Scratch Rectangulator Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Rectangulator {Scratch}

Contributed by Clive Davis

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Clive Davis - 04/19/05) (Scratch) Rectangulator

Brief:
This is another paper rocket design o' mine for explorin' different shapes. This rocket consists o' rectangular boxes for t' body tube, nose cone, arrr, and launch lugs. Standard shapes are used for t' fins.

Construction:
T' entire rocket is made out o' paper except for t' shock cord. Begad! Well, blow me down! All necessary parts o' t' rocket fit on t' an 8.5 x 11" sheet o' paper. Avast!

Instructions can be downloaded here and are easy:

  1. Cut out all parts from the parts sheet.
  2. Shape and glue t' body tube, nose cone, me hearties, fins, ya bilge rat, matey, and launch lugs accordin' to directions, me hearties, usin' white or yellow glue.
  3. Create a motor mount and motor block, which is actually part o' t' motor mount folded inwards at t' top.
  4. Glue t' motor mount in t' body tube.
  5. Glue fins on t' t' corners o' t' body tube.
  6. Glue t' four launch lugs betwixt t' fin tabs.
  7. Create a paper shoulder for t' nose cone t' fit inside t' body tube.
  8. Attach shock cord t' body tube and nose cone usin' t' tri-fold method. Avast! Blimey! Avast! Blimey!
  9. Add support structures with t' extra paper around t' middle and top of the rocket t' support t' fragile paper area by t' nose cone.

Parts

(Scratch) Rectangulator

Finishing:
I used a glossy business paper for me final rockets but have also built the Rectangulator with cardstock in previous prototype models. Since t' rocket is constructed with printed paper, arrr, thar be no need t' finish t' rocket. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! If desired, t' rocket could be sprayed with an acrylic clear coat t' protect paper. Avast, me proud beauty! (This is particularly a good idea if t' patterns were printed on an ink jet printer.)

Flight:
T' motor is friction fit into place. Avast! There is no need for a streamer although on me first flight I tried one. Arrr! T' rocket has four launch lugs, ya bilge rat, so as I prepped me rocket, I did nay have t' align t' rocket any specific way on the launch pad.

All three flights were stable with a quick, arrr, me hearties, straight boost. Blimey! Arrr! T' rocket flew really high for bein' an odd design and rather large for a MicroMaxx model. Aye aye! I removed t' streamer after t' first flight as it be found t' be unnecessary. On t' third flight, me hearties, t' ejection charge either did nay go off or be too weak to eject t' nose cone. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! T' previous two flights had perfect nose cone ejection. Well, blow me down! T' first flight be on an MMX I motor while t' next two flights featured MMX II motors. Well, matey, blow me down! Due t' t' ejection charge nay functionin' on t' final flight, t' rocket plummeted t' t' ground nose first. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket be only slightly crimped in its mid-section. Ahoy! Blimey! With t' addition o' a supprt structure at this midpoint, shiver me timbers, t' rocket should be ready t' go again.

Others

Summary:
PROs: Cheap rocket with distinct looks. Another addition t' t' MMX fleet

CONs: T' rocket can be very delicate in construction and flyin' if you use thin paper.

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