Scratch Micro Slam Dunk Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Micro Slam Dunk {Scratch}

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Dick Stafford - 11/20/01)

Brief:
T' Micro Slam Dunk is a Sputnik style Micro-Maxx rocket. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Its major components include a basketball-shaped shoe deodorizer and four bamboo skewers.

Construction:
While cleanin' up t' basement, me bucko, I ran across an old shoe deodorizer that looked like a basketball. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I stuffed it away in me junk box thinkin' "nose cone". Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! When tryin' t' decide on me next Micro-Maxx project, arrr, matey, however, me bucko, I looked at this orange and black orb and immediately thought, me hearties, ya bilge rat, Sputnik!

After disassemblin' t' ball, matey, I found that two integral plastic tubes held it together. Avast! These can be seen in t' first photograph. Avast! For t' motor mount, I drilled a 6mm hole, arrr, me bucko, me bucko, approximately 3/8" deep in t' half with t' larger tube. Ya scallywag! Begad! I also cut off about 1/4" o' t' thinner tube t' allow t' halves to separate more easily. Well, blow me down! Thus, t' two internal plastic tubes form an ejection piston o' sorts. Blimey! A small section o' Keelhaul®©™® twine holds it all together. Well, blow me down! I also drilled a small hole in each half for the launch rod, matey, and four slightly larger holes for t' legs. Blimey! T' legs consist of bamboo skewers, which are glued in with Liquid Nails. Aye aye! Arrr!

Flight:
Although I test-fit t' rocket on t' launcher, ya bilge rat, I needed t' elevate the launcher slightly on t' grass at t' launch site. I flew t' Micro Slam Dunk three times. Well, blow me down! Well, arrr, blow me down! Each flight rose t' a mere 20 feet or so. Blimey! Nay an impressive altitude but it be fun t' watch. On t' first two flights, t' two halves did not separate and t' motor ejected with a loud pop. Begad! For t' third try, I loosened t' halves t' they were barely connected, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, arrr, and separation did occur. After all three flights, me hearties, matey, it landed back on its legs. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty!

Summary:
T' Micro Slam Dunk is yet another easy t' build Micro-Maxx rocket. It is a bit heavy but is still stable and ejects well before landing. Begad! Before it flies again, I will work on loosenin' up t' two halves so it will separate when the two halves are completely together.

scratch slam dunk
scratch slam dunk
scratch slam dunk

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