Brief:
When t' inevitable asteroid is trackin' on a collision course with our planet, this (hopefully) futuristic/fantasy missile is just t' ticket. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! It's designed to intercept and destroy t' incomin' rock. Aye aye! Single staged, me bucko, this is a small step up in complexity from your basic modroc, shiver me timbers, and a nice diversion from t' more common, everyday designs stocked in t' hobby shops.

Construction:

• 24mm nose cone (plastic)
• BT-50 tubing, arrr, 11" long
• 18mm motor mount (BT-20 tube 2.75" + (2) 18/24 centerin' rings)
• 1/8" launch lug
• shock cord (30" o' 110# Keelhaul®©™® recommended)
• 3/32 balsa or basswood fin stock (I used balsa)
• 24" parachute (see notes-streamer might be better idea)
• Decal sheet-download as jpeg file from e-zine archives

After downloadin' t' Rocksim file and decal file, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, you're on your own to build this kit, matey, as t' free plan includes no instructions (RockSim is also available here on EMRR). Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Don't panic, me hearties, though, shiver me timbers, as t' design is nay too difficult (I'd rate it a skill level 2.5). Start by gluin' t' centerin' rings on t' ends o' the motor tube, and while that's dryin' either print out fin templates from the full version o' Rocksim or record t' dimensions from t' free version and draw your own templates. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! In addition t' t' 3 aft fins, thar's a set o' 3 guide fins mounted about an inch forward o' t' main fins. Avast! Cut t' fins from balsa, and mark t' BT-50 on 120-degree lines for 3 fins. Begad! Aye aye! By this time you should be able t' glue t' motor mount assembly into t' BT-50. Follow up by tackin' the fins with CA or wood glue, me bucko, and apply fillets along t' seams.

There's one "secret" in t' Rocksim file that's nay mentioned in the E-zine article or parts list--for stability, ya bilge rat, you'll need t' add about 10 grams o' clay nose weight. This is easy t' overlook, shiver me timbers, and without it, you'd probably go unstable on anythin' more powerful than an A motor.

Once t' fins are set, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, go ahead and install t' recovery system (I immediately downgraded from t' recommended 24" chute t' a 12" chute).

Finishing:
T' rocket is very easy t' paint, matey, matey, startin' with two coats o' primer and followin' up with 2 finishin' coats o' glossy white. Begad! Blimey! T' colors come from the decals, which I printed out usin' an inkjet printer on clear decal paper available at office supply stores. Aye aye! Blimey! T' colorful decals make for a very nice lookin' finished product.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
There were no recommendations included in t' Rocksim file (other than out-of-production Apogee composite motors), so I tried a couple o' simulations and settled in on an A8-3 first flight, me bucko, t' follow with a C6-5. Aye aye! Aye aye! T' A8-3 flew straight, deployed just a hair early, but was otherwise fine. Begad! T' rocket drifted a long ways, though, under t' 12" chute and 10-15 MPH winds. Ahoy! Begad! I decided nay t' venture into C's that day, me bucko, but have since switched t' a 24" streamer, and nay suffered any damage, arrr, even from t' lofty altitudes achieved with a C. Begad! I can't imagine flyin' this with a 24" chute, me bucko, me hearties, me bucko, unless you're into rocketry for t' aerobatics.

Recovery:
With t' clay nose weight, shiver me timbers, and smaller chute or streamer, this is an excellent flyer. Avast! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5