Modification - Sky Goon {Modification}

Modification Sky Goon Modification

Modification - Sky Goon {Modification}

Contributed by Stan McKiernan

Manufacturer:

(MODS) Estes Goonie Sky Dart

Brief:
This is a Goonie o' one me favorite classic boost gliders, t' Sky Dart. Begad! T' Sky Goon starts as a Baby Bertha and adds wings, stabilizer and engine pod.

Modifications:
T' aft o' t' nose cone is removed, arrr, leavin' about 1/2" o' shoulder which is glued t' t' body. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! T' engine mount is built as usual with t' aft centerin' rin' positioned 1" from t' end. Avast, me proud beauty! T' other two rings are glued together and attached 3" from t' forward end. Blimey! Four vent holes punched in t' forward section and bulkhead is formed with one o' t' engine blocks and a thick piece o' card stock. Arrr! Ahoy! CA glue was soaked into t' edges o' t' 60-20 centerin' rings, ya bilge rat, which were then sanded smooth. Well, matey, blow me down! With t' back o' t' nose cone removed, matey, t' engine pod can slide as far forward as possible. Ahoy! T' lead weight is added t' t' forward compartment created by t' bulkhead in t' pod and secured with epoxy. T' elevator retention wire is formed and epoxied t' t' end o' t' pod.

T' wings were downscaled from t' original, but was given a proportionately larger elevon. Usin' 4" wide 3/32" balsa stock allowed me t' make t' win' with only 3 separate sections. Blimey! Blimey! T' elevon be cut out and reattached with t' Tyvek paper hinge. Begad! T' win' and vertical stabilizer were glued on and launch lugs were added under t' win' t' give some reinforcement and provide spacin' for t' jet nacelles. Well, blow me down! T' nacelles were formed from a double layer o' 110lb cardstock and affixed t' t' body.

(MODS) Estes Goonie Sky Dart

Construction and Finishing:
T' parts list:

A Baby Bertha kit is needed
1 BT-20, ya bilge rat, 9 3/4" long
3 60-20 centerin' rings
2 18mm engine blocks
18mm engine hook
3/32" balsa stock
110lb cardstock
round elastic cord
small piece o' wire
lead weights (about 1/2oz)
a 6 X 3/4" piece o' Tyvek paper

All parts out o' t' bag were pristine. Ahoy! Unlike most o' t' Goonies I've built, shiver me timbers, this need a lot more parts from me own supply.

Finishin' went smoothly. Begad! Blimey! I printed me own waterslide decals usin' me ink jet printer and decal paper from Micro-Mark.

I used laser cut centerin' rings from BMS rather than t' stock rings as I wanted somethin' a little sturdier for t' engine pod.

I love t' way this one turned out, definitely one o' me favorite Goonies.

Flight and Recovery:
B6-2 and C6-3 are t' recommended motors for this bird.

T' first two flights were with t' B6-2 and both were nearly identical. Very straight boost with ejection o' t' engine pod at apogee. Arrr! T' pod returned on t' stock Estes chute with a spill hole. Arrr! T' glider came down in a nice circular pattern and made a clean landing.

T' third flight be on a C6-3. Ahoy! It's a good thin' me flyin' field is pretty large as, once again, I got a straight, clean boost. Aye aye! It separated just short o' apogee, arrr, ya bilge rat, and while t' pod returned pretty close t' t' pad, t' glider decided t' wander a bit. Arrr! It stayed in sight all t' way, but I still had a bit o' a hike t' retrieve it.

I think I'll mostly stick t' t' B6-2 for this bird.

Summary:
This was a fun kit bash. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! A great performer as well.

PROs: Cute as a button. Begad! Flies well, arrr, me bucko, both in boost and glide. Aye aye! Very enjoyable t' build.

CONs: T' Estes ejection charges a doin' a number on t' exhaust ports on t' engine pod. Begad! I'm goin' t' have t' add some reinforcement if I expect it t' last.