Scratch USA Gymnastics Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - USA Gymnastics {Scratch}

Contributed by Alex Rothchild

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Alex Jordan - 01/06/05) (Scratch) USA Gymnastics rocket

Brief:
This is a single stage, scratch built rocket with six fins, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, 24mm motor mount, and 3/16 launch lug. Avast! It can hold up t' a F21-8. Begad! It is painted yellow, ya bilge rat, me hearties, orange, and black along with a big USA Gymnastics sticker on it since I built it for my sister, me hearties, ya bilge rat, who is a gymnast. Blimey!

Construction:
I used all Estes components. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' parts list:

  • 1 14" long BT-80 body tube
  • 1 3" long BT-80 body tube
  • 1 BT-80 tube coupler
  • 1 NC-80
  • 1 24mm motor mount for BT-80
  • 1 18" chute
  • 1 1/4" x 48" inch shock cord
  • 2 3" x 12" x 3/16" balsa sheets
  • 1 plastic straw (used as a launch lug)

This was a simple rocket t' build. Ahoy! It consisted o' buildin' a traditional 24mm motor mount (centerin' rings, matey, matey, MM tube, me bucko, matey, engine hook, engine block, and paper ring). Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Once those were on, shiver me timbers, me bucko, I used t' Estes body tube markin' guide (a MUST have) t' make six lines on t' BT. Ya scallywag! I then cut out two different fin patterns and positioned t' fins around t' body tube. Well, blow me down! I glued them on and applied t' usual fillets. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! T' fins were surface mounted. Aye aye! I then glued t' tube coupler into t' 3" BT-80 tube and t' nose cone on t' other end. Ya scallywag! The shock cord be connected t' t' upper centerin' rin' and t' t' nose cone. Begad! The chute be connected t' t' shock cord. Aye aye! I then used regular straws for launch lugs.

Finishing:
I primed it with Rustoleum and painted it yellow, orange, and black. Aye aye! Begad! I put a USA Gymnastics sticker on it.

Flight:
This rocket has flown once on a D12-3. Blimey! Ya scallywag! It be a great flight t' about 1000 feet. Blimey! T' delay could be a bit longer though. Begad! It got scratched up a lot on landin' and popped a fin.

Recovery:
Ejection be right at apogee. Ahoy! Arrr! T' 18" chute inflated and t' rocket drifted about 100ft down field.

Summary:
I think this is a great rocket. Well, blow me down! It came out well and flies great on 24mm engines. Arrr! Well, blow me down! T' next flight is planned for a D12-3. Avast!

comment Post a Comment