Scratch Give 'Em The Finger Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Give 'Em The Finger {Scratch}

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Manufacturer: Scratch

Give 'em the finger rocketBrief
This is made from a 'Finger Blaster' foam rocket and was t' 4th-place winner in t' Boink rocket contest.

Construction
Initially, matey, I decided that I was nay goin' t' buy a foam rocket t' enter t' Boink rocket contest. Avast! However, at only 99 cents, me bucko, I just couldn't resist pickin' up a 'Finger Blaster' (by Kidpower, Inc). This foam rocket has a built-in rubber band and is launched, ya bilge rat, at t' name implies, by hookin' it onto your finger, pullin' it back, and lettin' her rip. Blimey! T' aft end conveniently had an 17.Xmm hole and a rigid stop where t' back end o' t' rubber band is attached. I decided t' make this entry a bit more complicated, arrr, so I constructed a aft ejection streamer assembly with an outer 18mm tube and an inner 13mm motor tube. Begad! This assembly be friction fit into t' rocket's back-end. T' streamer is nay shown in t' photo's, me hearties, ya bilge rat, but is packed betwixt t' 13mm and 18mm tubes.

After tryin' t' simulate t' rocket on RockSim, shiver me timbers, matey, me hearties, I decided some nose weight was required. Well, blow me down! After some head-scratching, I used one o' those lead fishin' weights that connects by feedin' in t' line and twistin' t' rubber ends. Blimey! Well, I removed that rubber piece, extended t' rubber band on t' rocket, arrr, put t' weight on, me bucko, and let t' rubber band contract. Well, blow me down! T' weight retracted into t' rocket and appeared t' be solidly connected t' t' rubber band. Other than t' launch lug that I glued on, no permanent modifications were made t' this rocket!

Recovery systemWeight shown in place

Flight
My first flight was t' be on an A10-0, just t' verify stability. Blimey! It boosted straight up and as a bonus t' streamer assembly drag separated. Begad! Aye aye! T' streamer is short and only slowed t' rocket slightly, me bucko, so it still landed with a nice boink. Aye aye! Avast! I actually liked t' drag separation, so me second flight was also on an A10-0.

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