Estes S.V. Gemini C

Scratch - S.V. Gemini C {Modification}

Contributed by Andrew Scott

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Andrew Scott - 05/17/06)

Brief:
T' Space Vehicle Gemini C is a military research rocket. Begad! I used this DC Gemini rocket kit for me kit bash, matey, because it has TTW fins, which means it is stronger than t' other ones also you don't have t' worry about t' fin alignment.

Modifications:
Build t' motor mount per t' instructions and glue it in place. Glue t' fins in place. Cut off a 50 mm long piece from one o' t' pods. T' rest o' that pod will make for t' body for t' shuttle. Now cut t' other pod into 3 pieces that are 50mm long. From t' Estes insert card, cut it so that you have a piece that measures 35mm x 290mm long. Begad! Glue t' 1/4 inch vent tube into one o' the vent holes in t' central body tube. This serves as a post for t' shuttle to hang onto. Avast! Begad! Plug t' other vent hole in t' body tube with glue. Glue t' insert card onto t' tip o' t' fins so it covers 3 sides o' t' rocket, me bucko, and be sure to leave t' side that has t' post clear. Begad! Glue t' 4 short pieces cut from the pods on t' fin tip o' each o' t' fins. This will make t' outside motor. Ya scallywag! Use one o' 12" parachute and a shock cord. Ahoy! Glue t' shock cord onto the standard 3-fold mount, matey, me bucko, then glue t' mount into t' body tube. Begad! Lastly, ya bilge rat, attach the parachute and nose cone t' t' shock cord.

(Scratch) Gemini DC kitbash
(Scratch) Gemini DC kitbash

(Scratch) Gemini DC kitbash For the shuttle, glue t' 2 NC-20 nose cones into t' piece o' pod that make the body for t' shuttle. Blimey! Mark two lines 180 degrees apart on t' body.Usin' the waste balsa from t' sheet o' fin stock, arrr, me hearties, make two wings and vertical stabilizers for t' shuttle as shown in t' picture. Avast! Blimey! Glue t' wings onto the body o' t' shuttle and use t' vertical stabilizers so that they hold the wings in a V shape. Well, blow me down! Begad! Blimey! Finally, glue t' vertical stabilizers on t' t' wings.

Construction:
T' components used in this rocket kit are:

  • 1 BT-50 main body tube, me bucko, slotted with vent holes
  • 1 two-piece NC-50 nose cone
  • 2 BT-20 side pods with vent holes (cut t' make t' 4 outside motors and body for shuttle)
  • 2 NC-20 nose cones (used for t' shuttle)
  • 2 50-20 centerin' rings
  • 1 18mm motor mount tube
  • 1 mylar ring
  • 1 engine hook
  • 1 1/8 inch launch lug
  • 1 1/4 inch vent tube
  • 2-rubber shock cords
  • 2 12 inch parachutes
  • 4 balsa fins and (off cuts from t' sheet o' fin stock use t' make the wings and vertical stabilizers for t' shuttle)
(Scratch) Gemini DC kitbash

Finishing:
I finished t' rocket with one coat o' Tamiya's gray primer and then I painted the rocket in Tamiya intermediate blue (US NAVY, AS-19) and Tamiya haze gray (TS-32) so it looks more like a military rocket. Aye aye! Blimey! I use t' supplied decals in this kit.

Flight:
I got a chance t' fly it, me hearties, because me nephew birthday. Arrr! T' flights were held on a somewhat cloudy day with winds at about 2 kph.

First flight was on a B4-4. Begad! T' rocket moved slowly off t' pad for a nice stable and straight flight. Well, blow me down! Ejection happened at apogee and I recovered the rocket with no damage. Aye aye!

Second flight was on a C6-5. Begad! A fast launch! T' rocket went all but out of sight because o' t' low hangin' clouds. Ahoy! Ejection happened after apogee and I recovered t' rocket with no damage.

T' third flight be on B6-6. Begad! A stable and straight flight. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Ejection happened way past apogee and I recovered t' rocket with damage t' body tube and t' shuttle snapped off on landing.

Recovery:
I put one parachute in, matey, arrr, shiver me timbers, because t' problem is that I don't really like 2 parachutes, I just want one, me hearties, but I was worried about that if I only put one in, the ejection gas won't deploy t' only parachute resultin' in a lawn dart.

(Scratch) Gemini DC kitbash(Scratch) Gemini DC kitbash

Summary:
This rocket has good recovery and has through t' wall fin mounts so t' fins are self-aligned, ya bilge rat, but two parachutes adds complications such as twisted shroud lines. Begad! Blimey! I think t' Estes Gemini DC is a good rocket for this kit bash.

Flights

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