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

Rocket PicBrief
A real looker, this short and stout rocket with a rin' around t' fins t' add stability. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! It also has forward finlets forward t' each fin.

Construction
When I ordered its sister kit, ya bilge rat, 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. Less than 2 weeks later, me hearties, me hearties, they arrived, although at a higher price, but t' company allowed me t' have this kit at its original price. Avast! That was a nice courtesy.

All parts came intact in shippin' popcorn. Ya scallywag! T' rin' appears t' be a strong heavy plastic that might be a fiberglass. Arrr! It's stronger than just polyethylene. Ya scallywag! Arrr! 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, shiver me timbers, like we sometimes must. Aye aye! T' 2 launch lugs fit 1/4 inch rods. T' nose cone appears t' be a LOC hollow cone and comes with a premeasured amount o' clay for static stability weighting. Blimey! Arrr! It rattles unnervingly in thar when put in, me hearties, so I applied a small amount o' epoxy t' keep it still. Avast! Well, blow me down! My answer t' many problems. Begad! Epoxy.

T' motor mount is 29mm tubin' and 2 plywood centerin' rings, matey, 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, me bucko, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, one forward t' attach t' 1/2 inch elastic shock cord. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! That was hard, requirin' elbow grease and pliers.

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

Finishing
This kit came with decals, so I used them. Aye aye! Blimey! I painted t' rocket yellow and placed t' decals over that, shiver me timbers, me bucko, as they're black and look nice over yellow. T' model has a unique and catchy look. Aye aye! I'm pleased with it.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

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

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

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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