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