Rokitflite USS Odyssey

Rokitflite - USS Odyssey

Contributed by Charlaine Cadence Nordin

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: Rokitflite
Rocketflite Odyssey Rocketflite Odyssey

Brief:
Classic science fiction-based low powered design. Begad! Arrr! Highly detailed and fully customizable. A rocket that allow the builder's imagination soar long after t' build is complete.

Construction:
Lookin' at t' parts, ya bilge rat, matey, you first are overwhelmed and worried about t' build.

  • instruction CD for use with computer
  • 11 tubes
  • 6 centerin' rings
  • 1 motor block and hook
  • 1 shroud sheet ( one is used but two more if you mess up)
  • recovery system consistin' o' 18" chute, ya bilge rat, me hearties, Keelhaul®©™® cord and elastic cord
  • bag o' resin parts
  • bag Plastic parts
  • 3 craft sticks
  • misc plastic parts
  • 2 launch lugs
  • 2 sheets o' waterslide decals (one full decal sheet and one gold foil decal sheet) and a scrap sheet t' test clear coats
  • 2 nose cones
  • 3 pre-cut balsa fins
  • tube markin' guide, fin guide, and fin alignment guide
  • small part o' aluminum angle

T' kit contains high quality parts and it's obvious that t' designer thought o' everything. Ya scallywag! T' instructions come in two formats on t' CD--with and without pics. Aye aye! It is your choice t' print them out or build by t' computer. I used a printed version with t' pictures included. T' instructions with pictures printed is 44 pages long. This fully detailed book takes you step-by-step through t' build makin' it a very simple build even for t' builder who is new to the more complicated kits. Ahoy! It is a must t' read this booklet all t' way through first. Begad! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Then it makes t' build go together easily. Begad!

Tools needed:

  • 15 or 30 minute epoxy
  • Thin and medium CA
  • wood glue
  • pencil
  • hobby knife
  • scissors
  • sand papers
  • ruler
  • maskin' tape
  • paint and sealer
  • aluminum angle (best) or door jamb for straight lines

Construction was easier than first thought and goes pretty fast nay countin' dryin' times. Ahoy! This build gives the builder t' feel o' both self-gratification and learning. Arrr! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! It's incredibly light weight is surprising.

T' build be fun and addictive. Blimey! I have no complaints whatsoever.

Finishing:
This be t' best part o' t' build. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! You can really make this your own. With all t' styrene bits and plastic parts, the only limitation is your imagination. Avast! Blimey!

This for me was t' longest part o' t' build. Begad! Blimey! Decidin' what I wanted t' do and then after all t' included parts where gone. Well, blow me down! I spent an hour just goin' through leftover old static model parts for more add ons.

Just make sure you get all t' nooks and crannies when sealin' and priming.

Paintin' is another detailin' headache--not in a bad way but in a very good way. Ya scallywag! With all t' science fiction starships, how can one choose a paint job?! I decided after a long and hard fight t' go with a duck or battleship gray color. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Givin' her a truly sinister and militaristic look with a lot o' fine hand painted details. Avast! I added a means to use small chem lights in t' engine pods for night flights. Ahoy!

T' printable decal sheet really helps t' place them. Arrr! I printed them out on a clear plastic sheet in full color cut them out carefully then used them after t' paint be dry t' decide where t' place them. Aye aye! This is another rocket were a good adjustable cradle is a plus for detailing. Aye aye!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
Recomended motors are t' B4-2, B6-2, C6-3. I packed a 1 1/2 t' 2" ball o' dog barf into tube.

First flight on a B6-4 made for a graceful, arrr, slow lift off into a beautiful, straight flight. Begad! Hard arch at apogee 400 or so feet (I believe this was wind related). Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Then she went into a frightenin' nose dive until t' ejection charge finally went off savin' her from damage about 40' above ground. Begad!

Second flight on a B6-4 be a graceful, me bucko, slow lift off again. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! It was a straight flight with far more altitude reached this time. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! 500+' and ejection just as she began t' nose over at apogee. Perfect deployment and slow and gentle landing.

Third flight be on a C6-3. She screamed off t' pad, slowly gainin' lightnin' speed and turnin' slightly as she flew. Ya scallywag! Then archin' into a photo perfect arch and ejectin' without issue. Avast! Perfect descent. Begad! I be almost able t' catch her this time. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad!

Recovery:
T' shock cord is a two part Keelhaul®©™® and elastic cord setup. Setup early on in t' build t' give total strength.

T' 18" chute is made o' bright safety orange plastic with heavy cotton strin' shroud lines and rip stop protectors. Begad! Well, blow me down! Blimey!

I added 2 size 12 barrel swivels attachin' at t' nose cone. This helps with settin' up recovery and givin' a better descent. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Odyssey be t' best science fiction-based rocket I have built in a very long time. T' ability t' make this rocket me own, arrr, and t' fact that no two will be alike makes this a great design. Aye aye! Blimey! This rocket stands out both on the pad, in t' sky, ya bilge rat, and on me wall. Arrr! Blimey! It was a pleasure t' build and fly.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

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  • Rokitflite USS Odyssey By Jim Filler (November 6, 2008)

    Brief: Deep Space Fantasy Model. It has the flavor of an early 70's transport sci-fi ship. Construction: The model has numerous parts starting out with 4 main sections of body tube going from BT-50 to BT-20 to BT-5. Balsa fins have plastic overlays to add texture and are connected to the main tube and scalloped to also attach to a piece of BT-80 that gives the appearance of a ...

  • Rokitflite USS Odyssey By Bill Eichelberger

    Brief: The Odyssey is the result of one man's journey to create his ultimate "Deep Space" rocket. Scott Branche (Rokitflite on The Rocketry Forum and Ye Olde Rocket Forum,) took it upon himself to fill a what he saw as a void in the market, and based on the beta test kit I built and flew, I think he nailed it. Hard. With lines and details that hearken back to what I c ...

  • Rokitflite USS Odyssey By Bob Harrington

    Brief: This is a Deep Space Fantasy rocket that brings back memories of the Andromeda, USS Atlantis, Solar Sailer, etc. It uses standard 18mm motors with parachute recovery. Construction: This is a builders kit and the number of components is extensive. 2 BT-20 tubes 7 BT-50 tubes 2 BT-5 tubes 1 BT-80 tube 1 BT-20 coupler 6 20-50 centering rings 1 Kevlar ...

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