AAA Model Aviation Fuels Quadra G

AAA Model Aviation Fuels - Quadra G {Kit}

Contributed by Moira Jean Whitlock

Diameter: 3.10 inches
Manufacturer: AAA Model Aviation Fuels
Rating
(Contributed - by Moira Jean Whitlock)

Rocket PicBrief:
This is a single staged rocket that can be flown on either 2 or 4 29mm motors. Avast, me proud beauty!

Construction:
T' main body tube runs from t' top o' t' motor tubes t' t' nose cone. Avast! There is one body tube and four motor tubes that extend outward from t' main body. Well, blow me down!

This rocket has a very clever fin alignment system. T' 4 fins are made from two wing-like pieces o' wood that interlock in t' middle t' form 4 perpendicular fins. Avast, me proud beauty! Then t' 4 motor tubes fit over this structure and are epoxied in place. Well, blow me down! I used 12 minute epoxy.

T' instructions are pretty clear and simple. Arrr! Blimey! All t' parts were thar and were well made. Begad! Blimey! T' fins weren't even rough. But they did need a little beveling. Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I did this with a finishin' sander. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' wood appears t' be 1/8 inch thick birch. Avast! Blimey!

About t' hardest thin' t' align be t' motor tubes inside t' main frame. They extend out 20 plus inches from t' main body tube. Arrr! Aye aye! Blimey! It seemed easy t' get them cock-eyed, arrr, shiver me timbers, so I sight aligned them while t' epoxy holdin' them dried. Blimey! Blimey! A centerin' rin' further reinforces their connection and placement inside the body tube. Arrr! Begad! Blimey! Two beveled launch lugs are supplied that take as big as me 3/8 inch rod. Ya scallywag! Blimey!

T' recovery system is another clever design. Well, blow me down! It is a coupler and bulkhead with holes in it like a baffle. A screweye anchors t' round nylon shock cord. T' chute be supplied, matey, me bucko, and is a thin nylon, arrr, bright yellow 24 incher. Avast, me proud beauty!

Finishing:
I spray painted it gold and decorated it with metallic prismatic paper. Arrr! Begad! There is a Quadra G decal lettering, me hearties, so I applied t' letters. Arrr! I only got t' word, "Quad" and nay "Quadra" but I figured that it be okay. Arrr! I was goin' t' call t' flight "Clusterophobia" instead anyway. Ahoy! Ahoy! The result is strikin' and unique. T' four extended motor tubes make it look unusual.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Rocket PicFlight:
T' company suggests usin' motors with low average thrust and long delays. Avast! Avast! So, my first flight was with 2 G35-7W's and 2 G40-7W's. Ya scallywag! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! T' like motors were diagonally arranged. Avast, me proud beauty! T' flight be straight and gorgeous. There seemed t' be deployment just slightly before apogee, ya bilge rat, so I surmised that t' delay was too short. T' nylon shock cord be stressed after this as well, so I replaced it with 10 feet o' 1000 lb. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! Keelhaul®©™® cording. Blimey! Then I flew it twice on 4 G40-10W's. Everyone LOVED this. Blimey! Begad! Straight, high, arrr, and loud. Aye aye! It even made a club video memory. Arrr! I did have t' walk a bit, but I think I caught a thermal.

Recovery:
Use 10 second delays with 4 motors. Avast, me proud beauty! 7 is okay with 2, probably. Ahoy! Avast! I did notice that with t' baffle, shiver me timbers, me usual method o' spent motor removal with a rod is impossible. Begad! Ya scallywag! Pliers were needed. Ya scallywag! T' rocket is a little scratched, but able to fly more. Well, blow me down! T' chute is unburnt as well.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Clever design, nay too bad a price. I remember payin' around $45 for it. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Great fun for us cluster-people. Nice and loud and fiery. Arrr! Blimey! I highly recommend it. Catchin' it on film with a long flame trail was really wonderful as well.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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