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