Brief:
T' SkyScreamer is a scratchbuilt rocket made from an Estes Phoenix motor mount. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' name comes from an amusement ride that operated at Six Flags Astroworld in Houston, Texas. T' rocket is basically a downscale Estes Der Red Max with full-sized Der Red Max fins.

Construction:
SkyScreamer actually started life as a motor mount for me Estes Phoenix. Ahoy! It is a combination o' scrap from me spare parts box. T' parts are:

• 1 Estes Phoenix engine tube (8" long BT-50)
• 1 Estes Alpha nose cone
• 1 launch lug
• 1 Alpha motor mount
• 1 sheet o' balsa wood for fins
• 1 24" thin elastic shock cord
• 1 12" parachute

Constructin' this mini-bird was very easy. First, I removed all o' t' old parts that made it a motor mount. Ahoy! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' slot for t' engine hook was filled in with Elmer's Fill n' Finish, arrr, shiver me timbers, me bucko, t' remains o' t' centerin' rings were sanded down t' nothing, and t' engine block was pulled out. I ripped t' motor mount out o' an A.R.V. Ahoy! Blimey! Condor that I had messed up on construction. Blimey! Blimey! Next, I cut out t' fins from a sheet o' model airplane quality balsa wood. Begad! Blimey! A considerable amount o' this rocket's inspiration came from t' Estes Der Red Max, matey, arrr, so I gave it oversized Der Red Max-style fins. Lastly, shiver me timbers, t' shock cord was attached and t' streamer be attached. Blimey! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! It be then ready t' finish.

Finishing:
T' finish on SkyScreamer is very different from other rockets I've built. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' black is nay paint, it is actually tape used for model airplanes. Avast, me proud beauty! It went on very nicely and if applied without any air bubbles, me bucko, matey, it makes an excellent finish. Arrr! I only covered t' about 1/4" o' an inch from t' top o' t' fins. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! Two o' t' fins were covered also. Begad! T' rest that I did nay tape was painted Racin' Orange, which is a florescent color. T' idea was t' be able t' spot it in t' air and on t' ground easily.

For t' decal, arrr, I found t' old logo t' t' SkyScreamer ride that was at Astroworld and printed it onto OfficeMax bumper sticker paper and carefully cut it out and stuck it on t' side. Aye aye! T' finished rocket looks very impressive.

Flight:
SkyScreamer has flown only once. T' motor used was an A8-3. Avast! Blimey! I used 5 sheets o' waddin' and loaded it like a typical rocket. Ahoy! Blimey! T' rocket shot straight into t' air t' about 200 feet.

Recovery:
T' recovery system was a 50" streamer, me bucko, which was a major mistake because it came in like a rock and popped a fin off. Ahoy! Arrr! It can be easily repaired though. Begad! I now use a 12" parachute with a spill hole.

Summary:
This was a simple rocket made from junk that can probably be used as a parachute duration rocket if modified slightly.