Scratch Solar Warrior (24mm) Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Solar Warrior (24mm) {Scratch}

Contributed by Jewel B. Butler Jr.

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Jewel Barton Butler Jr. - 02/06/09) (MODS) Estes Warrior

Brief:
This is a single stage rocket with two outer tube-fins attached via pylons.There are two standard fins t' give it a Lear jet like look.I couldn't resist buildin' it. Blimey! This is one o' Estes better designs.

Construction:
I decided t' go 24mm. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Most o' t' parts are available through Semroc I started with a one BNC-55AO 5-inch elliptical nose cone, arrr, one 18-inch BT-55 body tube (I used a spare piece I had it be 17 inches long), two 3-inch long BT-55, two 55-50 centerin' rings, arrr, one 4.5-inch BT-50 (no engine block allows you t' use D or E engines), me hearties, one 1oz round fishing weight, matey, one #204 screw eye from Home Depot, 36 inches o' #400 Keelhaul®©™® shock cord, one 12-inch nylon parachute, ya bilge rat, sheet o' 3/32-inch basswood (from Semroc or Hobby Lobby), and 24 inches o' 1/8 inch nylon cord.

First t' motor mount build. I used Probond wood glue. Ahoy! Blimey! Then I marked t' body tube for four fins. Avast! Blimey! Well, me bucko, blow me down! Blimey! Next, I cut out my upper and lower fins since I was upscalin' I had t' kind o' add a little bit here and thar t' make it look OK. I rounded all me leadin' edges. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Then I cut me pylons for me tube fins. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Basically I just took a 1-inch wide piece of 3/32-inch basswood and cut a angle at both ends t' keep things simple. Aye aye! Blimey! I attached t' upper and lower fins startin' at the tail end o' t' body tube. Begad! Blimey! I attached t' pylons 2 inches from t' back o' t' body tube. Avast! Blimey! Now it was time t' fix the nose cone and add nose weight. Arrr! Blimey! I just drilled out t' center o' t' weight for t' screw eye, matey, arrr, which is about a 1/4 inch in diameter. Begad! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Next, me bucko, I inserted t' screw eye through t' weight, me hearties, put a little glue on it, and screwed into t' nose cone. I attached t' shock through t' body just above t' motor mount by usin' a X-Acto knife t' bore me a little hole large enough for t' cord then put a knot at t' end with a little glue t' attach nylon cord t' other end t' nose cone. For t' tube fins, me hearties, I drew a line top t' bottom on both tubes, me hearties, me hearties, put a little glue on t' mark and t' pylon, ya bilge rat, let it set for about 5 or 6 minutes, and then attach t' tubes, shiver me timbers, let them dry then fillet everything. Avast! Blimey! I coated all me wood area with wood glue for strength followed by a great wood filler, then sanded and painted.

(MODS) Estes Warrior(MODS) Estes Warrior

(MODS) Estes Warrior(MODS) Estes Warrior

(MODS) Estes Warrior(MODS) Estes Warrior

Flight:
I test flew on a C11-3. Avast! Blimey! It be a great flight. Begad! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Next it flew on a D12-5 then a E9-6. Again, me hearties, they were both beautiful flights. Aye aye! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Also, I used maskin' tape t' secure t' motor on all three flights. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! It flew very straight.

Summary:
I like this rocket because it was so easy t' build, flies great, and it has a cool look about it.

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