Brief:
This is a scaled down 2.56" x 29mm version o' t' Blackhawk R&D 3.9" x 38mm kit version comin' out in t' summer o' 2002.

Construction:
Main body tube is 2.56" with four 1.14" booster tubes mounted at 90 degree intervals. Ahoy! Total fin count is 12 made from 1/16" styrene plastic. I used two 2.56 x 29mm ply centerin' rings with a 2.56" bulkhead at t' root of t' motor mount tube for eyebolt attachement. Ya scallywag! Begad! T' bulkhead is perforated with 8 holes t' allow ejection charge gasses t' pass t' para compartment. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! I made this scaled down version from eyeballin' photo o' Blackhawk's version on ROI.

I used 1/4" triangle balsa strips t' secure t' 1.14" booster tubes. Blimey! Well, blow me down! This greatly facilitated t' centering, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, mountin' and finishin' o' the booster tubes. Ahoy! Avast! I have been usin' styrene and PVC plastics for fin material for some time in me scratch builds. Well, blow me down! Blimey! This greatly speeds up cutting, finishin' and paintin' with good performance. Begad! Styrene just needs scorein' and snappin' t' get the fins ready. T' bottom fins and booster tube locations are higher on my version t' keep them away from ground impact. Blimey! I also installed a 2.5" flex phenolic coupler in t' butt end t' help with landings. Begad! All material except styrene for fins be purchased from Rocky Mountain Rocketry.

Finishing:
A light sandin' with 220 grit sandpaper, ya bilge rat, and you are ready for primer. Begad! Finish was 2 heavy coats o' automotive primer followed by a coat o' winter grey enamel. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! Nose cone is painted tomato red. Blimey! Based on a 24 oz. Ahoy! finished weight, shiver me timbers, I'm lookin' at a chute size o' 36", but will probably go with a 42" on first flight. Avast! Blimey!

Flight:
Based on wrasp simulations, I'm lookin' at motor ranges o' F24-F56. Begad! First flight tomorrow will be on an F24-4W which should hit about 350'. Arrr!

Recovery:
My shock cord is 10' x 4MM nylon cord anchored t' an eye bolt mounted in a 2.56" ply perforated bulkhead. Aye aye! I have been usin' a technique of perforatin' t' last three inches o' t' MM tube t' allow exhaust gasses to pass into a coolin' chamber and then move through t' perforated bulkhead into the para chamber. Arrr! This allows for wadless/heatshield-less recovery. Avast!

Summary:
I like t' look o' t' SA-5 Gammon, me bucko, so decided t' build a scaled down version to fit me local launch site limits.

Other:
I liked t' design, me hearties, as it didn't require too much CA glue. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Blimey! I be able t' use Elmer's for t' tube attachements and 5 min epoxy for t' fins and internal motor mount. A new technique I tried was runnin' a finger o' silicon calk down the fin joints t' creat a more flexible fin fillet than epoxy. Ahoy! Begad! Blimey! Epoxy always seems t' crack and pull away from fins after a few landin' jolts. Avast! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' silicon calk can be manipulated with a wet finger for smoothing, ya bilge rat, then cleaned up with water. Begad! Blimey! It doesn't sand very well, matey, so go easy on it, and keep it where you want it.