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