Fat Cat Rockets Ringleader

Fat Cat Rockets - Ringleader {Kit}

Contributed by Moira Jean Whitlock

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Fat Cat Rockets

Brief
A real looker, this short and stout rocket with a rin' around t' fins t' add stability. Aye aye! It also has forward finlets forward t' each fin.

Construction
When I ordered its sister kit, matey, t' GTX, this model be temporarily sold out, so I told t' company please t' inform me when more came and that I'd send for it. Aye aye! Less than 2 weeks later, they arrived, matey, although at a higher price, me hearties, but t' company allowed me t' have this kit at its original price. Avast! Aye aye! That be a nice courtesy.

All parts came intact in shippin' popcorn. T' rin' appears t' be a strong heavy plastic that might be a fiberglass. Blimey! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! It's stronger than just polyethylene. Avast! T' fins and finlets are precut plywood and t' sizes are equal in t' sets. Ahoy! That's nice nay t' have t' shave some parts t' fit or match, like we sometimes must. T' 2 launch lugs fit 1/4 inch rods. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' nose cone appears t' be a LOC hollow cone and comes with a premeasured amount o' clay for static stability weighting. Begad! It rattles unnervingly in thar when put in, so I applied a small amount o' epoxy t' keep it still. Blimey! Well, me bucko, blow me down! My answer t' many problems. Epoxy.

T' motor mount is 29mm tubin' and 2 plywood centerin' rings, me bucko, one o' which has 2 holes designed t' accept a loop from t' steel cordin' in t' aftward part o' t' shock cord system. Blimey! This cord is crimped twice t' make 2 loops, one forward t' attach t' 1/2 inch elastic shock cord. Ya scallywag! That was hard, requirin' elbow grease and pliers.

Everythin' else goes together in a snap, me bucko, as it fits well. Begad! Epoxy was used as t' glue. Arrr! Directions were simple and straightforward. T' chute is a pretty red rip stop, me hearties, but lightweight nylon, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, me hearties, 23 inches in diameter.

Finishing
This kit came with decals, ya bilge rat, so I used them. Arrr! I painted t' rocket yellow and placed t' decals over that, as they're black and look nice over yellow. Avast! Ahoy! T' model has a unique and catchy look. Well, blow me down! I'm pleased with it.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight
T' manufacturer recommends t' F40-6, ya bilge rat, arrr, F62-6, arrr, F80-6, shiver me timbers, G40-10, and G80-10. Arrr! I chose t' G35. Ahoy! It happens t' be a favorite motor o' mine. Arrr! Ahoy! I had one with a 7 delay. I figured that was a close call. Begad! I'd like an 8 or 9, really. Well, blow me down! Anyway, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, I like t' Econojets because they are noisy on takeoff and put out a pretty flame. Begad! Ya scallywag! Well, t' rocket took off with great noise and went up over 1000 feet for sure. Begad! It went up into t' sun, matey, so I was unsure if it was still pointed up at ejection. Ahoy! I retained t' motor with piano wire and an auto hose clamp. Avast, me proud beauty! Worm bed waddin' protected t' chute. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! Everythin' fit easily into t' tube and wasn't so tight as t' make preppin' tough.

Recovery
Everythin' survived well, shiver me timbers, so it seems that t' 7 second delay is passable. Begad! T' chute is also a passable size, arrr, too, as no fins were damaged.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary
Attractive and easy t' build. Good if you want somethin' special t' show others at a launch. Ya scallywag! Avast! It's somethin' you won't find in stores. Ya scallywag! I had t' browse t' net for it. Aye aye! Good mid power flights. Great company t' order from.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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