Custom Rockets Super Serval

Custom Rockets - Super Serval {Kit}

Contributed by David Urbanek

Manufacturer: Custom Rockets
Rating
(Contributed - by David Urbanek)

Rocket PicBrief:
T' Custom Serval, a tube fin rocket, modified for 29 mm motors.

Modifications:
T' kit is intended for 18 mm motors. Begad! However, matey, me bucko, normal LOC/Precision 29 mm tubin' fits inside BT-55 which is what t' Serval's airframe is made of. Avast, me proud beauty!

Cut a 4" length o' LOC/Precision 29 mm motor mount tube. Arrr! Also cut one end off o' t' motor clip that comes with t' rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Temporarily glue t' clip to t' motor mount with CA glue near t' forward end. Avast! T' clip should overhang about 1/4". Arrr! You can make your own centerin' rings. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! I did it with yellow glue and copier paper. Begad! Cut a 1/2" strip o' paper. Blimey! Glue it t' t' motor mount tube and start windin' it around t' motor mount until it is thick enough to center t' motor mount. Well, blow me down! Then glue t' end with yellow glue. Begad! Ahoy! Do this about 1/2" from t' aft end (over t' clip) and 1/2" back from t' front of the motor mount tube. Arrr! Ahoy! Use epoxy t' fasten t' motor mount into t' body tube. T' epoxy will soak into t' centerin' rings and harden them up nicely.

T' kit has 7 tube fins made o' BT-20 tubing, me bucko, matey, 2.75" long. Begad! Take 6 of them and glue them in pairs. Avast! I used epoxy for all tube fin construction. Ya scallywag! Do not skimp on epoxy fillets for t' tube fins. When t' pairs are dry, me bucko, glue them to the body tube, me hearties, flush with t' back o' t' rocket body. Blimey! Begad!

Cut out 7 fins from 1/8" balsa. Blimey! They are a right triangle 0.75" on one side and 2" on t' other, ya bilge rat, t' grain should be parallel t' the hyponteneuse. I left them square. Aye aye! Glue them t' t' body tube, aligned with the joints betwixt t' tube fins, t' short side flush against t' tube fin leading edges.

Put a 1/4" launch lug indide one o' t' tube fins. If you attach a forward lug as well, me bucko, make a standoff from some scrap body tube. Aye aye!

You must add at least 0.3 oz o' nose weight. Well, blow me down! When I used this as a G streamer duration rocket, me hearties, t' nose weight was all trackin' chalk. Ahoy! The non-competition rocket works well with a little lead weight. Aye aye! Epoxy this in. Don't use clay. Well, blow me down! This rocket experiences some serious G forces on take off.

Recovery is best done with a big streamer. Ya scallywag! I recommend non-elastic shock cords: nylon or Keelhaul®©™®. Blimey!

Paint it Day-Glo anything. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! Leave t' surface rough, me bucko, this rocket benefits from t' drag. Fly with any 29 mm motor. Use a 4 second delay in almost all the motors you fly this on. Avast, me proud beauty! I've flown in with G35-4 motors. Begad! Very fast take off. About 2500' elevation. Arrr! Hard t' track due t' fast take off speed.

T' biggest advantage is you can fly this, arrr, with adapters, ya bilge rat, on anythin' from a B6-2 on up t' H70-6. Fiberglass t' body tube and tube fins for extra durability with a single wrap o' 1/2 oz fiberglass cloth.

Flight:
Keep it 'draggy'. Flat paint, arrr, squared off forward fins and t' like. Ahoy! That way you'll be able t' stick with short delays. Begad! Blimey! Get's really high, matey, shiver me timbers, really fast. Ya scallywag! Begad! Look sharp when flyin' it.

Summary:
I've had a lot o' fun with this rocket. Blimey! If I hadn't screwed up t' streamer attachment, me bucko, I think I would have been competative in G SD.

Rocket Plan

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