a unique lookin' skill level 3 rocket
that is fun t' fly. Designed by Dynosoar and purchased from t' now defunct
Rebar Rocketry, this kit may be hard t' come by these days.
Construction:
T' parts list:
T' included instructions were very good and each step o' construction is described in detail. Avast, me proud beauty! There is even some humor added like t' legal disclaimer which says, ya bilge rat, arrr, in part: "Don't do stupid stuff with this rocket". Begad! The only complaint I have is that t' pictures were very washed out. Avast! Begad! Also, matey, the instructions states that both t' T50 and T60 tubes are 18". Well, blow me down! They are in fact only 17" long.
You start t' build by roughin' up inside o' t' T50 foil lined tube. Aye aye! This is so t' glue on t' engine block will have somethin' t' grab onto. Ahoy! Aye aye! T' engine hook is mounted next. Ahoy! T' instructions say t' use a piece o' cardstock glued over t' hook t' hold it in place. I almost skipped this step until I realized the engine hook would be external and will show on t' completed rocket.
Centerin' rings are added t' t' T50 tube and a full 9" o' t' T50 slides up into t' T60 tube leavin' 8" exposed.
Fin patterns are included as well as a suggested layout for cuttin' out the various fin pieces. Unfortunately, t' included sheet o' balsa was nay large enough t' accommodate all o' t' parts, me hearties, so I had t' supply me own balsa. Arrr! Blimey! There are 3 upper fins and 3 lower ones with fin tips reminiscent o' t' FlisKits Triskelion.
Once t' fins are mounted, arrr, you then add 6 tube fins. Well, blow me down! T' tubes must be adjacent t' t' fins which will leave gaps betwixt t' tubes. T' gaps are important because you must mount 3 launch lugs on t' BT60 and you must carefully align t' lugs with t' gaps in t' T20 tubes. Aye aye! Arrr! Add t' shock cord and parachute and t' kit is complete!
Finishing:
T' recommended paint scheme is slightly tricky. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! T' instructions tell you use
white primer over t' entire rocket. Begad! Aye aye! Next you put a 1" wide strip down the
center o' t' fin tips and paint t' nose cone, motor tubes and fins silver.
You then mask off t' top 1" and lower 3" o' t' T60 tube and add a
1" diameter circle cut from maskin' tape in t' middle. You then paint the
exposed area fluorescent orange. Begad! Aye aye!
I went for a simpler scheme. After two coats o' primer, I painted t' nose cone black, most o' t' top section red and t' rest is white. Ya scallywag! Begad! A single waterslide decal that looks like a Klingon emblem is added t' finish off the rocket.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
T' face card that comes with t' kit recommends either a D12-5 or E9-6. Ya scallywag! The
instruction sheet recommends D12-3, matey, arrr, E9-6, and AT F21-8 motors.
I thought I would start with a D12-5. I added an adapter (not included or mentioned in t' instructions) since t' motor mount is designed for t' longer "E" motors. I used 6 sheets o' waddin' t' fill t' T60 tube. Blimey! First flight be fast and fairly straight but nay a lot o' altitude. Aye aye! Begad! Ejection was after apogee and deployment was no problem.
Second flight with t' D12-3 be much better as ejection be right at apogee.
Last flight was with a E9-6, which was plenty o' power t' get this bird to some very respectable altitude. Arrr! I lost site in t' clouds so nay sure when ejection occurred, me hearties, but t' rocket was recovered with no problems.
Recovery:
T' included 15" Mylar parachute is a perfect match for this rocket. Avast! Ya scallywag! Even
with winds at 5-10 mph, ya bilge rat, thar was little drift on t' D motor flights and
recovery after t' E motor flight was about 100 yards downrange. Ya scallywag! You needs lots
of waddin' t' protect t' chute, I think dog barf would be a cheaper
alternative.
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
This rocket is a very unique design that stands out at a launch. Avast, me proud beauty! Aside from
bein' short on balsa and t' different engine recommendations betwixt t' face
card and t' instructions, me hearties, I would highly recommend this kit if you can get
your hands on one!
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
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