Manufacturer: | Scratch |
Brief:
This is a minimum diameter 13mm downscale o' t' Estes Endurin' Freedom Patriot
Missile. Ahoy! Aye aye! Blimey! It could also be considered a downscale o' t' Estes OOPs Mini
Patriot. Ahoy! Ahoy! Blimey! Plus thar are a couple o' other o' versions that I'm aware of. Ahoy! This
is t' latest version o' this paint job that I have done. Begad! Blimey! I have done the
upscale and downscale o' this paint job at least 7 times.
Construction:
Parts list:
Downscalin' can be a pain, but when I did t' math on this one it came out that t' dimensions are 1/3 o' t' Estes Endurin' Freedom Patriot.
For t' fins I used some scrap balsa. Ahoy! They measured 1" for t' root edge, 1/2" for t' trailin' edge, 0.4 inches for t' outside edge (I had to use a scale t' layout that one), and t' leadin' edge was a matter of drawin' a diagonal betwixt t' 0.4" and 1" mark. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! T' fins were drawn on an index card that I used as a template. When traced on t' balsa, matey, me hearties, I kept grain direction in mind. Aye aye! T' body tube was marked with a markin' guide left over from some past kit. Well, blow me down! Never throw those things away--you may need them. Ahoy! The engine block be glued in usin' white glue and a spent engine t' set t' depth, leavin' 1/4" o' t' motor hangin' out t' back. Ahoy! T' fins were glued on usin' thin CA. Arrr! I also coated t' fins with thin CA for strength. T' fins were held 1/16" from t' bottom o' t' rocket. Avast! Begad! T' launch lug is glued next to one o' t' fins makin' sure it does nay go past t' leadin' edge o' t' fin. Ya scallywag!
Finishing:
There are a couple o' steps t' get t' paint right. I think t' paint is
important t' this downscale because it identifies t' rocket as a Patriot. Begad! Ahoy! The
entire rocket was first primed and then painted gloss white. Blimey! Startin' from the
top, me bucko, shiver me timbers, t' paint layout I used is as follows:
I started on t' body tube by takin' a black marker and goin' around t' rim to finish t' black. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' black stripes are 3/16" by 1/2" long. Avast! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I used the fin markin' guide t' center them and layout for t' bottom stripes also.
I painted t' t' top o' t' fins red and a 3/8" band o' black on top of that.
I used rub on letters from Radio Shack, but I am nay happy with t' look so I think I may cover them up with a lay over printed on t' computer.
T' black stripes on t' yellow were just drawn in with a roller ball pen.
Flight:
I didn't simulate this rocket but I did swin' test it. Avast! It be a little light in
the nose so I added a bb t' t' inside for weight. Ya scallywag! I simply drilled an
1/8" hole into t' cone and pushed it about an inch into t' cone. This
got it swingin' level. I also used t' hole t' attach t' shock cord. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! I
inserted t' Keelhaul®©™®
into t' hole and used a small amount o' epoxy t' glue it in. Begad! T' other end was
attached via an Estes style paper folded shock cord mount deep inside t' body
tube. Begad! T' streamer is a foot long piece o' survey tape in t' middle o' the
Keelhaul®©™®.
I took me newest Patriot t' t' local ball fields for these flights. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! I went right after work so as t' get done before football practice, but I still drew a bit o' a crowd o' little football players who arrived early.
Flight 1:
1/2A3-4T and some dog barf. Begad! Blimey! This be t' motor for this rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It was overcast
but it was easy t' spot and t' delay was right on.
Flight 2: Another 1/2A3-4T. Begad! Maybe was a 1 on t' delay. I lost half o' the streamer.
Flight 3: I got aggressive and went with an A3-4T. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Whiplash city. Begad! Arrr! T' delay was on time but they don't make a 6 second delay. It held together though. Well, blow me down! I didn't see t' ejection but I caught it way up thar cartwheelin' in t' sky.
Summary:
This probably would be better suited as a Micro Maxx rocket. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! At least you could
see it. I like t' performance o' minimum diameter 13mm rockets and this is the
smallest version o' t' Patriot t' date. Begad! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! They are very high performance but if
you want a paint job t' match they can be a pain.
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