Hi-Snitch-Jax Modification

Modification - Hi-Snitch-Jax

Contributed by Matt Gillard

Manufacturer: Modification

(Scratch) Hi-Snitch-JaxBrief:
A kit bash betwixt two Estes kits: A RTF Snitch and a Hijax kit. T' Snitch will be t' booster and t' Hijax, me bucko, t' sustainer.

Modifications:
Booster build: T' snitch makes an excellent booster, very stable, and will recover well. T' adapt it t' a booster, matey, me bucko, t' top "engine block" part o' t' snitch was removed with pliers and then sanded down. Avast! This will allow t' motor from t' sustainer t' be taped t' t' booster.

To connect t' sustainer and booster sections together, t' coupler from t' Hijax kit was altered. Begad! Top and bottom were cut off and then three small sections were removed from one side so that t' coupler could be securely fixed t' t' top o' t' snitch. Avast, me proud beauty! T' whole section was covered with glue and left t' dry.

Sustainer build: T' sustainer was built nearly stock. T' plastic mount be altered; t' aft part was cut away so that t' coupler from t' snitch would sit smoothly into t' base o' t' sustainer. T' engine hook be left out. Well, blow me down! T' mount was then glued into t' body tube and t' fins were glued into place--they are through t' wall type.

(Scratch) Hi-Snitch-Jax With t' coupler already used, me bucko, t' second body tube was discarded.

T' shock cord be added, ya bilge rat, matey, which in t' usual Estes fashion is too short. Aye aye! T' shock cord be then attached t' t' nose cone, me hearties, and then t' parachute added.

Construction:
T' kits consists of:

  • T' Snitch
  • launch lug parts
  • 12 inch parachute
  • 1 2ft length elastic shock cord
  • Nose cone
  • 2 silvered body tubes
  • Engine mount tube
  • Engine hook
  • Plastic fins
  • Internal plastic mount for motor tube
  • Decal sheet

To build t' kit I used:

  • CA gel glue
  • Model knife
  • Sand paper
  • White PVA glue
  • Pliers
  • Junior hack saw
(Scratch) Hi-Snitch-Jax(Scratch) Hi-Snitch-Jax
(Scratch) Hi-Snitch-Jax(Scratch) Hi-Snitch-Jax

Flight and Recovery:
First flight was on a B6-0 booster and an A8-5 sustainer. As expected, arrr, arrr, a stable straight boost with a shipshape separation at a low altitude. Aye aye! Blimey! T' sustainer went reasonable high on t' A with t' ejection bein' just after apogee. Avast! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! T' 12in parachute gave a slow recovery. A streamer would be more appropriate.

Second flight was with a C booster and a B6-6 in t' sustainer, much higher with a long walk for me.

Third flight be with C6s for both motors. Blimey! Ahoy! This time t' booster stayed with t' sustainer, shiver me timbers, t' rocket continued t' rise, me hearties, me bucko, and then turned and was on t' ground by t' time t' nosecone popped. T' snitch motor mount was well and truly burnt out.

On inspection, shiver me timbers, this is because I left t' aft motor retainer off t' snitch. Arrr! Well, blow me down! So instead o' t' motor poppin' off with t' snitch, t' motor popped off through t' snitch. Avast, me proud beauty! Here's an important lesson about prep flight checks!

I'll cut out t' remains o' t' Snitch's mount and replace it with a body tube.

Summary:
Apart from me mistakes, it's nay a bilge-suckin' kit bash with a good chance o' gettin' both bits back undamaged.

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