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, shiver me timbers, designed as dual deployment, and is a great sport flier. Aye aye! There are many custom options available.

Construction:
T' kit I received was complete, nicely packaged and in great shape. Aye aye! Blimey! There is one 4 inch main body tube made o' flexible phenolic tubin' with t' fins slots cut out. Aye aye! Blimey! T' upper section and 54mm motor tube is also flexible phenolic and the altimeter bay is a LOC unit. Ahoy! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! T' centerin' rings are a full phenolic type and are very nice, arrr, but they do have t' be roughed up for epoxy t' get a good bite. Aye aye! Blimey! T' nose cone is a blow molded plastic type. 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). T' shock cords are tubular nylon and follow Scott's rule o' use as much as will fit. The parachute is a custom made cup style chute that has only four shroud lines and is very, very well constructed. Aye aye! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! This is a very well thought out kit.

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

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

Finishing:
There are no decals included with this rocket. Arrr! It is nay painted yet, but I do intended at some point t' get around t' paintin' it. Well, blow me down! 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. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' initial flight was on a Hypertek J317 with me GWIZ doin' t' deployment duty. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! T' wind be light, matey, only about eight miles an hour. Well, blow me down! T' fill and launch went perfect with a straight boost and flawless deployment. Avast, me proud beauty! My GWIZ reported 3789ft. Next flight is goin' to be on t' Pro54 K660.

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

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a well designed rocket and a very nice kit. Well, blow me down! 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! 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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