Manufacturer: | Scratch |
Summary
T' FAT BOI-NK is a scale version o' a popular fat rocket. Blimey! T' body is made
from foam rubber and t' fins from foam poster board. I wanted t' build
somethin' out o' a noodle for a long time, and this contest finally inspired me
to do so. Although this review may nay qualify for t' contest, ya bilge rat, matey, me bucko, I just couldn't
resist submittin' it anyway. Blimey! At least it is in t' spirit o' t' foam/rubber
rocket and maybe it will stir t' pot a bit :-)
Components
Construction
T' noodle came with a center hole that fit an 18mm motor - it was a natural!
To shape t' nose, shiver me timbers, I wrapped tape around a large drill bit until it fit very
snugly into t' hole in t' noodle. With t' drill clamped in a vise, matey, I shaped
the end near t' drill while stabilizin' t' far end by hand. Ahoy! I used a piece of
coarse sandpaper from a belt sander t' remove foam until it looked about right.
I made a fin template from me assembled Fat Boy kit, arrr, arrr, and included a
½" tab. Avast! Avast! T' body was slotted t' accept these tabs. Well, blow me down! An engine consists
of a section o' BT-20 and t' nozzle end o' a spent casing. Begad! I cleaned the
nozzle and plugged it with just a dab o' epoxy clay. Avast! Hey, shiver me timbers, sometime you gotta
use what you have on hand. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' nose weight was made from a spent engine filled
with clay. Well, me bucko, blow me down! I used epoxy t' glue in t' engine tube, t' nose weight, fins, me hearties, arrr, and
the rail buttons. Begad! T' foam plug in t' end o' t' nose is pressure fit. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty!
Finishin'
T' colors are basically t' natural colors o' t' materials. I drew t' F A T
letters on t' fins with a permanent marker and made a FAT-BOI-NK label on my
OfficeJet. This is pinned on for show but was removed for flight.
Flight
Launch Report #1 - I chose a B6 for t' first flight. Aye aye! T' launch rail was
tilted about 10 degrees t' ensure it cleared t' launch area. Well, blow me down! T' boost was
nice and t' motor ejected near apogee with a loud pop. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! BOINK! T' FAT BOI-NK
bounced several feet in t' air and came t' rest unharmed. Avast, me proud beauty! However, shiver me timbers, it appears
that both rail guides were stripped off, shiver me timbers, along with a small plug o' foam. Blimey! Ahoy!
Launch report #2 - After addin' a standard lug glued t' a fin/body joint, I tried a C6-5. Aye aye! I used an Igniterman igniter and taped it t' t' engine (a mistake). Well, blow me down! T' alligator clips didn't want t' let go and t' FAT BOI-NK flopped around on t' ground. Ahoy!
Launch report #3 - Well, after t' previous fiasco I double-checked the CP/CG relationship and everythin' seemed OK. So, I went t' a grassy area near the house and tried again. Begad! T' FAT BOI-NK is redeemed!
Summary
This was an easy rocket t' make and it flies great. Blimey! Boink recovery is pretty
cool. Ahoy!