Modification U.S. Army Patriot M-104 Cluster Modification

Modification - U.S. Army Patriot M-104 Cluster

Contributed by Ray King

Published: 2010-08-01
Manufacturer: Modification
Style: Cluster, Scale

Brief:
This is part 2 o' t' EMRR Challenge #7 as outlined I built this rocket as I wanted, makin' me own modifications. Ya scallywag! I like t' look o' t' rocket so I didn’t modify that at all – I focused on addin' more power. Begad! Aye aye! Blimey! “Tim t' Tool Man Taylor would be proud” – if you don’t understand this comment go watch some reruns for Tool Time. Aye aye! Begad! Blimey! This rocket is a Semi-Scale version o' t' US Army Patriot Air Defense Missile. Begad! Blimey! T' rocket is designed t' use an 18mm engine and 12” parachute recovery. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Blimey! I modified it so it now uses 2 -18mm engines and a 12-18” parachute.

Modifications:
I followed t' instructions with a few exceptions. Aye aye! First I made t' engine mount a 2 engine (18mm) cluster with no engine hooks. T' centerin' rings few made from balsa hardened with epoxy. Begad! Begad! I also changed t' shock cord attachment, me bucko, me hearties, shiver me timbers, rather than usin' t' standard Estes I ran Keelhaul®©™ t' t' engine mount (drilled a small hole in t' top centerin' rin' and tied t' cord around t' engine tube assembly). I also, added about .8 ounces o' nose weight t' ensure t' rocket be stable. Aye aye! T' rest o' t' assembly be per t' instructions.

Construction:

  • 2 – BT-60 White Body Tube (6.625” Long)
  • 1 - Yellow Body Tube (3.25” Long)
  • 2 – Blue 18mm Engine Tube
  • 1 - Nose Cone (#72057)
  • 2 - Body Tube Couplers
  • 1 - Launch Lug – 2.375” Long
  • 1 - Std Engine Hook
  • 1 - Green Engine Block
  • 2 - 2 Engine Cluster Centerin' Rings (Made from .060” Hard Balsa)
  • Balsa Fins (3/32” Pre-cut Sheet)
  • 36” o' Keelhaul®©™ Shock Cord
  • 18” – 1/8” Shock Cord
  • 12” Plastic Parachute
  • Decal Sheet

In this case I didn’t finish this because I ran out o' time t' get me review complete so I chose t' fly this naked. Ya scallywag! Begad! I did apply a couple o' coats o' Emery’s Wood Putty thinned with water t' t' tube and fins prior t' assembly t' t' rocket. Well, blow me down! I found sandin' these as components is a lot easier. My plan is t' paint both rockets as t' instructions outline – I will add some pictures o' t' painted versions t' t' flight log pictures.

Flight:

I flew this rocket only once because t' filed was a little small for t' altitude predicted. Ahoy! T' maiden flight was done on 2 C6-5’s and did this rocket fly. Well, blow me down! Thankfully, ya bilge rat, I flew t' single engine version first and be surprised by t' altitude o' t' C6-5 so I changed from t' 18” parachute t' t' 12” parachute. Blimey! On 2 C6-5’s this rocket screamed t' very high altitude – it took roughly 2.5 minutes until t' rocket landed. Aye aye! I was goin' t' fly 2 B6’4’s but after t' first flight they would only be a disappointment. I will fly this rocket again on a bigger field once I paint it.

Recovery:

T' recovery be prefect; it just took awhile for t' rocket t' land. Ya scallywag! Thankfully t' wind was very light and t' rocket landed in t' field. Avast! {short description of image}

Summary:
If 1 engine = a Great Rocket; than 2 engine results in an even better rocket. Aye aye! For anyone who likes high flyin' I would definitely recommend this modification and t' 12” parachute is fine.

Flights

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