Manufacturer: | Scratch |
Brief:
My Mini-V2 is a semi-scale model based on BT-50 tubing. 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. Begad! Aye aye!
Construction:
Materials used:
Construction o' most o' t' rocket is pretty basic, and needs no
elaboration. I used yellow glue for t' paper-paper joints and epoxy for the
paper-plastic joints.
Tail cone assembly: Insert t' tip o' one cone into t' BT-5 tubing and mark. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Cut t' end o' t' cone off (~1 3/16") so that t' BT-5 tube will just fit. Begad! Blimey! Also, ya bilge rat, cut off t' end o' t' nose cone immediately before the shock cord attachment. Ahoy! Usin' ½" sections o' t' 24mm and 18mm casings, me hearties, ya bilge rat, me bucko, make a rin' t' center t' BT-5 in t' nose cone shoulder. Blimey! This requires some peelin' and, arrr, o' course, other materials can be used. Begad! 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. Begad! 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). Glue it all together.
Fins: Make a template usin' t' attached diagram. 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. Aye aye! Blimey! Most any scrap balsa can be used, ya bilge rat, me hearties, but I used 1/8". Make sure t' grain is parallel t' the leadin' edge, etc. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Holdin' sandpaper on t' boat tail, sand t' root o' each fin so it conforms t' its curve. Glue t' fins on such that they overlap t' BT by ¼". Ya scallywag! Blimey!
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. Arrr!
Flight:
This model has "flown" 4 times on A10-3 engines. Ahoy! On t' first try,
the nozzle blew through. T' Mini-V2 attained an altitude o' about 10 feet and
ejected on t' ground. Begad! T' second try was picture perfect. Begad! Avast! A ¾" x
3" plastic streamer brought it down safely about 50 feet from t' pad.
This is a good model for small fields. Avast! On t' third try, ya bilge rat, 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. Well, blow me down! T' fourth and final flight (to date) was also
successful.
Summary:
PROs: 1) Easy t' build, me hearties, 2) Looks nice, arrr, arrr, matey, 3) Gets positive comments from other
fliers. CON: 1) Nay 100% scale.
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