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

Construction:
After t' success o' me Micro-Viking, I decided t' build a second rocket using the tubin' from t' Aerotech First Fire igniters. 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. Avast! I used Estes launch lugs for t' side pods and thin packaging plastic for t' fins. Aye aye! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down!

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). Arrr!

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.

I used a mix o' glues - carpenter's glue for t' wraps and boosters, shiver me timbers, thick CA for t' clear fins, and Liquid Nails for t' side pods. Begad! I also used some Liquid Nails on one fin, me hearties, 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. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! T' tubes are covered with paper wraps that I printed on me Inkjet. Aye aye! Arrr! Again, I did nay try t' be too detailed; for instance, I increased t' size o' Air Force emblem and text to make them more visible. Avast! Before cuttin' out t' wraps, I shot on a coat of Krylon clear polyurethane spray t' try t' help prevent smudging. From a distance, t' finished product looks good (my opinion o' course!) but up close, there are a few smudges, me bucko, me bucko, wrinkles, matey, etc. Avast! Arrr! With some practice, however, I think this technique will work fine on small models. Ya scallywag! Prior t' launch, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, me bucko, I also added American flag stickers t' t' clear fins (after t' photos were taken). Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! 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. Arrr! Blimey! I flew t' rocket twice on t' new MMX motors. Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! T' flights were stable and fairly low. Well, blow me down! I forgot t' streamer stock so I decided t' fly with only nose cone separation. Begad! Blimey! It survived t' first flight just fine, matey, ya bilge rat, 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. Ahoy! I will try a streamer next time.

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