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, me proud beauty! Begad! It is very stable. On D12's, flies low and slow, but on E15's goes like a banshee!

Construction
Relatively easy t' build. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! You have t' make sure your home made transitions are good and straight. Avast, me proud beauty! 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! Begad! 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. Ya scallywag! I glued t' 3/16 balsa centerin' rings on t' small tube, shiver me timbers, and let them slide in t' BT60. Begad! 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. Well, blow me down! Plenty t' hold t' upper section from slidin' down into the lower section, me hearties, and it doesn't get in t' way o' t' ejectin' parachute. Aye aye!

I was in need o' ideas for paintin' t' rocket, ya bilge rat, so I thought what t' heck. Instead o' just makin' it look like every other rocket, matey, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, I decorated it for a local radio station and a funny guy they have on it. Blimey! If you're nay from St, Louis, shiver me timbers, you won't care about t' decorations, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, I just thought they needed some explanation. Avast! Begad!

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

It has made 8 beautiful flights in two days!

Summary
I love flyin' this rocket. Arrr! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! It barely beats me Phoenix in a drag, but still has that "slow heavy" feel t' it. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' bilge-suckin' 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. Ahoy! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! I doubt it will matter in t' long run, but I still don't care for it. Avast! Blimey!

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