Brief:
This Micro Maxx rocket is a semi-scale model o' t' Titan III C Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) mock-up, which included a stretched version o' t' Titan III C topped with a Gemini capsule. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! Although t' actual MOL never was built, shiver me timbers, the mock-up did fly on November 3, arrr, 1966. Begad! Avast! For more info, arrr, see "Rockets o' the World", shiver me timbers, by Peter Alway.

Construction:
After t' success o' me Micro-Viking, ya bilge rat, I decided t' build a second rocket using the tubin' from t' Aerotech First Fire igniters. Ahoy! This model uses one 5 ½" tube for t' main airframe and two 2 ½" sections for the strap-on boosters. Ya scallywag! T' nose cones were all turned from 3/8" dowels. Ya scallywag! Arrr! I was not terribly careful with t' dimensions but t' overall look o' t' rocket is about right. Aye aye! I used Estes launch lugs for t' side pods and thin packaging plastic for t' fins. Blimey!

T' recovery system includes a section o' thin Keelhaul®©™® twine and as much streamer material as I can stuff in (to be installed at launch). Blimey! Ya scallywag!

I used a small hook-eye on t' nose cone because I was afraid some extra weight might be required. Avast, me proud beauty! T' CG o' t' finished model is 4.125 inches from the tip o' t' nose. Ahoy!

I used a mix o' glues - carpenter's glue for t' wraps and boosters, me bucko, thick CA for t' clear fins, me hearties, arrr, and Liquid Nails for t' side pods. I also used some Liquid Nails on one fin, which for some reason refused t' be bonded with CA. This was odd since t' other three fins adhered just fine.

I painted t' capsule black, the booster cones silver, me hearties, and t' side pods red. Begad! T' tubes are covered with paper wraps that I printed on me Inkjet. Again, I did nay try t' be too detailed; for instance, shiver me timbers, I increased t' size o' Air Force emblem and text to make them more visible. Avast! Blimey! Before cuttin' out t' wraps, ya bilge rat, I shot on a coat of Krylon clear polyurethane spray t' try t' help prevent smudging. Arrr! From a distance, t' finished product looks good (my opinion o' course!) but up close, there are a few smudges, wrinkles, etc. With some practice, ya bilge rat, however, I think this technique will work fine on small models. Well, blow me down! Prior t' launch, arrr, I also added American flag stickers t' t' clear fins (after t' photos were taken). My new launch policy is t' have at least one flag displayed on every rocket I fly!

Flight:
T' engine is meant t' overhang t' t' bottom o' t' fins and is held in place with maskin' tape. Aye aye! I flew t' rocket twice on t' new MMX motors. T' flights were stable and fairly low. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! I forgot t' streamer stock so I decided t' fly with only nose cone separation. Well, blow me down! It survived t' first flight just fine, matey, but one fin broke off on t' second flight. Begad! This was nay a big surprise since the rocket is relatively heavy and comes down fast. Blimey! I will try a streamer next time.

Summary:
Despite a few finishin' flaws, me bucko, I am quite pleased with this rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! The materials and techniques I used worked well, and t' resultin' rocket looks nice and flies fine.