Estes Silver Comet to V2 Modification

Modification - Silver Comet to V2 {Modification}

Contributed by Darrell Edge

Manufacturer: Modification
Style: Scale

Brief:
Convertin' t' existin' Silver Comet t' t' once available V2.

Modifications:
I wanted t' recreate t' V2 in an inexpensive way usin' readily available parts. Begad! My first purchase was t' Estes Silver Comet rocket kit. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! This be t' same platform that t' old V2 from Estes was built on. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! T' next step was t' get t' fin pattern from Jimz plans online. I downloaded t' fin pattern and took it and t' Silver Comet fin t' t' copy machine. Ahoy! I used t' Silver Comet fin as a guide t' get t' old V2 plan t' match. Ya scallywag! Arrr! T' V2 fin pattern was blown up t' finally match t' tabs on t' Silver Comet fins. Avast, me proud beauty! At this point I had t' fins t' correct size.

T' next obstacle be t' nose cone. T' Silver Comet nose conehas a great little relief where t' windshield would go. All o' me V2 research has nay found one with a windshield so that had t' be scrapped. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Estes makes t' nose cone BCN80 ( Phoenix rocket nose cone). I picked one up and it worked out great.

I had intentions o' flyin' this rocket on t' D series engines from Estes as recommended. Aye aye! However, I knew I would eventually want t' push t' envelope. I assembled t' entire rocket with 30 minute epoxy. Buildin' strong filets as I went along. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! T' entire rocket be then painted with sandable primer. Ahoy! And sanded, and primed, ya bilge rat, matey, and sanded, and primed, and etc. A top coat o' gloss white followed by a black and gold pattern. Arrr! It makes a strikin' appearance.

Flight:
T' first flight was on a D12-3 because o' t' size o' t' rocket. Aye aye! T' first 4 flights were perfect. Well, blow me down! Great slow flight with ejection right after appogee. Then it be t' test. I loaded an Aerotech E30-7 for t' first time. I be nervous from all t' work that was put into this thing. Begad! It took off t' pad with a bang. Begad! A perfect flight t' around 1400 feet. All o' t' flights so far have been straight and picture perfect. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! T' rocket is showin' some wear inside t' tube but thats t' be expected. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I used a LOC/Precision style shock cord mount by buryin' t' cord in a mound o' epoxy on t' inside o' t' body tube and it has held fine so far.

Summary:
My next modification will be t' lose t' cheesy Estes chute and go t' a nylon chute. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! It will fly a few more times and then be shelved for a later date.

Flights

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