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, arrr, makin' me own modifications. I like t' look o' t' rocket so I didn’t modify that at all – I focused on addin' more power. “Tim t' Tool Man Taylor would be proud” – if you don’t understand this comment go watch some reruns for Tool Time. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! This rocket is a Semi-Scale version o' t' US Army Patriot Air Defense Missile. Begad! T' rocket is designed t' use an 18mm engine and 12” parachute recovery. 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. Blimey! First I made t' engine mount a 2 engine (18mm) cluster with no engine hooks. Aye aye! T' centerin' rings few made from balsa hardened with epoxy. Avast, me proud beauty! I also changed t' shock cord attachment, 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). Blimey! I also, added about .8 ounces o' nose weight t' ensure t' rocket be stable. Ahoy! T' rest o' t' assembly was 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. Blimey! 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. Arrr! Ya scallywag! I found sandin' these as components is a lot easier. Avast! 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. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! T' maiden flight be done on 2 C6-5’s and did this rocket fly. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Thankfully, matey, I flew t' single engine version first and was surprised by t' altitude o' t' C6-5 so I changed from t' 18” parachute t' t' 12” parachute. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! On 2 C6-5’s this rocket screamed t' very high altitude – it took roughly 2.5 minutes until t' rocket landed. I be goin' t' fly 2 B6’4’s but after t' first flight they would only be a disappointment. Begad! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! I will fly this rocket again on a bigger field once I paint it.

Recovery:

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

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

Flights

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