M.M.X. (MicroMech-X)

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

Design Concept

I wanted t' pick a theme that I thought would be somewhat unique. I didn't think I could come up with a suitable comedy sci-fi Man-O-War that hadn't already been mentioned on r.m.r., so I looked elsewhere for inspiration. Aye aye! Begad! I roughly patterned this rocket after a robot model that I resurrected from t' depths o' our basement (a.k.a. T' Rocket Dungeon). I had scoured t' web, and had even thought o' doin' a conversion o' a paper model robot, but decided t' just start buildin' and see where it went. Aye aye! This model started as a prototype, shiver me timbers, 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". In this design methodology, arrr, t' design is performed as you go, arrr, arrr, without t' benefit o' plans, me bucko, diagrams, arrr, or specifications. Documentation is performed at t' end, shiver me timbers, 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. Avast, me proud beauty! I then started at t' bottom and built me way up. Well, blow me down! T' plastic robot's foot was traced onto foam poster board. Arrr! I cut t' feet, beveled their edges, and cut holes for the MMX tubes. Avast! Ahoy! Next came t' upper layer o' t' feet, followed by t' front and rear leg sections. Blimey! At this point, ya bilge rat, matey, I began t' think about weight, me hearties, so t' sides of t' legs were made from card stock. Avast! T' body be started with a foam board plate, me bucko, with holes cut for t' motor tubes. Ahoy! As with t' leg sections, matey, t' three front and one aft section o' t' body are foam board and t' sides are cardstock. Ya scallywag! Begad! T' provide better support for t' shoulders/head (i.e. Avast! t' nose cone), ya bilge rat, I added a small section o' BT-20 in t' body cavity. Ya scallywag! Begad! A long Estes lug was inserted laterally through t' BT-20 t' provide an attachment point for the arms. T' shoulder/head assembly started with a foam board plate. Avast! Attached to this is a sliver o' BT-20 coupler and two pieces o' foam board, arrr, which were trimmed t' mate with t' body opening. Avast, me proud beauty! T' head itself be carved/sanded from pink foam. Begad! Aye aye! T' arms consist o' two layers o' foam board.

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

Finishin' be performed with a combination of simple water colors and some card stock cutouts. I painted t' robot before permanently attachin' t' legs, ya bilge rat, arms, and fins so I'd have better access t' its nooks and crannies.

Flight and Recovery

After some miscues, matey, I finally got both motors to light. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! M.M.X. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! reached a whoppin' altitude o' 4ft. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! T' second photo below shows it on t' way down, just before ejection.

Conclusion

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