Brief:
This is a single stage rocket with unusual deployment. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! 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. Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' nose cone does nay come off.(click picture t' enlarge)

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

I used paper centerin' rings reinforced with epoxy. Begad! Blimey! Paper centerin' rings are easy t' find. Arrr! Avast! Blimey! One can order t' 'balsa ply' sheets directly from Mach 1 or Balsa Machinin' Services. Aye aye! One can use RockSim, describe t' fins and have them made by BMS along with t' centerin' rings. Aye aye! Blimey! 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. Begad! Ya scallywag! 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, me bucko, or you have t' fill in t' 'gap'. Aye aye! I numbered each slot and numbered each fin and fitted each one individually. Avast! Avast! One must make sure t' hole be t' correct size. Aye aye! Do nay make t' hole for t' ejection tube too large. Begad! 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! Ahoy! This models weighs in at 10.5oz. Aye aye! A D12-3 is just right. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! 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. Ahoy! Avast! This roll indicated t' me that t' rocket might have a precession durin' flight. Blimey! Begad! I added weight at t' bottom edge o' t' fins, ya bilge rat, matey, like addin' weight t' tire, matey, t' balance it. Ahoy! This is level 3+ kit due t' t' cuttin' o' slots and holes in t' body tubes.

Finishing:
This model finishes normally. Avast, me proud beauty! I painted it t' color o' a Hawaiian T-shirt. Aye aye! Begad! In other words, lots o' loud colors.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
An unusual rocket. Begad! Blimey! Definitely well designed, if built properly. Begad! Blimey! Neat when it works. Bad when it doesn't.

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

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5