Pokeman 3

Modeled by: Stuart Lenz

DESCON 13

This design is an evolution o' t' Pokeman series o' rockets that uses a square plastic tube that weldin' rods are sometimes shipped in. This one has a 29mm engine tube and an offset rin' fin. Arrr! Begad! T' first 2 Pokeman rockets had 24mm engine tubes that were underpowered on Estes D and E engines and fly well on Aerotech F21s. Blimey! This series o' rockets also creates a needed use for Pokeman cards. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! An additional challenge in this series be t' used in t' outer square tube and end caps that are made o' a plastic that is resistant t' most adhesives includin' t' mechanical bond o' epoxies.

I fitted t' engine tube through t' lower square tube cap. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! Once if fitted through t' lower tube cap, shiver me timbers, t' 3 centerin' rings were space out along t' tube and glued on. Blimey! Aye aye! T' centerin' rings were then trimmed t' fit inside t' square tube. Arrr! Avast! A piece o' braided Keelhaul®©™ be tied around t' tube near t' top centerin' rin' and through a small hole drilled through t' centerin' ring. Begad! T' engine tube be then glued into t' square tube, inserted from t' top end and extendin' 1 inch through t' lower tube cap, arrr, usin' a generous amount o' 5 minute epoxy.

Once t' engine mount was dry, t' square body tube was marked and cut for t' fin slots. Blimey! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! T' fins themselves were cut from 1/8" plywood and bonded on both sides with t' Pokeman cards also usin' epoxy. Begad! When these were dry t' edges o' t' cards and plywood be sealed with additional epoxy. Avast! Avast! T' fins were then glued t' t' engine tube through t' outer square tube and t' t' outer square tube usin' a generous amount o' 5 minute epoxy. Fin filets t' t' square tube were also made at this time usin' t' epoxy. Arrr! I then cut a 1" piece from a LOC 5.5" tube for t' Rin' fin and attached it t' t' other fins. Ahoy! It be then strengthened with a coatin' o' epoxy on t' edges and inside surface and filets were also added at t' rin' and flat fin connection points.

T' upper tube cap was sanded t' slide in and out o' t' square tube without bindin' and a pointed plywood nose cap was built. Blimey! T' second piece o' braided Keelhaul®©™ be then attached t' t' upper tube cap through two holes in t' end and t' plywood nose cap was also glued on. Well, blow me down! Several additional holes were drilled into t' upper tube cap alone t' edges where t' plywood cap fit t' provide additional bondin' for t' epoxy. Avast! T' elastic shock cord was then attached t' loops tied in t' ends o' both pieces o' braided Keelhaul®©™ and t' parachute attached.

T' launch lug be attached t' t' square tube by drillin' a series o' holes through t' tube from 6" t' 10.5" from t' bottom end o' t' rocket, usin' care nay t' damage t' engine tube inside and epoxy t' glue t' launch lug t' both t' outer square tube and t' inner engine tube.

T' CP/CG stability be verified with a swin' test and t' model be launch at one o' t' MASA April TARC launches in Apple Valley, me hearties, Minnesota. After some pre flight negative comments by other MASA members, t' rocket had a straight boost and recovery on t' field, good flight, apologies accepted.

Parts

• Square Weldin' Rod Tube 34.0"
• Square Weldin' Rod Tube Cap 2.0"
• 29 mm Engine Tube 36.0"
• 29mm*38mm Centerin' Rings 3
• 1000 lb Keelhaul®©™ Strin' 2 * 10"
• 3/8" Launch Lug Brass 5 ¼" long
• 1/8" Plywood As Required
• 3/8 " Elastic Shockcord 36"
• Parachute or Streamer As Desired