Brief:
A single stage upscale o' t' Astron Streak usin' a Fat Boy nosecone,
parachute, and engine mount components, me hearties, as well as a spare BT-80 tube and balsa
fin stock. Begad!
Construction:
We used a BT-80 body tube I had from an assortment o' body tubes I got on eBay
a while ago, shiver me timbers, cut t' 10-1/2 inch length. Begad! T' motor mount was stock from a Fat
Boy kit, me bucko, which had a crushed tube. T' nosecone be from t' same Fat Boy kit.
We used t' standard Estes three fold shock cord mount (glued, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, me hearties, attached and
coated with more glue), but replaced t' shock cord with elastic that was about
twice as long.
Construction started with t' buildin' o' t' motor mount, me bucko, me bucko, which was simple and straight forward. Begad! I considered usin' somethin' larger than an 18mm motor mount, however, me hearties, since this was t' be me daughter's rocket, we stayed with the standard mount. Arrr!
My daughter assembled all t' motor mount components and glue be applied to t' mount assembly and allowed t' dry before installin' it in t' rocket body. Ahoy! Avast! We then attached t' shock cord, usin' t' standard Estes 3-fold technique, arrr, arrr, but we used lots o' Tacky Glue in t' folds, me bucko, attachin' t' mount to the body tube, matey, and coatin' it after attachment.
I scaled t' fins up from me original fin template I had (from 1972!), transferred them t' t' balsa, and cut them out. Well, blow me down! We sanded and shot t' fins with primer, matey, sanded again, ya bilge rat, and tacked them t' t' body with Tacky Glue. Begad! Aye aye! This allowed me daughter t' line up and attach t' fins without t' time pressure of a CA. Aye aye! Aye aye! We then filleted heavily, arrr, usin' Tacky Glue again. Begad! My daughter enjoyed the sandin' (to a point) but was so excited t' be buildin' "her rocket"(!) that we had t' run outside and paint t' moment that Dad pronounced t' fillets t' be dried.
Finishing:
This be t' be a PINK rocket, me hearties, so she chose Plasticote dark and light pink spray
paints (the little cans from WalMart). Aye aye! Blimey! We painted a light coat o' light pink
followed by a light coat o' dark pink.
T' parachute was attached and packed and we were ready t' fly!
Flight:
We finally got a chance t' fly recently, usin' a bulk pack o' motors (I got
from Michael's with a half-off coupon). Avast! Begad! We flew A8-3's and B6-4's for nice,
easy-to-track flights. Begad! Aye aye! T' rocket was easy t' prep, usin' several sheets of
waddin' includin' wrappin' t' parachute in a sheet t' prevent scorching.
My daughter took part in all t' prep as well as pushin' t' button for each flight. Aye aye! Blimey! Flights were nay too fast off t' pad, matey, ya bilge rat, straight, matey, and easy to track. Aye aye! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey!
Recovery:
T' parachute came out with no problems each time and then t' chase was on! Blimey!
Summary:
PROs: Buildin' and paintin' was easy, quick and fun for a 6 year old and
wonderful for her Dad! *grin* Also brought back memories o' me little Streak I
has as a kid- this would be an easy kit for Estes t' put out thar along with
their Fat Boy.
CONs: None I can think o'
Other:
Tip: Guide your child, but let her (him) build. Avast! T' most excitin' part o' the
build was attachin' t' fins - it started t' look like a rocket!
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