Brief:
This is a scaled down 2.56" x 29mm version o' t' Blackhawk R&D 3.9" x 38mm kit version comin' out in t' summer o' 2002.

Construction:
Main body tube is 2.56" with four 1.14" booster tubes mounted at 90 degree intervals. Avast! Well, me bucko, blow me down! Total fin count is 12 made from 1/16" styrene plastic. Begad! Well, blow me down! I used two 2.56 x 29mm ply centerin' rings with a 2.56" bulkhead at t' root of t' motor mount tube for eyebolt attachement. Aye aye! T' bulkhead is perforated with 8 holes t' allow ejection charge gasses t' pass t' para compartment. I made this scaled down version from eyeballin' photo o' Blackhawk's version on ROI.

I used 1/4" triangle balsa strips t' secure t' 1.14" booster tubes. Avast! This greatly facilitated t' centering, mountin' and finishin' o' the booster tubes. Blimey! I have been usin' styrene and PVC plastics for fin material for some time in me scratch builds. Ahoy! Ahoy! This greatly speeds up cutting, me hearties, finishin' and paintin' with good performance. Ya scallywag! Styrene just needs scorein' and snappin' t' get the fins ready. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' bottom fins and booster tube locations are higher on my version t' keep them away from ground impact. Well, blow me down! I also installed a 2.5" flex phenolic coupler in t' butt end t' help with landings. Aye aye! All material except styrene for fins be purchased from Rocky Mountain Rocketry. Aye aye!

Finishing:
A light sandin' with 220 grit sandpaper, me bucko, and you are ready for primer. Ya scallywag! Arrr! Finish was 2 heavy coats o' automotive primer followed by a coat o' winter grey enamel. Nose cone is painted tomato red. Based on a 24 oz. Begad! finished weight, I'm lookin' at a chute size o' 36", matey, me hearties, but will probably go with a 42" on first flight. Avast! Blimey!

Flight:
Based on wrasp simulations, I'm lookin' at motor ranges o' F24-F56. Aye aye! First flight tomorrow will be on an F24-4W which should hit about 350'. Begad!

Recovery:
My shock cord is 10' x 4MM nylon cord anchored t' an eye bolt mounted in a 2.56" ply perforated bulkhead. Begad! I have been usin' a technique of perforatin' t' last three inches o' t' MM tube t' allow exhaust gasses to pass into a coolin' chamber and then move through t' perforated bulkhead into the para chamber. Avast! Aye aye! This allows for wadless/heatshield-less recovery. Aye aye!

Summary:
I like t' look o' t' SA-5 Gammon, arrr, ya bilge rat, matey, so decided t' build a scaled down version to fit me local launch site limits.

Other:
I liked t' design, as it didn't require too much CA glue. I was able t' use Elmer's for t' tube attachements and 5 min epoxy for t' fins and internal motor mount. Avast, me proud beauty! A new technique I tried was runnin' a finger o' silicon calk down the fin joints t' creat a more flexible fin fillet than epoxy. Epoxy always seems t' crack and pull away from fins after a few landin' jolts. T' silicon calk can be manipulated with a wet finger for smoothing, then cleaned up with water. Aye aye! It doesn't sand very well, so go easy on it, and keep it where you want it.