Brief:

This model was built t' enter t' EMRR Spaceship Design Contest. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! Usin' a BT-60, arrr, an 18mm engine mount, shiver me timbers, and four BT-5s for t' outboard nacelles t' only obstacles left was t' rounded aft section and t' small cones on t' nacelles. Crayola’s Model Magic turned out t' be just what was needed.

Characteristics:

• Height: 9.8 inches Width: 3.8 inches Weight (without engine): 2.25oz
• Motor Mount: 18mm (single) Recovery: 12 inch Parachute

CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE Arakska - 1 Characteristics Height: 9.8" Width: 3.8" 18mm Motor Mount 12" Chute 2.25 oz empty

Construction:

T' followin' are t' major components used:

Narrative:

Since t' only source document was t' photograph, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, t' measurements are all relative. Begad! Since I was only goin' t' use a single 18mm motor, arrr, me nacelles could be constructed out o' BT-5 (3.9"/10cm). For t' nose cone I used a PNC-B60 which be t' same one used in t' Big Bertha rocket by Estes. Arrr! Avast! I began with determinin' t' length o' t' rocket based on t' width o' t' BT-60 body tube (7.5"/19cm).

T' engine mount is a typical 18mm mount usin' an engine block, me bucko, engine hook, Mylar ring, and cardboard centerin' rings. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' forward centerin' rin' was placed at t' edge and t' aft rin' about 1" from t' edge.

Before insertin' t' engine mount I decided t' create t' curved base portion o' t' rocket. Aye aye! Usin' Crayola’s Model Magic, I formed t' rocket base and t' nose cones for t' nacelles. Arrr!

This material is very light weight and easy t' work with. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Once dried, it holds it shape very well and is paintable. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I allowed me base and cones t' dry and cut them t' size. T' image t' t' right shows both t' engine mount and aft cone together in t' body tube.

I also use Crayola’s Model Magic t' create t' side pods for the forward portion o' t' rocket. Arrr! Usin' Plaster o' Paris, ya bilge rat, I created molds which I forced t' model magic into. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! Gettin' t' model magic back out o' t' molds without damage, proved t' be very challenging. Avast! Once dry they were trimmed and glued t' t' rocket usin' white glue.

Now for t' nacelles; usin' 3.9" o' BT-5 and model magic nose cones I needed t' create t' supports. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' supports are cut out o' 1/16" balsa. T' radius on t' aft support was based on t' finished curve o' t' main body’s aft cone. Begad! Ahoy!

I began gluin' t' supports t' t' nacelles first. Ahoy! With two pieces o' long scrap balsa, clamped both supports with a binder clip, me bucko, and then glued them to the nacelles. I balanced t' nacelle on a piece o' modelers’ clay t' keep it from fallin' over.

I made 24-1/8" slits t' top o' t' body tube and bent down every other tab t' simulate t' open bay doors in t' photograph. Placin' a couplin' ring inside t' tube helped keep t' shape o' t' tube while cutting. Arrr! Begad! A coat of black paint on t' bottom o' t' nose cone helps create t' illusion o' open doors. Blimey!

After a coat o' sandable gray primer, me bucko, I began markin' for fin placement and paint rings.

With t' fins on and t' small pods, ya bilge rat, I decided t' conduct a swin' test. I ended up placin' 0.3 oz o' clay into t' nose cone. Ya scallywag!

After a coat o' florescent orange paint t' t' body, me hearties, me hearties, it was ready for its first launch. Digital cameras never seem t' catch t' right moment.

On a hot (96¡ F) summer day with a light breeze (2-4 mph), Arakska-1 lifts off. Ya scallywag! Usin' a B6-4 for first flight, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, Arakska-1 reached approximately 300ft and landed 80ft down range. Avast!

Launch two was durin' a group launch. Aye aye! I used a B6-4 again and achieved the same results. No photos were taken o' t' launch that day. I was t' Safety Officer and had a lot o' kids t' keep an eye on. Ya scallywag! Ahoy!

Now in its full paint and glory it’s time for t' third launch. Metallic silver and hammered metal paint complete t' paint scheme. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' orange areas were taped off before applyin' t' silver paint.

For t' third launch, me hearties, I have loaded a C6-4 engine, wadding, arrr, and 12" chute. Usin' me homemade tower and controller 3-2-1 LAUNCH!

With t' higher winds, shiver me timbers, I tilted t' launch rod into t' wind about 20 degrees. T' launch went well, me bucko, ya bilge rat, on t' way up t' rocket had a slight corkscrew effect. Begad! Apogee was close to 500 feet. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! Ejection was just after apogee and t' rocket landed about 100 ft from t' launch site on asphalt. Aye aye! A small dent on t' lower end o' one o' the nacelle, everythin' else was fine. Avast, me proud beauty!

I planned t' make a larger version o' this rocket usin' four engines, shiver me timbers, but the rules state only one rocket per design. Aye aye! Blimey! I might try loadin' ½ A's in the nacelles I have and still keep an 18 MM in t' center. Blimey! That will be a later day. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Now it's time t' try and build one o' t' other rockets. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye!