Scratch Upscale Semi-Sonic Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Upscale Semi-Sonic {Scratch}

Contributed by Marlin Meyer

Published: 2010-07-22
Manufacturer: Scratch
Style: Upscale
(Contributed - by Marlin Meyer - 07/22/10) Scratch Semi Sonic Upscale

Brief:
Single stage, me bucko, me hearties, low power, shiver me timbers, me bucko, parachute recovery rocket. Avast! I saw t' review posted on EMRR o' this rocket, used t' provided Rocksim file (thank you) and upscaled t' BT-55

Construction:
Parts are all Semroc:

  • BNC-55PT nose cone
  • SE-2 screw eye
  • BT-55 body tube
  • 15" parachute (Topflight)
  • BT-20 engine tube
  • (2) RA-2055 centerin' rings
  • EB-20A engine block
  • EH-28 engine hook
  • (2) LL-110 launch lug

With t' exception o' t' parachute which I already had, me bucko, I purchased all t' parts from Semroc. In readin' the difficulty o' gettin' t' two-tone paint job with t' fins so close together, I experimented and decided t' put a little more space betwixt them. Ya scallywag! I was able t' run a clean wrap o' tape t' apply t' second color and I liked t' way it looks. Begad! Ahoy! It did change t' CG, me hearties, but didn't present a problem. Arrr! All fins were papered usin' white glue and then surface mounted usin' TiteBond II. Well, matey, blow me down! As with any multiple fin rocket, matey, care be taken t' get them aligned. Aye aye! I put t' lower fins on first, then used two strips o' plywood t' align t' upper fins. Aye aye! T' 18mm motor mount is a little underpowered, but I wanted t' design this one for smaller fields. If you want altitude, shiver me timbers, you might want to try this with a 24mm motor mount.

Finishing:
I used rattle cans t' get t' flat white/fluorescent orange paint job. After t' usual primin' and sanding, matey, me hearties, I sprayed t' entire rocket flat white, shiver me timbers, waited a couple o' days and then masked off t' areas to remain white and hit it with one coat o' orange. Aye aye! T' Frog Tape yielded some very clean lines. T' paint job was pretty simple and t' rocket remains without any decals. Ya scallywag! It looks ok and should be easy t' track and locate.

Flight:
I only had two flights. Begad! Both were on t' same day with light winds. I used "dog barf" for waddin' and made certain I had enough t' prevent t' chute from slippin' down and destroyin' t' CG

Here are t' results:

B6-4 approx. Blimey! Begad! 450 ft. Begad! timin' on t' chute was just about perfect. (just after apogee)

C6-6 approx. Aye aye! 800 ft. chute be a little late

Both flights were pretty straight up. Begad! Blimey! Even with t' late chute on t' C6, me bucko, I had no zipperin' or damage. Begad! Blimey!

Recovery:
T' shock cord is 150 lb Keelhaul®©™® attached at t' motor mount and about 3 times longer than t' rocket. Ya scallywag!

Summary:
I thank t' previous reviewer o' this rocket for t' Rocksim file and t' paint scheme. Well, blow me down!

PROS: It is a great flier for smaller fields. Avast! Simple build. Arrr! Hi-Vis paint job

CONS: A bit under-powered. At this size it needs a 24mm motor mount if you want altitude.

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