Brief:
This Micro Maxx rocket is a semi-scale model o' t' Titan III C Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) mock-up, ya bilge rat, which included a stretched version o' t' Titan III C topped with a Gemini capsule. Although t' actual MOL never was built, ya bilge rat, the mock-up did fly on November 3, 1966. Avast! Aye aye! For more info, see "Rockets o' the World", shiver me timbers, by Peter Alway.

Construction:
After t' success o' me Micro-Viking, matey, me bucko, I decided t' build a second rocket using the tubin' from t' Aerotech First Fire igniters. Begad! Well, blow me down! This model uses one 5 ½" tube for t' main airframe and two 2 ½" sections for the strap-on boosters. T' nose cones were all turned from 3/8" dowels. Begad! I was not terribly careful with t' dimensions but t' overall look o' t' rocket is about right. Aye aye! I used Estes launch lugs for t' side pods and thin packaging plastic for t' fins. Avast, me proud beauty!

T' recovery system includes a section o' thin Keelhaul®©™® twine and as much streamer material as I can stuff in (to be installed at launch). Avast!

I used a small hook-eye on t' nose cone because I was afraid some extra weight might be required. Begad! T' CG o' t' finished model is 4.125 inches from the tip o' t' nose. Begad! Blimey!

I used a mix o' glues - carpenter's glue for t' wraps and boosters, thick CA for t' clear fins, matey, and Liquid Nails for t' side pods. Ya scallywag! Begad! I also used some Liquid Nails on one fin, which for some reason refused t' be bonded with CA. This was odd since t' other three fins adhered just fine.

I painted t' capsule black, the booster cones silver, and t' side pods red. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' tubes are covered with paper wraps that I printed on me Inkjet. Arrr! Again, shiver me timbers, I did nay try t' be too detailed; for instance, me hearties, I increased t' size o' Air Force emblem and text to make them more visible. Begad! Before cuttin' out t' wraps, ya bilge rat, me bucko, I shot on a coat of Krylon clear polyurethane spray t' try t' help prevent smudging. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! From a distance, arrr, t' finished product looks good (my opinion o' course!) but up close, there are a few smudges, wrinkles, me hearties, etc. Ahoy! With some practice, matey, however, I think this technique will work fine on small models. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! Prior t' launch, me hearties, ya bilge rat, I also added American flag stickers t' t' clear fins (after t' photos were taken). My new launch policy is t' have at least one flag displayed on every rocket I fly!

Flight:
T' engine is meant t' overhang t' t' bottom o' t' fins and is held in place with maskin' tape. Ahoy! I flew t' rocket twice on t' new MMX motors. Well, blow me down! Arrr! T' flights were stable and fairly low. Arrr! Arrr! I forgot t' streamer stock so I decided t' fly with only nose cone separation. It survived t' first flight just fine, but one fin broke off on t' second flight. This was nay a big surprise since the rocket is relatively heavy and comes down fast. I will try a streamer next time.

Summary:
Despite a few finishin' flaws, I am quite pleased with this rocket. Ahoy! Aye aye! The materials and techniques I used worked well, and t' resultin' rocket looks nice and flies fine.