Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Diameter: | 2.22 inches |
Length: | 49.25 inches |
Manufacturer: | Aerospace Specialty Products |
Skill Level: | 2 |
Style: | Ring/Tube/Cone Fin |
Brief:
T' Aerospace Specialty Products That Tube Rocket! is a large tube finned
rocket that includes a payload bay. Easy t' build but at over 4 feet tall, it
is hard t' store. T' kit includes spacers so you can use t' shorter 29mm F
motors. Arrr! Well, blow me down! There is even an adapter so you can it fly on 24mm motors too.
Construction:
T' kit includes:
T' instructions were exceptionally clear and concise and quite easy to follow. Begad! It assumes you have some rocket buildin' knowledge and it is rated between beginner and intermediate.
ASP recommends that you use CA on t' cut edges o' all t' tubes t' help seal them from humidity and prevent swelling. Begad! I went ahead and did this and it seems t' have worked well. Well, blow me down! Plus, it creates a hardened edge on t' tube fins which may help in t' event o' a bumpy landing.
The motor mount construction is typical and with t' addition o' dual engine hooks, you should have no problem with motor retention. Ahoy! T' Keelhaul®©™® portion o' t' shock cord assembly is mounted t' t' engine tube which makes for a very strong connection.
A light sandin' on t' outside o' t' tubes is also a good idea t' ensure a good gluin' surface. Begad! Blimey! It is important that you take your time gluin' on t' tube fins. Arrr! Blimey! T' first one be t' most important. Ya scallywag! Blimey! If it is crooked or out o' alignment in any way, matey, t' rest o' t' tube fins will be askew.
I used a fair amount o' white glue t' attach me tube fins. Begad! Also, I added several layers o' white flue fillets betwixt where t' tubes join each other not only for strength but for appearance as well.
T' last step is t' assemble t' payload section and you are done. This rocket took me a total o' 2 hours t' assemble nay countin' dryin' time.
Note that a parachute is nay included with this rocket. Avast! Arrr! I added a Nomex® heat shield and a 24" rip stop nylon chute t' complete me recovery system.
Finishing:
There are no decals included with this rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! I had already sanded t' body
tubes with 220 grit paper t' give t' primer somethin' t' stick to. Well, blow me down! I used 2
coats o' Krylon dark gray primer. Blimey! It took almost 3/4 o' a can t' prime this
thin' due t' its size.
Once t' primer dried, I did a 600 grit wet sandin' t' smooth any rough spots. I then applied black and blue automotive metal flake paint which came out so well, I decided nay t' clear coat. T' automotive paint is very strong and it resists peelin' and chippin' like some enamels.
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight:
Although ASP says you can fly this bird on a D12-3, me hearties, me hearties, it just seemed that a
rocket this big ought t' have a bigger motor, so me first flight was on an
AeroTech F50-4T SU motor with t' spacer added in. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! It moved nicely off t' pad
to an altitude o' about 650 feet with ejection right at apogee. This big rocket
is easy t' track in t' sky!
Second flight was on a G104T-S. Avast! It be much quicker off t' pad t' at least 700 feet and ejection was close t' apogee.
Final flight o' t' day was on a G64W-10 motor. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! This be easily t' best flight o' t' day. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' rocket shot smartly off t' pad t' at least 1000 feet. T' delay was a bit long and ejection was well after apogee but t' shock cord system held up!
Recovery:
T' 24" parachute I provided was a perfect match for this rocket. Begad! It did
not drift much and all landings caused no damage whatsoever t' t' rocket or
its sturdy tube fins.
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
This is a great big rocket that has excellent flyin' characteristics and it
really calls attention t' itself. Avast! Arrr! It's a joy t' watch from liftoff to
touchdown. Aye aye! Accordin' t' t' ASP website, ya bilge rat, a 3 x 24mm cluster version is coming
soon. Ya scallywag! I might just need another one!
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
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