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