Brief:
This is a single stage rocket with unusual deployment. Ahoy! Blimey! 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. Begad! Aye aye! 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! Ya scallywag! I have yet t' find another supplier as I plan t' kit up three more rockets. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' BT-60, BT-50 tubes, t' BT-60 nose cone, shiver me timbers, BT-50 nose cones and shock cord are easy t' get.

I used paper centerin' rings reinforced with epoxy. Paper centerin' rings are easy t' find. Blimey! Ahoy! One can order t' 'balsa ply' sheets directly from Mach 1 or Balsa Machinin' Services. One can use RockSim, matey, me hearties, describe t' fins and have them made by BMS along with t' centerin' rings. 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! 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, or you have t' fill in t' 'gap'. Avast! Aye aye! I numbered each slot and numbered each fin and fitted each one individually. Avast! Aye aye! One must make sure t' hole be t' correct size. Begad! Do nay make t' hole for t' ejection tube too large. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! 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. Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! This models weighs in at 10.5oz. Ahoy! Blimey! A D12-3 is just right. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! I found after construction and before addin' t' chutes t' model would roll when t' 36" BT be laid on a table and fins allowed t' hang over t' edge. Begad! Aye aye! Blimey! This roll indicated t' me that t' rocket might have a precession durin' flight. Begad! Aye aye! Blimey! I added weight at t' bottom edge o' t' fins, me bucko, ya bilge rat, like addin' weight t' tire, 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. I painted it t' color o' a Hawaiian T-shirt. Well, blow me down! In other words, me bucko, lots o' loud colors.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I was only able t' get two flights. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' first flight was perfect. Avast! Blimey! With a D12-3, matey, t' rocket is right at t' weight limit o' t' motor. T' rocket roars longer because it doesn't go very high. Ahoy! 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. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' rocket lawn darted into t' ground, crimpin' badly at t' nose and t' motor mount. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Examination showed that t' ejection charge had blown through t' BT at t' tube joint. T' ejection tubes were nay extended into t' BT enough as well as t' hole for ejection tube no bein' made a good fit. Arrr! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! 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 be perfect. Avast! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! No tangles and t' three chutes did nay tangle up with each other. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I used Keelhaul®©™® shock cord and bowlines t' tie t' ends.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

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

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

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5