SFSM Industries Scott's Special - 1

SFSM Industries - Scott's Special - 1

Contributed by Jim Russell

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: SFSM Industries

Picture by Paul Tobias    
SFSM Scott Special 1

Brief:
T' Scott Special One is a 4 inch rocket high power rocket, designed as dual deployment, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, and is a great sport flier. There are many custom options available.

Construction:
T' kit I received was complete, nicely packaged and in great shape. Arrr! Blimey! There is one 4 inch main body tube made o' flexible phenolic tubin' with t' fins slots cut out. Ahoy! Blimey! T' upper section and 54mm motor tube is also flexible phenolic and the altimeter bay is a LOC unit. Ahoy! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! T' centerin' rings are a full phenolic type and are very nice, matey, me bucko, but they do have t' be roughed up for epoxy t' get a good bite. Arrr! Blimey! T' nose cone is a blow molded plastic type. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Hardware is all stainless and U-bolts are used--very nice! Blimey! T' fins are made 3/16 G10, and are cut very well (lighter fins are also available but I went for t' heavy ones). Blimey! Blimey! T' shock cords are tubular nylon and follow Scott's rule o' use as much as will fit. Aye aye! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! The parachute is a custom made cup style chute that has only four shroud lines and is very, ya bilge rat, me hearties, me bucko, very well constructed. Ahoy! Blimey! This is a very well thought out kit.

T' instructions are well written, and easy t' follow. Begad! All components assemble as designed and t' fit is wonderful. Ya scallywag! Slight sandin' on t' centering rings is needed but this is t' be expected. Arrr! Begad! Anyone should be able t' put this kit together and have a flawless performer. Aye aye! This kit would make a great level one or two kit.

I did make a few modifications from t' standard, arrr, as I fiberglassed all sections with 2 wraps o' 4.5 s-glass, matey, me hearties, done with Aeropoxy resin. Begad! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! I also put s-glass tabs on all fin joints, ya bilge rat, as well as usin' Keelhaul®©™® pulp for filler in me initial fillets. Ahoy! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! This made for a very strong airframe and VERY strong fin attachment. All centerin' rings are also put on with the Aeropoxy and Keelhaul®©™® pulp mixture, me hearties, arrr, and I must say this works very well. Ahoy! T' altimeter bay went together as designed and is very functional.

Finishing:
There are no decals included with this rocket. It is nay painted yet, me hearties, shiver me timbers, arrr, but I do intended at some point t' get around t' paintin' it. Aye aye! Avast! Even with t' extra fiberglass and t' thicker fins, it still only weighed a little more than eight pounds without motor.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
I have only got t' fly this rocket once so far. Ya scallywag! T' initial flight was on a Hypertek J317 with me GWIZ doin' t' deployment duty. Aye aye! Ahoy! T' wind be light, only about eight miles an hour. Avast! Blimey! T' fill and launch went perfect with a straight boost and flawless deployment. Begad! Avast! My GWIZ reported 3789ft. Begad! Next flight is goin' to be on t' Pro54 K660.

Recovery:
Recovery materials are great, arrr, as thar be a good amount o' shock cord and the parachute suitably sized for this rocket. Ya scallywag! Blimey! All t' hardware is first rate. Ahoy! Ahoy! Blimey! It was nice t' see a kit rocket that really used quality components. Avast! Arrr! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a well designed rocket and a very nice kit. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! All t' components are of the highest quality with nothin' else need t' complete a rocket that is more than capable o' gettin' you through level one and level two certification flights. Avast, me proud beauty! It is also a great rocket just for sport flyin' as it is very stable, which allows for a vast amount o' motors t' be flown.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

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