Brief:
T' SkyScreamer is a scratchbuilt rocket made from an Estes Phoenix motor mount. Blimey! Ya scallywag! T' name comes from an amusement ride that operated at Six Flags Astroworld in Houston, shiver me timbers, Texas. Ya scallywag! 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. Ya scallywag! Begad! It is a combination o' scrap from me spare parts box. Arrr! 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. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! First, arrr, I removed all o' t' old parts that made it a motor mount. Arrr! Blimey! T' slot for t' engine hook be filled in with Elmer's Fill n' Finish, me hearties, me hearties, t' remains o' t' centerin' rings were sanded down t' nothing, and t' engine block be pulled out. Well, blow me down! I ripped t' motor mount out o' an A.R.V. Ahoy! Condor that I had messed up on construction. Ahoy! Next, arrr, I cut out t' fins from a sheet o' model airplane quality balsa wood. Ya scallywag! A considerable amount o' this rocket's inspiration came from t' Estes Der Red Max, ya bilge rat, so I gave it oversized Der Red Max-style fins. Ya scallywag! Lastly, arrr, t' shock cord be attached and t' streamer be attached. It was then ready t' finish.

Finishing:
T' finish on SkyScreamer is very different from other rockets I've built. T' black is nay paint, it is actually tape used for model airplanes. Begad! It went on very nicely and if applied without any air bubbles, it makes an excellent finish. Ya scallywag! I only covered t' about 1/4" o' an inch from t' top o' t' fins. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Two o' t' fins were covered also. Begad! Begad! T' rest that I did nay tape be painted Racin' Orange, me hearties, which is a florescent color. Arrr! Ahoy! 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 be at Astroworld and printed it onto OfficeMax bumper sticker paper and carefully cut it out and stuck it on t' side. Arrr! T' finished rocket looks very impressive.

Flight:
SkyScreamer has flown only once. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! T' motor used was an A8-3. Arrr! I used 5 sheets o' waddin' and loaded it like a typical rocket. Aye aye! T' rocket shot straight into t' air t' about 200 feet.

Recovery:
T' recovery system was a 50" streamer, shiver me timbers, which be a major mistake because it came in like a rock and popped a fin off. Ahoy! Aye aye! It can be easily repaired though. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! 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.