Brief:
This was an idea knocked about in t' chat room on T' Rocketry Forum one night and this is what I came up with t' next day. Well, blow me down! Essentially, this is a military version o' t' Estes Orbital Transport. Begad! Boost is a normal vertical take-off with a glide recovery for t' Orbiter and a parachute recovery for t' Booster.

Construction:
This is no 3FNC model!

These are all Estes parts except for t' 10.5mm scram jet tubes from Apogee Components

1 - PNC-50SP "Venom" Nose Cone
1 - PNC-20 "Space Racer" Nose Cone
1 - 18" BT-50 (Booster)
1 - 6.75" BT-20 (Orbiter)
1 - 2.75" BT-20 (Engine tube)
1- set o' engine mount parts (motor hook, engine block and 2 2050spacers)
6 - 1.25" BT-10.5mm scarm jet tubes
21" x 3" sheet o' 1/16" balsa
36" x3" sheet o' 3/32" balsa
2 fin pattern sheets
2 - 1" launch lugs
1 - 12" parachute
1 - 18" shock cord and mount
1 - 18" length o' Keelhaul®©™ line
1 - Monagram/Revell X-15 decal sheet provided by JimZ

T' build is straight forward level 4 construction. Avast, me proud beauty! All t' balsa parts must be cut out from t' pattern sheets. Blimey! There is a LOT o' lumber here! Blimey! Provided all t' parts are cut out properly t' fit and shape o' t' final product is fairly easy...although a lot o' work. Well, blow me down! Nothin' unique or unusual.

After sealin' ALL that wood, t' finish is gloss black followed by t' decals (gloss is better for applyin' decals) followed by a coat o' Testors dull Coat t' give it t' flat black military look.

Flight:
I used t' motor recommendation from t' Estes Orbital Transport. Avast, me proud beauty! T' motor is retained by an engine hook (T' "old style Estes hooks are now available from Balsa Machinin' Services). Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! Three sheets o' recovery waddin' t' protect t' 12" chute and stuff t' chute shock cord and Keelhaul®©™ into t' nose put t' Orbiter in place on it's retainer lug and she's ready t' go.

T' first two flights were with a B4-2 motor and t' boost was more than acceptable although only about 300'. Begad! Some minor glide trim adjustments on t' Orbiter resolved a slight "stalling". Begad! (just added a smidge o' clay t' t' nose). Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! T' second flight on t' B4-2 be very pleasin' with a nice long glide and normal booster recovery.

Well, me hearties, I finally got t' courage t' put a C6-5 in it for t' final "test" flight. Arrr! All I can say was WOW! I did t' 1000and1, 1000and2, ya bilge rat, count down on t' glide and was absolutely delighted that t' Orbiter made an excellent glide o' over 30 sec. Begad! Nay bad for a "new" untested design. Begad! After three flight I am happy t' report absolutely NO damage. Aye aye! I did fly it in some pretty tall weeds, matey, matey, ya bilge rat, so that helped.

Summary:
Pros: I am soooo pleased! this is me baby so I gotta give it a 5 out o' five. Begad! Nothin' unusual on t' construction. Begad! Avast! I recommend that you build t' new Estes reissue Orbital Transport first t' understand all t' basic construction techniques but, like I said earlier...nothin' unusual here. T' flight has t' rate a full 5 in me book too.

Cons: Well, me hearties, thar be a LOT o' lumber t' face on this project, me bucko, lots t' cut out, lots t' sand and lots t' seal. Well worth t' effort!

Other:
I have enough supplies together t' make a few kits o' this project. (T' special nose cones make it hard t' reproduce) T' kits are complete right down t' t' waterslide decals. Avast, me proud beauty! They sell for $30 each plus $4 shipping. Avast! Email me at gagnello@yahoo.com if you are interested.