Art Applewhite Rockets Flying Saucer 24mm (7.25")

Art Applewhite Rockets - Flying Saucer 24mm (7.25") {Kit}

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: Art Applewhite Rockets

Rocket PicBrief:
This be t' 7.25" version o' Art's saucer line. Arrr! Like t' larger 9" version, this saucer flies on C11-0 and D12-0 motors. Ya scallywag! Avast! T' saucer's card stock shell is pre-printed in an USAF motif. Art now offers several designs, matey, various colors, and blank versions o' his 6", ya bilge rat, me bucko, 7.25", ya bilge rat, and 9" saucers.

Construction:
T' components are t' same as t' 9" version (but smaller, matey, me bucko, o' course):

  • Preprinted card stock comprises t' top and core assembly o' t' saucer.
  • One 7.25" plastic picnic plate comprises t' bottom.
  • One 2.75" BT-50 motor tube
  • One 2.75" motor hook
  • One 3/16" launch lug
  • 3/32" basswood fin stock

Tools and materials required:

  • Scissors
  • Exacto knife
  • Elmers' white glue
  • Rubber cement
  • Clear enamel (RUS-TOLEUM Crystal Clear or equivalent)
  • Double-sided tape
  • 150 grit sandpaper

Construction is identical t' t' 9" version. Well, blow me down! You first cut out t' top and core pieces and glue them together usin' t' printed tabs, similar t' any paper shroud. Begad! Begad! An inner rin' is attached t' t' core, me hearties, and t' core is glued into t' top section. Begad! These steps use white glue, me bucko, and, shiver me timbers, o' course, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, t' glue must dry betwixt each step. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! Usin' a provided template, me hearties, a hole t' size o' t' paper core is cut in t' plate. Aye aye! T' template is supposed t' be attached temporarily with double-sided tape, ya bilge rat, but I just used clear tape. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' plate is t' be glued t' t' saucer assembly with rubber cement. Aye aye! When I built me 9" saucer, arrr, I substituted some old Liquid Nails. Well, matey, blow me down! It had thickened some and I thought t' recommended rubber cement would work better. Ahoy! Well, I had bought some fresh Liquid Nails and decided t' try it again. Ya scallywag! This time it worked fine.

Rocket BottomTo assemble t' fin can, you mark, cut and sand t' fins. These are attached t' t' motor tube like any other fins. You optionally can add card stock spin tabs. On this saucer, shiver me timbers, I elected t' leave them off (I used them on me 9" version). Blimey! Arrr! Finally, t' launch lug is added and t' fin unit is complete. If you are goin' t' use t' spin tabs, me hearties, make sure you glue t' launch lug on t' side o' a fin that is away from t' direction o' t' tabs. As with me previous saucer, matey, ya bilge rat, I left off t' motor hook t' allow longer motors, staging, me hearties, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, etc.

T' last step is t' sand t' tip o' t' fins so that t' fin assembly slides into t' core section o' t' saucer.

Finishing:
Finishin' consists o' sprayin' t' printed top and core o' t' saucer with clear enamel. Well, blow me down! You have t' make sure nay t' get this on t' plastic plate as t' paint might damage it. I guess you could paint t' fin can, ya bilge rat, but I elected t' leave it naked.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I flew t' saucer on a D12-0. Begad! Its boost be noticeably faster than its 9-inch cousin (no real surprise) and it really put those silly plastic RTF saucers t' shame :-). Begad! Ahoy! As with t' bigger saucer, t' fin unit and saucer sections did nay separate. Arrr! Unlike t' bigger saucer, shiver me timbers, however, it came down nose first.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This saucer is easy and fun t' build. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! It looks better, IMHO, than t' RTF ones, matey, and thar are several colors/patterns t' choose from. If you like saucers, I suggest you get one o' these and go drag race a Snitch :-).

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Art Applewhite Rockets Flying Saucer 24mm (7.25") By Mike Salter

    (by Mike Salter) Brief: This is another of Art's flying saucer collection, this one is 7.25" in diameter and will fly to heights between 150 to 300 feet. Construction: All of the components were of high quality, the tube was neatly cut and the fin material was basswood for extra strength. The top and core sections are made of card stock and the bottom is a plastic party ...

Flights

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