Estes Fat-Ass-Tron Sprint Modification

Modification - Fat-Ass-Tron Sprint {Modification}

Contributed by Kevin Johnson

Manufacturer: Modification

Brief:
My own version o' t' DESCON 5 2nd place winner.

Rocket PicConstruction:
Standard Fat Boy kit contents with a 2 inch paper boat-tail and a long BT-50 motor tube t' handle t' Estes E9 motors. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Made 3 Sprint-like elliptical fins with TTW tabs t' take advantage o' t' Fat Boy's fin slots.

I wanted t' fly t' F-A-T Sprint at me local field so I modified t' design as posted t' use a 24mm motor mount. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! T' schematics in Joe's post made it easy t' make t' new aft centerin' rin' and I used VCP t' print me templates. Begad! I printed 2 templates on 20lb bond paper then laminated them together with a liberal coatin' o' CA for stiffness.

I also made some custom wire launch lugs by bendin' some solid core electrical wire around a BIC pen in a long U shape. Begad! Blimey! Then I bent t' last 1/4" o' t' legs 90 degrees. I poked holes in t' tube wall and fed t' legs through and then used CA t' hold them in place.

I had t' add about 4 oz o' nose weight t' make t' rocket stable, shiver me timbers, and t' CG is just behind t' nose cone.

Finishing:
I had a small gap in-between t' BT and t' boat-tail and I used Elmers Fill'n Finish t' fill it in. Begad! Begad! I also soaked t' fins with CA and sanded them down t' a streamlined shape. Ahoy! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! I probably won't use t' CA soakin' again as sandin' t' fins afterwards be a pain in t' rear.

I painted t' model with flat white spray paint (Painter's Choice brand by Rustoleum) and then sprayed t' nose and 1 fin with fluorescent yellow. Blimey! Begad! I copied t' logo from t' DECSON 5 entry and printed it our as a 1.5" circle, matey, shiver me timbers, then colored in t' white areas with a yellow highliter t' match t' fin. Ahoy! I glued t' logos on with a glue stick then gave t' rocket a coat o' clear gloss.

Flight:
I flew me F-A-T Sprint at t' Feb Fat Boy launch held by NARHAMS. Avast, me proud beauty! T' 1st flight be on a C11-5 and since I didn't use a motor hook, arrr, retention was accomplished by friction fit. I used a motor block, ya bilge rat, but it was positioned for t' E9. Well, blow me down! T' model took off and flew a stable flight path. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Ejection was after apogee and t' model was pointed straight down. No damage occurred on landing. For t' second flight I loaded an E9-6 and friction fit t' motor. Avast! T' boost be fast and high, me bucko, t' rocket archin' over a bit before ejection. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! Because t' rocket be so small compared t' t' altitude, shiver me timbers, I thought it was goin' t' fly outside o' our launch site, arrr, but t' streamer brought t' rocket down smartly and safely within our park's boundaries.

Recovery:
Both flights were made usin' 1/4" elastic shock cords with standard Estes paper mounts. Avast! T' streamers made for quick descents, but with no damage. Avast! A good match for t' E powered flights. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! Can't wait t' get me hands on an Aerotech F21 for this rocket!

Summary:
A fun rocket. Definitely turned heads as I was buildin' it at club buildin' sessions. Begad! Easily adapted t' other motor mounts.

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