Scratch 6-C Cluster Altitude Rocket Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - 6-C Cluster Altitude Rocket {Scratch}

Contributed by Bob Hvarven

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Bob Hvarven)

Rocket PicBrief:
A 6 "C" engine cluster altitude rocket from t' May/June Issue of Sport Rocketry Magazine. Blimey! Found on page 26, shiver me timbers, titled "6-C Cluster Altitude (Competition Rocketry)" By Dan Wolf.

Construction:
This is a very easy rocket t' build from scratch. Aye aye! T' alignment o' t' side tubes is best accomplished usin' a line drawn on body tube for a guide. Ahoy! The fins just need t' be centered on t' five side tubes and straight as any rocket fin should be. Avast! T' body tube, because o' it's small diameter and length is prone t' bendin' durin' a hard landing. No special tools needed. Arrr! I Used scrap 1/8 balsa for fins, matey, ya bilge rat, me bucko, and some Estes BT 20 tube I already had layin' around. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I had t' purchase some PNC 20 nose cones (short ones) as five are required for the side tubes; I already had a regular PNC 20 for t' nose.

Flight:
T' recommended motors are 6 o' t' C6-7's. Begad! I used this combination on me first flight. Ya scallywag! Normal preparations are used, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, i.e. waddin' in body tube, careful foldin' o' parachute, arrr, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, etc. Begad! T' motor tubes have no retention other than a tight fit. Aye aye! Tape around motors as needed t' insure a tight fit. Avast, me proud beauty!

T' flight be straight as an arrow, with no spinnin' or wobble. Begad! T' large smoke trail was beautiful as be t' flames from t' 6 engines. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag!

Rocket PicA "Clip Whip" or a special set of soldered igniters is needed t' ignite all engines at once. Begad! I made a special set of igniters soldered together. Begad! (worked perfectly)

I used a 1/8" elastic shock cord approx. 3 times t' body length for the recovery. Begad! T' 7 sec. Blimey! delay is nay long enough t' get t' most out o' this rocket. Begad! It is still goin' up when t' ejection occurs. Aye aye! T' article discusses this, ya bilge rat, me hearties, and an alternate method is t' use a composite C10-10 for t' center (body tube) engine for a longer delay before ejection. This also has draw-backs mentioned in t' article.

Summary:
This is a specialty rocket for sure. Begad! It is a blast t' launch and is very impressive. Blimey! It is an attention-getter by looks and flight performance. T' 6 "C" motors give you approx. Ahoy! a F36 power range launch. Well, blow me down! This is a bunch for such a light rocket and t' performance shows it. It is a bit o' a chore to prep, ya bilge rat, and really doesn't lend itself t' multiple launches durin' t' day, unless a good reliable "Clip Whip" is employed. Begad! T' body tube is prone t' damage if recovery isn't exactly smooth.

comment Post a Comment