Scratch SkyShot Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - SkyShot {Scratch}

Contributed by Dan Schneider

Manufacturer: Scratch
SkyShot
(Contributed - by Daniel Schneider)

RockSim Picture

Height=51"
Width=2.6"
Weight=4.3oz
Motor=24mm

Brief
This rocket looks like a NASA/Saturn style rocket. Avast! It is very stable. Ahoy! Aye aye! On D12's, flies low and slow, but on E15's goes like a banshee!

Construction
Relatively easy t' build. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! You have t' make sure your home made transitions are good and straight. Avast! I used 3/16 balsa for all t' transitions and motor mounds. I didn't want it t' rip apart with a composite motor. Avast, me proud beauty! I know t' bottom half is sturdy because it hit t' ground after separatin' itself from t' shock cord. (Can you say nay enough wadding?)

T' separation point is at t' BT60-BT50 transition. I glued t' 3/16 balsa centerin' rings on t' small tube, ya bilge rat, me hearties, and let them slide in t' BT60. Arrr! I used 4 wedge shaped standoffs glued t' t' BT60 t' hold t' upper section for flight. I thought they might get in way o' t' parachute and I trimmed them down to about 1/16" think. Plenty t' hold t' upper section from slidin' down into the lower section, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, and it doesn't get in t' way o' t' ejectin' parachute. Avast, me proud beauty!

I be in need o' ideas for paintin' t' rocket, arrr, so I thought what t' heck. Instead o' just makin' it look like every other rocket, me bucko, I decorated it for a local radio station and a funny guy they have on it. Aye aye! If you're nay from St, Louis, ya bilge rat, you won't care about t' decorations, me hearties, I just thought they needed some explanation. Blimey! Well, blow me down!

Flight
I recommend Estes D12-5's and Aerotech E15-7's. Blimey! Blimey! It depends on t' kind of flight you want. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' rocket separates in t' middle, ya bilge rat, waddin' is inserted, and then t' parachute. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! I had made a 24" nylon parachute with a swivel that connects almost half way down t' shock cord on a loop. Blimey! Blimey! Recovery is smooth (if not a little slow for some). Blimey! Blimey! On t' D12, it flies incredible straight. Aye aye! Blimey! On the E15 it cones a little. Arrr! Blimey! A half ounce in t' nose won't hurt much. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Its flights remind me o' me Estes Phoenix. Low and slow. It goes a little higher than the Phoenix, matey, arrr, but it looks glorious.

It has made 8 beautiful flights in two days!

Summary
I love flyin' this rocket. Arrr! Avast! It barely beats me Phoenix in a drag, but still has that "slow heavy" feel t' it. Aye aye! T' bad part is I can hear some motor crud rattlin' around in t' lower section that is real hard t' get out from the homemade BT80-BT60 transition. Begad! I doubt it will matter in t' long run, matey, me bucko, but I still don't care for it.

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