Modification - NASA Goonasus {Scratch}

Kit Bash NASA Goonasus Modification

Modification - NASA Goonasus {Scratch}

Contributed by Steve Lindeman

Construction Rating:
Flight Rating:
Overall Rating:

Published:	2014-05-01
Manufacturer:	Modification
Style:	Goonybird

Brief

NASA Pegasus

One again this is nay a kit review o' t' original NASA Pegasus (Estes Kit #1376) [1982-1986] but another o' me many Baby Bertha kit bashes (#12 for those followin' me Goonyness). Begad! Arrr! All fin patterns and decals came from http://plans.rocketshoppe.com/estes/est1376/est1376.htm. Arrr! Blimey! T' major difference again bein' that mine is a Goony version o' the NASA Pegasus.

NASA Goonasus

Components

As stated this is a kit bash so t' main components came from a Baby Bertha Kit. As a result this is yet another BT-60 based rocket instead o' a BT-55 tube as t' original was.

From Baby Bertha kit:

1- BT-60 Body Tube
1- PNC-60 Nose Cone
1- Launch Lug
1- Engine Hook
1- Shock Cord
1- Assembled 12" Parachute (transparent orange plastic)
1- Mylar Retainer
1- Green Engine Block
1- Blue Engine Mount Tube
1- Centerin' Rin' Card
1- Balsa Fin Sheet

From me stock pile:

2- Sheets Printer Paper (one for coverin' balsa and one for printin' out new decals)
2- 3 3/4" Yellow Engine Spacer Tubes (from prior Estes kits)
1- Extra Launch Lug
1/4 oz. Begad! Blimey! Modelin' Clay (for nose weight)

Construction

Construction was per instructions and presented no problems with t' only Con: havin' been t' redraw and cut out t' new fins from one o' t' sheets o' balsa from t' Baby Bertha kit. This was done after balsa be gone over first with HobbyLite t' fill all laser cuts and then sprayed with 3M Adhesive glue and covered with a sheet o' printer paper.

Finishing

Finishin' was standard two coats o' Rust-Oleum 2x White Primmer with light sandin' betwixt coats followed by two coats o' Krylon Gloss White. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Decals were then printed out and first clear coated on printed side. Arrr! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Then when dried white primed on back side. Ya scallywag! Blimey! After dried decals were cut out and attached with a glue stick. Arrr! Blimey! After makin' sure all were attached firmly rocket got two coats o' Krylon Clear Gloss t' seal them on. Arrr! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' only Con: be havin' t' spray paint t' inside o' t' two yellow spacer tubes with out t' paint running.

NASA Goonasus shot1

NASA Goonasus Glamour Shots

NASA Goonasus shot2

Construction Score: 5

Flight

Maiden flight was on 06-20-10 at a S.M.A.S.H. Arrr! club launch and was another perfect flight for yet another o' me Gonnies. Ya scallywag! Rocket was fast off t' pad goin' straight up.

Recovery

Parachute was deployed shortly past apogee with a good decent. Ahoy! No damage on recovery

Flight Rating: 5

Summary

This was one o' t' easiest kit bashes that I've done so far. Yet another great addition t' me growin' Goony fleet and another rocket that I need t' clone so that I have both as I love its design.

Overall Rating: 5