Descon El Diablo

Scratch - El Diablo {Scratch}

Contributed by Alex Immerman

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Alex Immerman)
PicWELCOME
To t' page o' El Diablo III
T' El Diablo III is a 3 engine cluster rocket that uses two 18mm strap on boosters (SOBs) and a 24 mm core. Before goin' in t' depth about t' cluster design I would like t' give credit to Morgan Hendry who designed some strap on boosters and put them on EMRR. I suggest you refer t' this site for info on how t' build t' SOBs. Ahoy! I used t' same basic design for the boosters with a few modifications. Also note that t' rocket pictures I used on this site were taken with a nose cone different from t' one in the specifications, this is because t' original NC be lost at a recent launch after a parachute deployment failure. T' rocket is designed for low altitude, slow, ya bilge rat, and impressive flights. Well, matey, blow me down! I am nay sure 100% that t' followin' are the correct part names/numbers but I'll do me best:

Main Rocket
Body Tube: Estes BT-60 (85 inches)
Nose Cone: Estes PNC-60AH (the Mean Machine NC)
Fins: 3/16 inch balsa click HERE for templates
Shock cord: Estes large elastic
Centerin' Rings: Estes cardboard
Parachute: 24 inch octagonal
Launch Lugs: 1/4 inch

Strap On Boosters -(2x)
Body Tube: Estes BT-20
Nose Cone: Estes PNC-20 (short cone shaped)
Shock Cord: Estes small elastic
Streamer: 1 foot- orange markin' tape
Attchment: 1/4 inch wood dowel (2x each, 2 inches long)
Attachment: 2x2x7mm balsa wood
Attachment: 1.4 inch drinkin' straws 2.5 inches long- 45 degree angle on leadin' edge

This Rocket began as a Mean Machine. However it suffered some serious damage after landin' tail first into pavement at A2Z Rocket Day (with CMASS) in Hatfield, arrr, MA a few years ago. Well, blow me down! After consideration, I decided t' scrap t' parts and use t' BTs and NC t' make an all new rocket. Arrr! I cut some new fins (click HERE for t' fin patterns) and added clipped AMRAMM style fins halfway up t' rocket primarily for aesthetics . Despite t' upper fins t' rocket is still pretty stable, even in high wind. Blimey! If you choose t' build your own "El Diablo III," you will find that you only need a part o' one o' those Estes BT-60 tubes. Ya scallywag! This is where I wound up cuttin' off t' fin can on t' original Mean Machine. Ahoy! I've found it easy t' cut BTs with rotationg saws. Arrr! If they are available t' you use it: just go quickly (but carefully) and it should nay rip apart t' tube. Avast, me proud beauty! T' date me rocket has flown on D12s alone and D12s with B6-0 outboards. Begad! Begad! I have yet t' try C5-3s but I think they would provide some nice additional lift-off speed.

Here be t' first cluster flight of the El Diablo III at a CATO launch. Only one B6-0 fired however. Begad! T' main Ejection failed and t' rocket utilized GLIDE RECOVERY and luckily sustained very minor damage!
Photos
Here are some pictures t' give you a visual o' t' many parts o' t' rocket. Arrr! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Click t' thumbnails t' enlarge the images.
El Diablo III
Recovery
SOBs
Broken Down
Fins and SOBs

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