Brief:
I designed and built this rocket for #3 Challange o' t' 2009 EMRR Challenge – Kit bash 2 kits and build a multi-stage rocket. I chose t' kit bash Flis’ Long OverDue and Quest’s Tomahawk SLCM Cruise Missile. I really liked t' look o' t' Long Over Due so I decided t' keep t' basic design and use t' component from t' Tomahawk to build a booster that had very similar appearance. So here it be t' “Turbo Charged Long OverDue”.

Modifications:
My plan was t' use t' body tube from t' Tomhawk t' create a booster that complimented t' design o' t' Long OverDue. Arrr! Avast! I cut t' body tube from t' Tomahawk usin' t' same template provided for t' tube fins o' Long OverDue and glued them t' a 2.75” section o' motor tube from t' Tomahawk (see picture o' booster). Ya scallywag! I noticed that Tomahawk body tube was slightly smaller than t' Long OverDue so I made them interlock. Begad! Other than addin' t' necessary nose weight t' make it stable; I followed t' Flis Kit Directions t' build t' Long OverDue. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I did shorten t' inner tube (BT-20) for t' tube fins by .25” t' allow t' fins t' interlock.

Construction:
Here be t' list o' components as well as t' rocket kit they can from:

• Nose Cone – Long OverDue
• BT-20 Body Tube – 8.62” – Long OverDue
• BT-20 Body Tube – 1.2” – Long OverDue
• BT-60 Body Tube – 8.5” – Long OverDue
• BT-50 Body Tube – 14.75” – Long OverDue
• BT-60 Body Tube – 8.5” – Tomahawk
• BT-20 Body Tube – 5.0” – Tomahawk
• Launch Lug - 2 - Long OverDue
• Parachute – 16” – Long OverDue
• Centerin' Rin' 20/50 – 2 – Long OverDue
• Shock Cord – 30” Long OverDue
• Kelvar Cord – 30” Tomahawk
• Nose Cone Weight – From me Bench

PROS - Pretty nice build - t' Flis kit goes together just as you would expect for one o' their kits – nice quality components and well written instructions. Nice surprise was t' slightly smaller BT-60 tube from t' Tomahawk which allowed me t' interlock t' booster and main body tube fins providin' extra support durin' launch.

CONS – I had planned t' attach t' shock cord t' t' motor centerin' ring, but forgot when gluin' it in place so t' shock cord loops around t' engine and creates a pretty tight fittin' engine. Ya scallywag! No big deal, just need to remember this when preparin' t' motors.

Flight:
I always like t' fly a scratch or modified design naked so I can easily fix any damage from stability issues, shiver me timbers, etc. Well, blow me down! Begad! In this case, arrr, I flew t' rocket on a day with 10-15mph winds and although I was flyin' on a farm I was a little worried about recovery. T' rocket leaped o' t' pad and started t' weather cock into t' wind at about 100 feet. Avast! It staged nicely continuin' t' fly into t' wind until ejection. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! Parachute opened and t' rocket descended; however, with a 10-15mph wind, I walked and walked and walked. Begad! I finally found t' rocket about a mile down wind – thankful it weather cocked into t' wind otherwise it would have been gone. Ahoy! I decided t' wait for a calm day for flight #2 and #3. Well, blow me down!

After a coat o' primer, me hearties, I decided t' go fly it again. Begad! T' second flight was t' day after Thanksgiving; t' wind be much calmer (maybe 5 mph). Ahoy! It was a great boost, smartly off t' pad, me hearties, it staged nicely and be out o' sight. Avast, me proud beauty! The booster landed right near t' pad; however, t' main section was lost in t' deep woods. Begad! Blimey! After hikin' around t' woods for an hour I decided t' let t' local deer hunters find it before they shot me.

Other:
Staged kit bash turned out very nice. Avast, me proud beauty! Thanks EMRR for challengin' me with this year's challenge and expandin' my knowledge on how t' build multi-stage rockets.