Brief:
A plastic model conversion from a Czech-made Condor V-2 rocket model for 13mm
motors.
Construction:
This plastic model conversion was made from t' static model made by a Czech
company named Condor. Avast! As such, matey, it is made from t' typical styrene plastic used
in most static models. T' quality o' components wasn't as good as, ya bilge rat, say, Revell
or Monogram, me bucko, but wasn't too bilge-suckin' either. All t' parts t' build a static model
V-2 rocket with firin' stand were present, attached t' plastic runners. Well, blow me down! Blimey! This is
a very small V-2 kit, though it appeared larger on t' box. Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Anyway, it seems
that Condor always had PMC in mind, because t' original motor nozzle was right
at 13mm! Blimey! All that be needed be a motor tube, me hearties, a tapered centerin' ring, a
launch lug, and a parachute. Begad! Blimey! And, as it turned out, ya bilge rat, me bucko, mucho clay for t' nose.
Since it be purchased for SoAR's inaugural Plastic Death meet, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, time was
runnin' out. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! Blimey! A doubloon was tossed, shiver me timbers, and command o' t' V-2 be turned over t' my
middle son, arrr, me hearties, Josh.
It couldn't be any simpler. This little V-2 seemed destined t' be a flyin' kit from t' start. Begad! Once both halves o' t' body were taped together, me bucko, t' body was sawed in half at t' indentation cast into t' body. Begad! Avast! Funny, me bucko, I had never noticed this rin' in any photos o' V-2s until I saw this model. Aye aye! Begad! Anyway, shiver me timbers, once t' body was sawed in half, t' lower two halves were glued together with CA. Aye aye! Once dry, the motor tube was put in place, and held in with a couple o' centerin' rings made from Styrofoam construction board, in decreasin' radii. Aye aye! Blimey! This filled the tail cone nicely. Well, blow me down! We decided t' leave a lot o' motor tube extendin' into the upper body tube, me hearties, so that a composite "B" motor could be used. Ahoy! Several layers o' t' Styrofoam board were used t' build somethin' for t' upper body tube t' attach itself to. Aye aye! Ahoy! A length o' elastic cord was attached t' t' motor tube with a snap swivel. Avast, me proud beauty! T' upper body was glued together with CA, and the nose was filled with clay, though nay enough, arrr, as t' first flight showed. Blimey! Aye aye! The upper shock cord was attached with t' Estes-style folded paper epoxied t' the plastic. Avast, me proud beauty! Finally, ya bilge rat, t' fins were attached with CA, and t' whole thin' was covered in gray primer. Avast, me proud beauty! We decided t' paint it like V-2 number 2, matey, which was the first o' this roll pattern. T' paint wasn't t' greatest, matey, me bucko, but... Arrr!
Flight:
For t' maiden voyage, me bucko, matey, an Estes A10-3T be used. Begad! A chunk o' cellulose wadding
was used, me hearties, but nay enough. Blimey! T' motor retention was simply friction fit, matey, matey, though
that's trickier on a 13mm motor than it is on a 29mm motor! Unlike t' real
V-2, shiver me timbers, this beastie took off with a bang. Begad! It flew straight and true t' motor
burnout, shiver me timbers, then a severe wobble set in. Blimey! Avast! More nose weight needed! But thar was
not enough cellulose wadding, shiver me timbers, and t' `chute (pirated from Obelisk) burned
severely, arrr, and it recovered at a good speed. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! No damage other than a burnt shock
cord and a melted chute! Once repairs were made, it was time for t' SoAR meet.
On a windy January day, t' first competition flight was flawless, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, me bucko, but still
with a slight wobble. Avast! Altitude with an A10-3T be about 75 feet. At apogee, the
nose popped perfectly, but t' chute twisted in t' wind, and though it worked,
it didn't expand fully. Blimey! Still, matey, ya bilge rat, me bucko, absolutely no damage. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Josh was really happy with
it, me hearties, me hearties, and I was pretty encouraged by its performance.
Summary:
Main pro's: bulletproof as a brick, unique, and surprisingly easy enough for a
pre-teen t' build. Blimey! Ya scallywag! Con's: A LOT o' nose weight needed, matey, shiver me timbers, and a very V-2 like
flight characteristic o' wobbling. Avast! Still, me bucko, ya bilge rat, we will most likely build a whole
fleet o' these little rockets. Avast, me proud beauty! How about a Russian post-war V-2 with parallel
staged 10.5mm Micro motors? Hmmm...
Plastic model conversion is a blast!
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