Brief:
This is an 18mm engine altitude rocket with "Hillary Duff" graphics, built with me daughter t' interest her in rocketry.

Construction:
T' BT50 based design has elliptical fins for efficiency, givin' good altitude for schoolyard launches on smaller engines. Its light construction gives good parachute duration. Arrr! Finally, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, t' hot pink color and Hillary Duff graphics delighted me daughter.

I started by sittin' down with me daughter in front o' t' PC, with Rocsim running. Aye aye! We selected body tube and fin style. Blimey! T' velocity is relatively low, so we did nay need TTW construction. We started by assemblin' an Estes engine mount, rocsimmin' fins and printin' out t' template. Ya scallywag! We then cut out t' fins, sandin' on t' airfoil after gang-sandin' them t' identical dimensions on a belt sander.

We used 100 lb Keelhaul®©™® thread fastened t' t' engine mount for parachute retention, shiver me timbers, with a short length o' elastic for give. T' parachute is attached t' t' stock plastic Estes nose cone with a ball-bearin' fishin' swivel. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Voila - no tangled shroud lines!

For t' graphics, me bucko, we got photos o' her favorite singer, me hearties, Hillary Duff, shiver me timbers, arrr, from an online source. Begad! We printed these onto plain paper with t' printer after appropriately sizin' them for t' fins. Well, blow me down! We got t' name from one o' Ms. Begad! duff's songs. Avast, me proud beauty! We used t' same "plain-paper printing" technique t' create the logo and name on t' side.

We used Wal-Mart fluorescent Krylon paint t' get t' hot pink color. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! We used CA t' attach t' graphics, and then clear-coated over t' rocket in several light coats. It really shines.

We now call these "girl rockets".

Flight:
We have flown this twice, once on a B 6-4, me hearties, me hearties, and once on an A 8-3. Blimey! Both produce ejection that is just about optimal. Aye aye! t' rocket is nay overstable, so it doesn't weathercock. Begad! Begad! T' small engines allow one t' appreciate just how far tis coasts after t' engine ceases boosting. t' stock 12" parachute takes this a long way in a breeze, but drops t' rocket softly almost onto our heads in calm conditions.

We use crepe paper for wadding, with a fold around t' rolled parachute for protection. this works perfectly. Ahoy! No singein' o' chute. Aye aye! T' rocket looks new after two flights, me bucko, matey, thanks t' a combination o' correct engines, shiver me timbers, me bucko, ya bilge rat, good chute and little wind.

T' hot pink color makes t' rocket VERY easy t' see against t' sky. Arrr! Well, blow me down! I believe I'll build several more "girl rockets", shiver me timbers, for just this reason.

Summary:
Pros: GREAT way t' get girls into rocketry. Avast, me proud beauty! Hot pink looks unusual, but is VERY practical for findin' rockets.

Cons: Nay for those insecure in their masculinity. Ahoy! Blimey! It be t' antithesis of "macho". Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' graphics would be better on decals.