Brief:
See prior article describin' what basically be a MMT modification t' t' G-Force kit--I kept that modified booster section only, shiver me timbers, and added scratch components t' turn it into a dual-deployment version. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I added a fully redundant dual-deployment mid-section e-bay for t' flight computers and t' two-CD3 CO2 ejection systems. Begad! I also added an upper-section e-bay for a GPS telemetry systems and a nosecone e-bay for an RF tracker. T' rocket grew from 57" t' 81" in t' process.

Construction:
I liked workin' with t' phenolic couplers I had ordered for t' original mod (in an effort t' beef t' G-Force up a bit) from Giant Leap (GL). Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! So, after doin' t' basic enhancement design on paper and then in RockSim, arrr, I ordered pre-cut airframe tubes from GL rather than new cardboard tubes from Public Missiles.

I ordered a 12" section for an extension t' t' booster section and a 29" section for t' upper airframe from what be left over from t' initially 48" tube, matey, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, I cut a 1" section for t' mid-section coupler/e-bay.

I purchased and modified two 4" x 8" phenolic e-bays from GL. I used one for t' flight computers/CO2 ejection system in t' mid-section coupler and one for a slide in/out e-bay for t' GPS system in t' upper airframe.

I got a 4" Intelli-Cone from PML for t' RF tracker rather than try t' do one myself from t' original G-Force nosecone.

I constructed t' deployment e-bay t' house a G-Wiz HCX as t' primary altimeter and a Ozark ARTS2 as t' secondary altimeter. I wanted t' keep t' two systems totally redundant/isolated, me hearties, so I incorporated a pair o' on-off pushbutton switches (from Mouser) and a pair o' modified audio-jack (also from Mouser) 4-point shunts for t' e-matches used for t' Rouse-Tech 12-gram CO2 systems. Begad! I fabricated some mounts for t' switches and jacks from some aluminum angles I had layin' around and some Radio Shack banana jacks for t' e-match terminals.

In order t' minimize t' size o' t' total-of-four airframe holes I needed for t' switches and shunts in t' coupler/e-bay, I did nay want t' use t' audio plugs that normally fit t' audio jacks, so I fabricated a couple o' "Remove Before Flight" pins for t' shunts out o' 8-penny double-headed nails.

I used standoffs t' mount a Big Red Bee TX tracker onto t' FG sled in t' upper airframe e-bay and just tie-wrapped (due t' lack o' space) a Big Red Bee 70cm GPS telemetry system t' a basswood sled I made for t' nosecone e-bay.

Finishing:
To help with t' finish o' t' airframe tubes, ya bilge rat, I once again utilized slightly diluted Elmer's Wood Filler in t' spiral grooves o' t' GL phenolic tubes. Due t' t' impregnated resin, ya bilge rat, t' filler did nay adhere as well as t' t' PML cardboard tubes from t' original G-Force kit, so it took about three applications o' filler and primer paint t' sufficiently fill in t' grooves.

Once they were filled, me bucko, I applied a few coats o' gloss white and applied some custom decals and some pinstripe tape.

Flight and Recovery:
I had planned on test flyin' t' rocket on a mid-sized I motor before I went t' a J and attempted me Level 2 certification flight. I wanted t' keep everythin' in sight since this be me first experience with flight computers, ya bilge rat, me hearties, dual-deployment, shiver me timbers, e-matches, CO2 systems, matey, matey, rivets and shear pins. I also wanted t' ground-test for separation due t' me lack o' experience.

So by t' time I got everythin' finally ready on launch day, it was late evenin' and t' sun be gettin' short. Begad! Begad! Blimey! I decided t' go with a small J motor and gamble that it would all go well and I could get me L2 with t' initial flight in this configuration.

I stuffed a Cesaroni J285 in t' back and headed for t' pad. Rather than havin' t' fully build up a motor, matey, me hearties, t' CTI Pro38 configuration saved me a bunch o' time and worry at that point.

At t' pad, me bucko, I removed t' shunt pins and turned each flight computer on and was rewarded with t' proper sequence o' beeps. Ahoy! I prepped t' motor igniter and headed back t' t' launcher. T' rocket is quite overstable with all t' additions, ya bilge rat, so when it left t' rod it tilted a bit (there be no wind) before it got up t' speed and really started flying. Begad! Once on t' way, it flew straight and true.

With t' small J and a loaded weight o' over 11 pounds, me hearties, arrr, it only flew t' ~2200' AGL so I be able t' see everythin' OK. Arrr! Both chutes popped at t' proper time and it came down about 600-700 yards away, arrr, mostly due t' its initial tilt off t' rod as opposed t' any wind. Arrr! Well, me bucko, blow me down! I used a choked down 42" for t' drogue and a b2 Classic II 60 for t' main. Avast! There be virtually no damage t' t' rocket (I beefed up t' tail--see earlier article--with a couple o' 75mm t' 98mm centerin' rings and some FG cloth.

Summary:
This L2 project was really a prelude t' me next project and me Level 3 certification. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I learned a great deal buildin' t' DD recovery system. Since t' rocket grew so large and heavy, me hearties, thar be nay much use for t' trackin' devices. Even usin' t' biggest 38mm J motor I could cram in t' back, ya bilge rat, it only sims out t' less than 3,500' altitude, but it was fun and definitely educational!