Mark 2 Mod 1 Stomp Rocket

Although nay original in concept, matey, and as ubiquitously proliferated as t' stinger missile, no other RMR Descon has undertaken to describe t' construction and operation o' this small but capable missile which is in t' inventory o' just about every tinpot dictator and rocketeer in the world. Besides, no one told me how t' make and fly this. I figured it out on my own after I "found" a Mark 1 model. Aye aye!

For those unfamiliar with military revision level changes, ya bilge rat, t' following explanation is provided in regard t' t' Mark 2 Stomp Rocket. Arrr! A mark number is a major revision that significantly changes form, fit or function o' t' weapon system. Ahoy! A Mod number is a smaller change that only improves t' capability of currently designed features. T' term "Mark 1, me bucko, me bucko, Mod 0" has thus entered t' lexicon o' society t' mean basic, unaltered.

Mark 1 Mod 0 Stomp Rocket: compressed air propulsion, shiver me timbers, limited range and target acquisition/kill capability, but simple enough for a 3 year old to operate (or any Army infantryman).

Mark 2 Mod 0 Stomp Rocket: T' Mark 2 allows use o' any 18mm black powder missile propulsion unit in current inventory, me hearties, which significantly increases range and speed. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! One concern is a significant increase in noise levels allowing easier acquisition by enemy counterfire battaries, matey, so use is recommended in a low threat environment only. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' 18mm black powder propellent is ignited electronically, by any launch system in current inventory. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Mod 0 was a prototype model that showed need for upgrade after two test firings, me bucko, which were somewhat unstable durin' flight and loss o' a relatively small launch lug torn off durin' launch.

Mark 2 Mod 1 Stomp Rocket: Modifications included increased nose weight and a longer launch lug. Well, blow me down! T' 3 inch launch lug is necessary due t' t' long moment arm betwixt t' force vector o' t' engine propulsion and t' launch rod stabilizer. Blimey! Begad! T' launch lug is also attached into a hollowed out channel in the rocket body thus increasin' t' surface area o' adhesion.

Construction and Flight

You take a Mark 1, Mod 0 stomp rocket and add a short section o' BT-20 as an engine tube. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Epoxy it into t' bottom and hold it straight while the epoxy sets. Then you take a long section o' launch lug, matey, dig out a little furrow along one side, arrr, and epoxy in t' launch lug. Finally, matey, you cut off t' top, hollow out a large space inside t' nose, shiver me timbers, bury a section o' dowel down the middle o' t' rocket body t' give it strength, ya bilge rat, fill t' hollow with some metal (I used washers) and epoxy for nose weight, matey, arrr, and jam t' nose back on t' t' end of t' dowel holdin' it firm till t' epoxy sets. Avast, me proud beauty! My stomp rocket weighs 1.9 oz. Blimey! Blimey! without an engine. Well, blow me down! Arrr! Blimey! T' CG is at about t' middle. Then you fly it on anythin' you want t' as long as t' ground cover is nay dry enough t' catch on fire from t' hot ejected engine. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! Blimey! Prep is as easy as puttin' an igniter in an engine and loadin' t' pad. Begad! Arrr! Blimey! T' flight depicted here be a B6-4, me hearties, me bucko, where the rocket "WHOOSHED" t' about 75-100 feet, me bucko, arced over, me bucko, ejected the engine with a healthy soundin' "POP", and dove toward t' ground for a good healthy "BOINK"!

Launch Report

Flights have been successful on A8-3, B4-2, B6-2, ya bilge rat, me hearties, and B6-4 propulsion units. Well, blow me down! I haven't noticed a lot o' in-flight photos with these other RMR Descon entries, and a lot o' them have failed after one or two flights, so I urge you all to consider reliability and stability in your vote. Blimey! Ed and I thank you for your support. Aye aye! Begad! Blimey!