Scratch USA Gymnastics Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - USA Gymnastics {Scratch}

Contributed by Alex Rothchild

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Alex Jordan - 01/06/05) (Scratch) USA Gymnastics rocket

Brief:
This is a single stage, scratch built rocket with six fins, arrr, 24mm motor mount, and 3/16 launch lug. Begad! It can hold up t' a F21-8. Aye aye! Avast! It is painted yellow, me hearties, orange, and black along with a big USA Gymnastics sticker on it since I built it for my sister, arrr, who is a gymnast.

Construction:
I used all Estes components. Ahoy! T' parts list:

  • 1 14" long BT-80 body tube
  • 1 3" long BT-80 body tube
  • 1 BT-80 tube coupler
  • 1 NC-80
  • 1 24mm motor mount for BT-80
  • 1 18" chute
  • 1 1/4" x 48" inch shock cord
  • 2 3" x 12" x 3/16" balsa sheets
  • 1 plastic straw (used as a launch lug)

This was a simple rocket t' build. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! It consisted o' buildin' a traditional 24mm motor mount (centerin' rings, shiver me timbers, MM tube, engine hook, me hearties, shiver me timbers, engine block, shiver me timbers, and paper ring). Well, blow me down! Once those were on, arrr, shiver me timbers, me bucko, I used t' Estes body tube markin' guide (a MUST have) t' make six lines on t' BT. Avast, me proud beauty! I then cut out two different fin patterns and positioned t' fins around t' body tube. I glued them on and applied t' usual fillets. Arrr! T' fins were surface mounted. Ahoy! Ahoy! I then glued t' tube coupler into t' 3" BT-80 tube and t' nose cone on t' other end. Begad! The shock cord was connected t' t' upper centerin' rin' and t' t' nose cone. The chute be connected t' t' shock cord. Begad! I then used regular straws for launch lugs.

Finishing:
I primed it with Rustoleum and painted it yellow, orange, and black. Blimey! I put a USA Gymnastics sticker on it.

Flight:
This rocket has flown once on a D12-3. Begad! It was a great flight t' about 1000 feet. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! T' delay could be a bit longer though. Avast! It got scratched up a lot on landin' and popped a fin. Ya scallywag! Avast!

Recovery:
Ejection be right at apogee. Arrr! Begad! T' 18" chute inflated and t' rocket drifted about 100ft down field.

Summary:
I think this is a great rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! It came out well and flies great on 24mm engines. Aye aye! T' next flight is planned for a D12-3. Aye aye!

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