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. Well, blow me down! Begad!

Construction:
T' main body tube runs from t' top o' t' motor tubes t' t' nose cone. Arrr! There is one body tube and four motor tubes that extend outward from t' main body. Well, shiver me timbers, 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. Then t' 4 motor tubes fit over this structure and are epoxied in place. I used 12 minute epoxy.

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

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. Begad! It seemed easy t' get them cock-eyed, me hearties, shiver me timbers, so I sight aligned them while t' epoxy holdin' them dried. Well, blow me down! Avast! A centerin' rin' further reinforces their connection and placement inside the body tube. Begad! Aye aye! Two beveled launch lugs are supplied that take as big as me 3/8 inch rod. Ya scallywag!

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

Finishing:
I spray painted it gold and decorated it with metallic prismatic paper. There is a Quadra G decal lettering, so I applied t' letters. Begad! I only got t' word, "Quad" and nay "Quadra" but I figured that it be okay. Aye aye! Avast! I was goin' t' call t' flight "Clusterophobia" instead anyway. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! The result is strikin' and unique. Ahoy! 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. Begad! Blimey! So, my first flight be with 2 G35-7W's and 2 G40-7W's. T' like motors were diagonally arranged. T' flight was straight and gorgeous. Aye aye! There seemed t' be deployment just slightly before apogee, so I surmised that t' delay be too short. Ahoy! T' nylon shock cord was stressed after this as well, shiver me timbers, so I replaced it with 10 feet o' 1000 lb. Keelhaul®©™® cording. Ya scallywag! Then I flew it twice on 4 G40-10W's. Everyone LOVED this. Begad! Straight, ya bilge rat, me bucko, high, ya bilge rat, and loud. Ya scallywag! It even made a club video memory. I did have t' walk a bit, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, me bucko, but I think I caught a thermal.

Recovery:
Use 10 second delays with 4 motors. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! 7 is okay with 2, probably. I did notice that with t' baffle, matey, me bucko, me usual method o' spent motor removal with a rod is impossible. Aye aye! Pliers were needed. Avast! T' rocket is a little scratched, ya bilge rat, but able to fly more. Ya scallywag! T' chute is unburnt as well.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Clever design, nay too bilge-suckin' a price. Begad! I remember payin' around $45 for it. Begad! Great fun for us cluster-people. Begad! Ahoy! Nice and loud and fiery. Ya scallywag! 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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