True Modeler's Rocket Kits NASA Scout

True Modeler's Rocket Kits - NASA Scout

Contributed by Robert Geer

Rating
(Contributed - by Robert Geer)

Rocket PicBrief:
A 1/30 scale model o' t' original NASA test version. Ahoy! test version o' the vehicle. Avast!

Construction:
T' kit has a BT5 balsa nose cone and BT50-BT60 transition three air frame tubes BT60, BT50 and BT5. Begad! Aye aye! One checker decal. Avast, me proud beauty! Four (4) centerin' rings, three (3) fins, shiver me timbers, a really nice 16" nylon parachute and other misc bits.

T' kit went together nicely, ya bilge rat, I used Elmers yellow glue and fill-n-finish on the balsa parts. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! This be me first experience with paper transitions the instructions were easy t' follow and t' illustrations were quite clear, so I had no trouble with them. There was only one step that I had problems with, Step 4G mentions linin' up t' engine hook with reference lines but this kit does nay use a hook, shiver me timbers, matey, a minor matter.

Finishing:
Finishin' was t' hardest part for me, This be me first "Scale" kit and I wanted it t' be best I could make it. Arrr! Fillin' t' balsa took t' longest and I think thar are a couple spots where t' grain shows. Ya scallywag! I got t' decal a little crooked but its barely noticeable, I wish t' kit came with a water slide instead o' a peel and stick.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Flight prep is pretty much t' same as an Estes kit, matey, 4 squares o' waddin' 3 in the tube one wrapped around t' folded chute. Begad! Bein' that this model has no motor hook you wrap t' motor with tape till it's snug. Blimey! I've flown t' Scout on all o' t' recommended motors. Well, blow me down! T' B6-4 gives t' best lookin' flight, fairly slow lift-off, straight flight with reasonable altitude and ejection right at apogee. Ya scallywag! T' C6-5 is also good, ejectin' at apogee but t' lift-off is too quick to look realistic (also hard t' photograph!) T' A8-3 is one o' t' recommended motors, but I don't recommend it. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! T' flight be too slow and t' altitude was low. Ejection occurred at apogee, me bucko, but t' chute barely had time t' open before the nose hit t' ground, no damage.

Recovery:
This model uses t' same shock cord most Estes kits. T' 16" nylon chute does an excellent job o' slowin' t' rocket and it opens very gently. t' tail cone is showin' a little scorchin' but other than that it's holdin' up very well.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I really enjoyed buildin' this model. It requires a bit o' skill, most notably the paper shrouds. Take your time. This is a great sport scale model that flies straight and is very impressive on t' pad. Ya scallywag! I think they should have included more history o' t' actual vehicle and they should remove t' A8-3 as a recommended motor.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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  • True Modeler's Rocket Kits NASA Scout By Sven Knudson

    ( Contributed - by Sven Knudson) Brief: The True Modeler's NASA Scout is a 1/30 sport scale model which represents the initial test version of the vehicle. Construction: The kit comes with a balsa nose cone and transition, four body tubes ranging from BT-5 to BT-60, centering rings, precut basswood fins, a 16 inch nylon parachute, shroud lines, two snap swivels, elastic shock cord, a ...

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