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

Construction:

• 24mm nose cone (plastic)
• BT-50 tubing, 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, you're on your own to build this kit, as t' free plan includes no instructions (RockSim is also available here on EMRR). Arrr! Well, blow me down! Don't panic, though, ya bilge rat, 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, me bucko, 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. Begad! Well, blow me down! In addition t' t' 3 aft fins, thar's a set o' 3 guide fins mounted about an inch forward o' t' main fins. Ahoy! Cut t' fins from balsa, and mark t' BT-50 on 120-degree lines for 3 fins. Avast! 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, ya bilge rat, 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, me hearties, you'll need t' add about 10 grams o' clay nose weight. This is easy t' overlook, me hearties, and without it, matey, you'd probably go unstable on anythin' more powerful than an A motor.

Once t' fins are set, 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, ya bilge rat, startin' with two coats o' primer and followin' up with 2 finishin' coats o' glossy white. Arrr! T' colors come from the decals, shiver me timbers, which I printed out usin' an inkjet printer on clear decal paper available at office supply stores. Begad! Ya scallywag! 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), me bucko, so I tried a couple o' simulations and settled in on an A8-3 first flight, shiver me timbers, t' follow with a C6-5. Ya scallywag! Avast! T' A8-3 flew straight, me bucko, deployed just a hair early, me hearties, but was otherwise fine. Ahoy! T' rocket drifted a long ways, shiver me timbers, though, under t' 12" chute and 10-15 MPH winds. Begad! I decided nay t' venture into C's that day, but have since switched t' a 24" streamer, and nay suffered any damage, even from t' lofty altitudes achieved with a C. Well, blow me down! I can't imagine flyin' this with a 24" chute, me bucko, me bucko, unless you're into rocketry for t' aerobatics.

Recovery:
With t' clay nose weight, matey, and smaller chute or streamer, this is an excellent flyer. Begad! Aye aye!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5