Brief:
My Mini-V2 is a semi-scale model based on BT-50 tubing. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. Blimey!

Construction:
Materials used:

1. Two PNC-50 nose cones (2.75" long), one is used for t' tail cone
2. BT-50 (4")
3. BT-5 (~2 ¼")
4. Used engine casings for centerin' rin' (24mm, shiver me timbers, 18mm)
5. 1/8" balsa fin stock
6. Motor hook for mini motors
7. 1/8" wide elastic shock cord
8. Plastic streamer
9. Launch lug
10. Clay for nose weight

Construction o' most o' t' rocket is pretty basic, ya bilge rat, and needs no elaboration. I used yellow glue for t' paper-paper joints and epoxy for the paper-plastic joints. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! Blimey!

Tail cone assembly: Insert t' tip o' one cone into t' BT-5 tubing and mark. Blimey! Cut t' end o' t' cone off (~1 3/16") so that t' BT-5 tube will just fit. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! Also, cut off t' end o' t' nose cone immediately before the shock cord attachment. Arrr! Ahoy! Usin' ½" sections o' t' 24mm and 18mm casings, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, make a rin' t' center t' BT-5 in t' nose cone shoulder. This requires some peelin' and, 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. Well, blow me down! 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). Blimey! Blimey! Glue it all together.

Fins: Make a template usin' t' attached diagram. Ya scallywag! 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! Most any scrap balsa can be used, me bucko, me hearties, but I used 1/8". Blimey! Make sure t' grain is parallel t' the leadin' edge, etc. Begad! Aye aye! Holdin' sandpaper on t' boat tail, 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". Ya scallywag!

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. Aye aye!

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. Avast! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! T' second try was picture perfect. 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! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! On t' third try, arrr, t' 1/4" lug bound on t' 3/16" launch rod and t' V2 stuck there. Avast! Blimey! Suggestion: use a lug for a standard rod. T' fourth and final flight (to date) was also successful. Aye aye! Blimey!

Summary:
PROs: 1) Easy t' build, 2) Looks nice, 3) Gets positive comments from other fliers. Ya scallywag! CON: 1) Nay 100% scale.