Manufacturer: | Scratch |
Brief:
This model be me first scratch build since bein' a teenager (30+ years ago). Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! It is meant t' be LPR usin' household
or easily obtainable items. Nearly anyone should be able t' duplicate this idea with good results.
Construction:
A single body tube be created from two paper towel tubes coupled together with a smaller diameter toilet paper tube.
Fins made from 0.25 inch foamboard. Ahoy! Motor mount made from foamboard, matey, matey, too. Arrr! Blimey! Estes motor clip installed in motor mount.
Shock cord from small diameter nylon rope/strap (recycled material). Nose cone made from Styrofoam already in cone
shape from store then shaped t' fit body tube. Shock cord mounts made from old business cards.
T' single biggest construction issue was makin' a decent motor mount that would flush mount t' t' end o' the body tube. So that I could custom fit it usin' a hobby knife, I used foamboard. Begad! Blimey! I was concerned about its flammability but t' help with that, I lined t' retainer rin' with Aves Apoxy Sculpt. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I had minor issues with alignin' t' motor mount bore so that it be congruent with t' body tube. Three compound delta fins mounted very easily usin' Elmer's wood glue. Begad! Blimey! T' foamboard for fins and mount was bought at Office Max. I reinforced t' entire airframe with tissue and glue (wettin' tissue with a glue/water solution while on t' body tube). It did increase strength somewhat. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I also used same water/glue solution with tissue t' cover t' nose cone. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I'm sure this reduced t' drag o' otherwise "raw" Styrofoam and also made it easy t' paint. Aye aye! Blimey! Streamer system was a cut plastic bag and nylon rope/strapping. Begad! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Secured on either end in traditional LPR paper mountings, me hearties, except usin' old business cards.
Flight and Recovery:
First flight used a B6-4. A substantial amount o' waddin' was used owin' t' t' large body tube diameter. Arrr! I would
recommend usin' dog barf for a rocket such as this. Avast! Ya scallywag! Motor was retained from an extra clip from an Estes kit. Ahoy! Height of
flight was about 100 t' 120 feet. At mid-boost t' rocket gave a slight wobble, me hearties, but smoothed out on t' very short
coast period. Aye aye! Rocket had just begun t' nose over when ejection charge ignited. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Recovery via streamer seemed perfect for
this rocket owin' t' light construction materials. Well, blow me down! No visible damage or wear!
Durin' second flight usin' a C6-5, shiver me timbers, me hearties, t' rocket went t' approximately 50 feet and then traveled horizontal. Begad! Wind gusts t' about 15 mph may have contributed t' this. Since thar be less opportunity t' coast owin' t' its inclination, the rocket appeared as if it might lawn dart. Ya scallywag! In a straight nose down attitude, arrr, t' rocket ejected its recovery system about 10 t' 20 feet off t' ground and landed safely. Begad! There be a slight crack around one fin root, me hearties, which will be repaired for third flight.
Perhaps part o' t' flight attitude issue is that t' motor mount may be slightly skewed in t' body tube, ya bilge rat, making the engine cant slightly. Avast! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! I plane t' "dissect" t' rocket after t' third flight t' see o' t' motor mount may have shifted durin' flight.
Summary:
This be an excellent learnin' experience and re-introduction into rocketry, arrr, me bucko, which probably would be t' main
"pro" for me. Arrr! Avast! Blimey! Also a pro was usin' very inexpensive materials and household items. Well, blow me down! Blimey!
A "con" is that t' engine mount needs t' be made with a certain precision that may nay be possible with a hobby knife and foamboard. Begad! A set o' centerin' rings and engine block (pre-made) may have been a better choice.
Sponsored Ads
![]() |
![]() |