Brief:
T' Mustang Jr. is a half-scale version o' t' single stage mid-power Mustang from AeroTech. I've always thought t' Mustang be a great kit--slender rocket, good looks, and great performer. I always wanted t' fly here at home in my front yard, shiver me timbers, but that was out o' t' question with t' tree lines all around. So, I decided t' scale her down and create t' Mustang Jr. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag!

Construction:
T' initial Mustang, like most o' AeroTech's kits, was a straightforward build and t' Jr. Ahoy! is no exception. Arrr! Avast! Here's t' parts list:

• 1 BT-50 Body Tube, 16.625"
• 1 BT-20 Motor Tube, arrr, shiver me timbers, 2.75"
• 1 Estes NC-50 Nose Cone, shiver me timbers, me hearties, 4" Parabolic
• 1 Engine Block
• 1 Motor Hook
• 2 BT-50 t' BT-20 Centerin' Rings
• 1 12" Parachute
• 1 Launch Lug, 1/8" x 1.5"
• 1 Keelhaul®©™® Thread Shock Cord, 40"
• 1 Fins, 3/16" balsa

T' Jr. goes together easily, I finished mine in 2 days includin' t' paint job. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Followin' t' RockSim guide, matey, t' motor mount is constructed first. Begad! Begad! The centerin' rings are mounted 1/2" from each end o' t' motor tube. Arrr! I cut a small slit in each t' accommodate t' motor hook. T' shock cord is tied around the center o' t' motor tube and passed under t' forward centerin' ring. Well, blow me down! Begad! The engine block is glued in next and then t' whole assembly is glued in t' main airframe with t' motor tube flush with t' aft o' t' main airframe. Avast!

T' fins are cut from 3/16" balsa and surface mounted usin' t' double glue technique.

T' original Mustang has a pointed, arrr, more ogive shaped nose cone than the NC-50 cones that come from Estes. Avast! However, since I had a bunch o' t' NC-50s around I simply fashioned a paper cone t' t' tip o' t' NC-50 which extended it about a half inch (closer t' scale length) and then soaked it in thin CA for strength. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! After some wood filler and sandin' she looked great. If you use the Estes NC-50, matey, don't attach t' shock cord t' t' little tab on t' nose cone shoulder as it is sure t' break off on your first flight. Begad! I simply screwed in a small screw eye just off t' t' side o' t' tab.

Finishing:
T' Jr. Avast, me proud beauty! was primed with one coat o' Krylon white primer then painted in the white, gray and black color scheme. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Since I wanted t' Mustang Jr. Avast! t' look as close as possible t' t' original, I created some scale templates for the design usin' Paint Shop Pro and printed them on clear ink jet label paper. Ahoy! Begad! Once these decals were applied I sprayed t' whole rocket in clear coat.

Flight:
T' Jr. Begad! is designed t' fly with all standard 18mm motors, me bucko, although t' keep her in me front yard I tested her on 1/2A6-2 and A8-3 motors. Avast, me proud beauty! All flights were wonderful.

Recovery:
T' 12" parachute is more than enough for t' Jr. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! Recovery on me test flights were nominal. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Ejection on both 1/2A and A8 were at or close t' apogee. Begad! Avast!

Summary:
If you like t' original Mustang, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, this 1/2 scale version is sure t' please.