M.M.X. (MicroMech-X)

All Micro-Maxx, arrr, x2 cluster, sci-fi but nay comedy, no parts from a Grissom

Design Concept

I wanted t' pick a theme that I thought would be somewhat unique. Arrr! I didn't think I could come up with a suitable comedy sci-fi ship that hadn't already been mentioned on r.m.r., me bucko, matey, so I looked elsewhere for inspiration. Avast! I roughly patterned this rocket after a robot model that I resurrected from t' depths o' our basement (a.k.a. Begad! T' Rocket Dungeon). Avast! I had scoured t' web, and had even thought o' doin' a conversion o' a paper model robot, shiver me timbers, but decided t' just start buildin' and see where it went. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! This model started as a prototype, but as it progressed I decided t' keep it as my entry.

Development Methodology

I used a tried and true procedure known as "real-time design". Well, blow me down! Begad! In this design methodology, arrr, t' design is performed as you go, matey, arrr, matey, without t' benefit o' plans, me bucko, diagrams, arrr, or specifications. Documentation is performed at t' end, and is kept t' a minimum.

Construction

I started by cuttin' two MMX tubes that would extend from t' bottom o' t' robot's foot up into its body cavity. I then started at t' bottom and built me way up. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' plastic robot's foot was traced onto foam poster board. Avast! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! I cut t' feet, beveled their edges, matey, and cut holes for the MMX tubes. Arrr! Blimey! Next came t' upper layer o' t' feet, followed by t' front and rear leg sections. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! At this point, I began t' think about weight, so t' sides of t' legs were made from card stock. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' body was started with a foam board plate, matey, with holes cut for t' motor tubes. Ya scallywag! Blimey! As with t' leg sections, t' three front and one aft section o' t' body are foam board and t' sides are cardstock. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' provide better support for t' shoulders/head (i.e. Arrr! Blimey! t' nose cone), I added a small section o' BT-20 in t' body cavity. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! A long Estes lug was inserted laterally through t' BT-20 t' provide an attachment point for the arms. Begad! Blimey! T' shoulder/head assembly started with a foam board plate. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Attached to this is a sliver o' BT-20 coupler and two pieces o' foam board, which were trimmed t' mate with t' body opening. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' head itself was carved/sanded from pink foam. T' arms consist o' two layers o' foam board.

Now that t' robot looked like a robot, I had to add more rocket stuff. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! For recovery, me hearties, a piece o' thin Keelhaul®©™ twine was tied around t' launch lug that supports t' arms and was epoxied t' the shoulder/head assembly. Well, blow me down! A launch lug was glued midway up t' back. Ya scallywag! And finally, I scrounged some thin clear plastic for fins. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' four fins were glued t' the bottom o' t' leg above t' feet.

Finishin' was performed with a combination of simple water colors and some card stock cutouts. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! I painted t' robot before permanently attachin' t' legs, arms, me bucko, matey, and fins so I'd have better access t' its nooks and crannies.

Flight and Recovery

After some miscues, me bucko, I finally got both motors to light. M.M.X. Blimey! Ahoy! reached a whoppin' altitude o' 4ft. Aye aye! T' second photo below shows it on t' way down, me hearties, ya bilge rat, me hearties, just before ejection.

Conclusion

Although t' rocket flew, t' have a mature model I'd have t' build lighter. Begad! Well, blow me down! I might also opt for a lug that is closer to the axis o' t' motors and a different ejection method. Ya scallywag! Such conclusions are the point o' a prototypin' effort. Arrr! Avast! I didn't find time t' build V2.0, me hearties, me hearties, ya bilge rat, so I guess this is it for this contest.