Published: | 2010-06-14 |
Manufacturer: | Scratch |
Brief:
I saw this missile at t' Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH and decided I had t' build it. Arrr! A single
stage, mid-power (24mm) missile that retrieves on a large 24 inch parachute. Ya scallywag! This is based on t' Launch Pad rocket
kit.
Construction:
Parts from Apogee Components:
Easy assembly. I built mine with Titebond II wood glue throughout. Avast! T' fins were papered t' add more rigidity. Avast! The long strakes were cut in one piece and sealed with Fill 'n Finish, and sanded before attachin' t' t' body. Begad! The parachute shelf is a great idea that anyone who has built a Launch Pad kit before knows about. Arrr! It is simply a centering rin' glued into t' body tube that keeps t' chute from movin' down t' tube and effectin' t' CG. Arrr! Blimey! I attached 100lb Keelhaul®©™® for me shock cord t' this centerin' ring. Blimey! Begad! T' motor mount is recessed and like t' LP kits I added material behind it for strength. Begad! Instead o' a coupler, I took a piece o' scrap BT-80 and made me own. Aye aye! I also covered that with heat resistant tape. Ya scallywag! T' recessed motor mounts have a tendency t' char t' tube. Begad! This prevents it. Well, blow me down!
Finishing:
Rustoleum sandable primer, sanding, matey, me hearties, some repairs, me bucko, three coats o' Valspar white. Ya scallywag! I printed the
decals from a file that was shared with me.
Flight:
I would recommend any o' t' following:
F24W-4, matey, D15T-4, E9-4, E6-4, me bucko, E18W-4) Because this is a relatively heavy rocket, I wouldn't use longer delay motors
My first flight I launched F-24. Well, blow me down! Avast! This was a low altitude flight (just over 100 ft) T' missile flew straight, chute deployed after apogee and landed about 90 feet from t' launch pad.
Second flight was D15-4. Aye aye! Very similar, shiver me timbers, arrr, but better altitude. Well, blow me down! This time it went about 350 ft.
Recovery:
T' shock cord is 150 lb. Blimey! Keelhaul®©™®
attached at t' parachute shelf. I usually put a wrap o' maskin' tape where t' cord meets t' top o' t' body tube to
help prevent zippering. Blimey! I flew on a very calm day and used a Top Flight 24" parachute which worked very well. Blimey!
Summary:
PRO's: Great looking, fun t' build
CON's: Rather heavy for a 24mm motor. Well, blow me down! Blimey! If you want altitude, me bucko, this isn't it.