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. Arrr!

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. Arrr!

This rocket has a very clever fin alignment system. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! 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! Begad! T' fins weren't even rough. But they did need a little beveling. Begad! I did this with a finishin' sander. Avast! T' wood appears t' be 1/8 inch thick birch. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. Ya scallywag! It seemed easy t' get them cock-eyed, so I sight aligned them while t' epoxy holdin' them dried. Arrr! A centerin' rin' further reinforces their connection and placement inside the body tube. Blimey! Avast! Two beveled launch lugs are supplied that take as big as me 3/8 inch rod. Ahoy! Ya scallywag!

T' recovery system is another clever design. Blimey! Blimey! It is a coupler and bulkhead with holes in it like a baffle. Begad! Arrr! A screweye anchors t' round nylon shock cord. T' chute was supplied, me hearties, and is a thin nylon, me hearties, shiver me timbers, bright yellow 24 incher. Blimey!

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

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

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Clever design, ya bilge rat, nay too bad a price. I remember payin' around $45 for it. Blimey! Begad! Great fun for us cluster-people. Nice and loud and fiery. Aye aye! 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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