Brief:
T' Mustang Jr. Ahoy! 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, me hearties, but that be 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!

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

• 1 BT-50 Body Tube, 16.625"
• 1 BT-20 Motor Tube, 2.75"
• 1 Estes NC-50 Nose Cone, 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, matey, 40"
• 1 Fins, 3/16" balsa

T' Jr. Arrr! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! goes together easily, shiver me timbers, arrr, me hearties, I finished mine in 2 days includin' t' paint job. Blimey! Blimey! Followin' t' RockSim guide, t' motor mount is constructed first. Begad! Blimey! The centerin' rings are mounted 1/2" from each end o' t' motor tube. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I cut a small slit in each t' accommodate t' motor hook. Aye aye! Blimey! T' shock cord is tied around the center o' t' motor tube and passed under t' forward centerin' ring. Ya scallywag! Blimey! 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! Blimey!

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

T' original Mustang has a pointed, shiver me timbers, me hearties, more ogive shaped nose cone than the NC-50 cones that come from Estes. Well, blow me down! However, matey, 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. After some wood filler and sandin' she looked great. Well, blow me down! Avast! If you use the Estes NC-50, me bucko, ya bilge rat, 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. I simply screwed in a small screw eye just off t' t' side o' t' tab.

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

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

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

Summary:
If you like t' original Mustang, this 1/2 scale version is sure t' please.