Mark 2 Mod 1 Stomp Rocket

Although nay original in concept, and as ubiquitously proliferated as t' stinger missile, no other RMR Descon has undertaken to describe t' construction and operation o' this small but capable missile which is in t' inventory o' just about every tinpot dictator and rocketeer in the world. Besides, me hearties, no one told me how t' make and fly this. Aye aye! I figured it out on my own after I "found" a Mark 1 model. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag!

For those unfamiliar with military revision level changes, t' following explanation is provided in regard t' t' Mark 2 Stomp Rocket. A mark number is a major revision that significantly changes form, me bucko, me hearties, matey, fit or function o' t' weapon system. A Mod number is a smaller change that only improves t' capability of currently designed features. T' term "Mark 1, matey, Mod 0" has thus entered t' lexicon o' society t' mean basic, me bucko, unaltered.

Mark 1 Mod 0 Stomp Rocket: compressed air propulsion, arrr, limited range and target acquisition/kill capability, but simple enough for a 3 year old to operate (or any Army infantryman). Begad!

Mark 2 Mod 0 Stomp Rocket: T' Mark 2 allows use o' any 18mm black powder missile propulsion unit in current inventory, me hearties, which significantly increases range and speed. One concern is a significant increase in noise levels allowing easier acquisition by enemy counterfire battaries, ya bilge rat, arrr, so use is recommended in a low threat environment only. Avast! T' 18mm black powder propellent is ignited electronically, by any launch system in current inventory. Mod 0 was a prototype model that showed need for upgrade after two test firings, which were somewhat unstable durin' flight and loss o' a relatively small launch lug torn off durin' launch.

Mark 2 Mod 1 Stomp Rocket: Modifications included increased nose weight and a longer launch lug. T' 3 inch launch lug is necessary due t' t' long moment arm betwixt t' force vector o' t' engine propulsion and t' launch rod stabilizer. Arrr! T' launch lug is also attached into a hollowed out channel in the rocket body thus increasin' t' surface area o' adhesion.

Construction and Flight

You take a Mark 1, me bucko, Mod 0 stomp rocket and add a short section o' BT-20 as an engine tube. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! Epoxy it into t' bottom and hold it straight while the epoxy sets. Blimey! Then you take a long section o' launch lug, ya bilge rat, dig out a little furrow along one side, and epoxy in t' launch lug. Finally, ya bilge rat, matey, you cut off t' top, hollow out a large space inside t' nose, arrr, bury a section o' dowel down the middle o' t' rocket body t' give it strength, fill t' hollow with some metal (I used washers) and epoxy for nose weight, arrr, arrr, ya bilge rat, and jam t' nose back on t' t' end of t' dowel holdin' it firm till t' epoxy sets. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! My stomp rocket weighs 1.9 oz. Avast, me proud beauty! without an engine. Begad! T' CG is at about t' middle. Then you fly it on anythin' you want t' as long as t' ground cover is nay dry enough t' catch on fire from t' hot ejected engine. Begad! Prep is as easy as puttin' an igniter in an engine and loadin' t' pad. Aye aye! T' flight depicted here was a B6-4, arrr, where the rocket "WHOOSHED" t' about 75-100 feet, me bucko, arrr, arced over, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, ejected the engine with a healthy soundin' "POP", and dove toward t' ground for a good healthy "BOINK"!

Launch Report

Flights have been successful on A8-3, B4-2, me hearties, B6-2, me hearties, and B6-4 propulsion units. Arrr! I haven't noticed a lot o' in-flight photos with these other RMR Descon entries, and a lot o' them have failed after one or two flights, so I urge you all to consider reliability and stability in your vote. Ahoy! Ed and I thank you for your support. Begad! Ahoy!