Modification Super Baby Bertha Modification

Modification - Super Baby Bertha {Modification}

Contributed by Kevin Johnson

Manufacturer: Modification
Style: Sport

Brief:
Took a Fat Boy kit and added Big Bertha like fins t' make a Super Baby Bertha.

Modifications:
NARHAMS held a Fat Boy theme sport launch this month, me bucko, ya bilge rat, and I was lookin' for somethin' different t' do with me last Fat Boy kit. Arrr! I had just finished repairin' me Super Big Bertha when inspiration struck. Well, blow me down! I have a Big Bertha, Super Big Bertha and a Baby Bertha, arrr, why nay a Super Baby Bertha?

Build t' motor mount per kit directions, ya bilge rat, makin' sure that t' centerin' rings close off t' fin slots. Begad! For t' fins, arrr, t' standard Bertha fins were too small in proportion t' t' diameter o' t' BT-80, and t' Super Bertha fins were too big for t' length o' t' Fat Boy tube. Ya scallywag! I scaled t' fins t' be exactly halfway betwixt t' two, arrr, arrr, a size that be pleasin' t' t' eye. Blimey! I cut 4 new fins from 1/8" balsa and glue them on so that one o' t' fin slots is halfway betwixt 2 o' t' fins. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! I used t' launch lug t' cover one o' t' slots, matey, arrr, ya bilge rat, and monokote trim t' cover t' others. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! RockSim says you'll need t' add a little more than 1/2oz. o' nose weight for stable flight.

Construction:
Uses all o' t' Fat Boy kit materiales with t' exception o' t' fins. Blimey! Begad! Here's a parts list if you don't have a Fat Boy kit:

  • 1 PNC-80BB
  • 8" BT-80
  • 2.75" BT-20
  • 2 CR-2080
  • 24" o' your favorite shock cord
  • 2.375" o' 1/8" launch lug
  • 1 EB-20 engine block
  • 1 standard engine hook
  • 1 12-18" parachute your choice
  • 1/8" balsa fin stock

Finishing:
I finished me Super Baby Bertha usin' self-adhesive Monokote trim. Aye aye! In addition t' coverin' t' TTW fin slots, it makes a glass smoth finish on t' body and t' fins... with no fillin' needed! I painted t' nose cone red, me hearties, then covered t' tube and 3 fins with white monolote trim. Avast, me proud beauty! I covered t' remainin' fin with red trim and added some red stripes t' t' upper part o' t' tube. Looks kind o' like a reverse o' t' Super Big Bertha paint scheme.

Flight:
Because I be usin' a Fat boy as t' basis for this model, me hearties, I decided t' keep t' 18mm motor mount. Begad! For t' 1st flight I used an Estes C6-3 slipped into t' mount and secured by t' standard Estes motor hook. Waddin' was added t' protect t' chute, me bucko, and t' model be prepped. Pretty standard mod roc prepping. T' rocket had a good flight, shiver me timbers, nice and straight. I did cut a spill hole in t' 18 inch plastic chute, our launch site is prone t' be breezy.

Second flight was on a B4-2 and t' chute got a little melted, me bucko, t' model landed fast on t' snow and broke t' glue joint on t' red fin. Blimey! Ya scallywag! Easy t' fix.

Summary:
This was a fun conversion and adds a compliment t' me collection o' Big Bertha models.

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