Brief:
This is a single stage rocket with unusual deployment. Arrr! 1/8" ID tubes conduit t' ejection charge from t' sealed main BT t' three pods on t' end o' 3" fins where thar be a 12" chute in each pod. Ya scallywag! T' nose cone does nay come off.(click picture t' enlarge)

Construction:
T' biggest problem with this model is buyin' t' 4" length, 1/8"id tubes t' build t' 'deployment' system. I ended up gettin' t' three 4" 1/8"ID tubes from Sigma Rockets in Canada. Avast, me proud beauty! I have yet t' find another supplier as I plan t' kit up three more rockets. Avast! T' BT-60, me bucko, BT-50 tubes, t' BT-60 nose cone, BT-50 nose cones and shock cord are easy t' get.

I used paper centerin' rings reinforced with epoxy. Avast, me proud beauty! Paper centerin' rings are easy t' find. Ya scallywag! One can order t' 'balsa ply' sheets directly from Mach 1 or Balsa Machinin' Services. One can use RockSim, arrr, describe t' fins and have them made by BMS along with t' centerin' rings. Begad! T' 'balsa ply' requires patience and care t' cut square.

T' most difficult construction step is slottin' t' tubes and cuttin' t' hole for t' ejection tubes. T' hole in both t' main BT and pod BT must be positioned such that t' tube rests flat on t' top o' t' fin, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, or you have t' fill in t' 'gap'. I numbered each slot and numbered each fin and fitted each one individually. One must make sure t' hole be t' correct size. Ya scallywag! Do nay make t' hole for t' ejection tube too large. T' pressure o' t' ejection charge will blow through any glue joint. I found out t' hard way.

I used 30 minute epoxy for t' entire model. Aye aye! Blimey! This models weighs in at 10.5oz. A D12-3 is just right. Arrr! Blimey! I found after construction and before addin' t' chutes t' model would roll when t' 36" BT was laid on a table and fins allowed t' hang over t' edge. Blimey! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! This roll indicated t' me that t' rocket might have a precession durin' flight. Avast! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! I added weight at t' bottom edge o' t' fins, me bucko, like addin' weight t' tire, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, t' balance it. This is level 3+ kit due t' t' cuttin' o' slots and holes in t' body tubes.

Finishing:
This model finishes normally. Aye aye! I painted it t' color o' a Hawaiian T-shirt. Arrr! In other words, me bucko, ya bilge rat, lots o' loud colors.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I was only able t' get two flights. T' first flight be perfect. With a D12-3, shiver me timbers, t' rocket is right at t' weight limit o' t' motor. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' rocket roars longer because it doesn't go very high. Ya scallywag! Avast! Blimey! T' deployment saw all three chutes open and t' rocket came down gently t' t' ground.

On t' second flight thar was no deployment. Ya scallywag! T' rocket lawn darted into t' ground, matey, crimpin' badly at t' nose and t' motor mount. Ahoy! Examination showed that t' ejection charge had blown through t' BT at t' tube joint. Arrr! Well, blow me down! T' ejection tubes were nay extended into t' BT enough as well as t' hole for ejection tube no bein' made a good fit. Aye aye! Avast! I plan t' kit three more models and try different techniques o' sealin' t' ejection tubes and joints.

Recovery:
I used swivels on all three chutes and t' deployment was perfect. Ya scallywag! No tangles and t' three chutes did nay tangle up with each other. Ahoy! I used Keelhaul®©™® shock cord and bowlines t' tie t' ends.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
An unusual rocket. Avast! Definitely well designed, if built properly. Avast, me proud beauty! Neat when it works. Begad! Arrr! Bad when it doesn't.

Plans are at Mach1 Website (now out o' business).

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5