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, arrr, givin' good altitude for schoolyard launches on smaller engines. Ahoy! Its light construction gives good parachute duration. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Finally, 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. Ahoy! Blimey! We selected body tube and fin style. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' velocity is relatively low, so we did nay need TTW construction. Avast! Blimey! We started by assemblin' an Estes engine mount, rocsimmin' fins and printin' out t' template. Avast! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! 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, with a short length o' elastic for give. Ahoy! T' parachute is attached t' t' stock plastic Estes nose cone with a ball-bearin' fishin' swivel. Begad! Voila - no tangled shroud lines!

For t' graphics, shiver me timbers, me bucko, we got photos o' her favorite singer, Hillary Duff, matey, from an online source. Arrr! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! We printed these onto plain paper with t' printer after appropriately sizin' them for t' fins. Arrr! Blimey! We got t' name from one o' Ms. Blimey! Blimey! duff's songs. Begad! Blimey! 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. Begad! We used CA t' attach t' graphics, and then clear-coated over t' rocket in several light coats. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! It really shines.

We now call these "girl rockets".

Flight:
We have flown this twice, matey, shiver me timbers, once on a B 6-4, ya bilge rat, and once on an A 8-3. Avast, me proud beauty! Both produce ejection that is just about optimal. Aye aye! Blimey! t' rocket is nay overstable, matey, so it doesn't weathercock. Avast! Blimey! T' small engines allow one t' appreciate just how far tis coasts after t' engine ceases boosting. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Blimey! t' stock 12" parachute takes this a long way in a breeze, arrr, arrr, 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. Arrr! Well, blow me down! this works perfectly. No singein' o' chute. T' rocket looks new after two flights, matey, thanks t' a combination o' correct engines, good chute and little wind.

T' hot pink color makes t' rocket VERY easy t' see against t' sky. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! I believe I'll build several more "girl rockets", for just this reason.

Summary:
Pros: GREAT way t' get girls into rocketry. Well, blow me down! Begad! Hot pink looks unusual, matey, me hearties, but is VERY practical for findin' rockets.

Cons: Nay for those insecure in their masculinity. Begad! Begad! It be t' antithesis of "macho". T' graphics would be better on decals.