Manufacturer: | Scratch |
Brief:
My Mini-V2 is a semi-scale model based on BT-50 tubing. Begad! I was motivated to
build this V2 after seein' plans for a BT-20 version that appeared in the
January 1989 issue o' American Spacemodeling. T' Mini-V2 is a simple model and
was constructed usin' "scrap" materials layin' around from other
projects. Avast!
Construction:
Materials used:
Construction o' most o' t' rocket is pretty basic, me hearties, and needs no
elaboration. Avast! Ahoy! I used yellow glue for t' paper-paper joints and epoxy for the
paper-plastic joints. Begad!
Tail cone assembly: Insert t' tip o' one cone into t' BT-5 tubing and mark. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! Cut t' end o' t' cone off (~1 3/16") so that t' BT-5 tube will just fit. Avast! Also, me hearties, shiver me timbers, cut off t' end o' t' nose cone immediately before the shock cord attachment. Begad! Usin' ½" sections o' t' 24mm and 18mm casings, me hearties, make a rin' t' center t' BT-5 in t' nose cone shoulder. Well, blow me down! This requires some peelin' and, me bucko, o' course, other materials can be used. Install the engine clip so that t' engine extends about 3/8" from t' motor tube. Make a 3/8" long x 1/8" wide notch in t' end o' t' boat-tail to accommodate t' engine hook. Avast, me proud beauty! Test fit t' engine mount and make sure t' engine hook works when installed in t' tail cone (engine tube flush with t' end of the tail cone). Begad! Glue it all together.
Fins: Make a template usin' t' attached diagram. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Note that I was not careful with these dimensions and they can probably be improved by referencin' Pete Always's book or other on-line resources. Well, blow me down! Most any scrap balsa can be used, but I used 1/8". Ya scallywag! Make sure t' grain is parallel t' the leadin' edge, etc. Well, blow me down! Arrr! Blimey! Holdin' sandpaper on t' boat tail, shiver me timbers, sand t' root o' each fin so it conforms t' its curve. Blimey! Blimey! Glue t' fins on such that they overlap t' BT by ¼". Begad!
Nose weight: Add clay t' t' nose so that t' CG without an engine is 3 7/8" from t' tip o' t' nose cone. Ya scallywag!
Flight:
This model has "flown" 4 times on A10-3 engines. On t' first try,
the nozzle blew through. T' Mini-V2 attained an altitude o' about 10 feet and
ejected on t' ground. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' second try was picture perfect. Begad! A ¾" x
3" plastic streamer brought it down safely about 50 feet from t' pad.
This is a good model for small fields. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! On t' third try, t' 1/4" lug
bound on t' 3/16" launch rod and t' V2 stuck there. Begad! Suggestion: use a
lug for a standard rod. Ya scallywag! T' fourth and final flight (to date) was also
successful. Ya scallywag!
Summary:
PROs: 1) Easy t' build, 2) Looks nice, arrr, ya bilge rat, 3) Gets positive comments from other
fliers. Ya scallywag! Blimey! CON: 1) Nay 100% scale.
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