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Contributed by Brian Ray
(Contributed - by Brian Ray - 01/16/09)
 Brief:
This modification was my own personal response to what I had seen as an all-too-common statement on model rocket
forums: add nose weight. It seemed to me that no matter the situation, the clarion call was for more and more nose
weight. "Hey, I painted this rocket blue instead of yellow." "You better add some nose weight."
While not usually a kit builder, I found this kit on clearance and decided to prove my point (to myself, of course).
Modifications:
The build was straightforward once I created the centering rings. I did so in MS Publisher after having measured the
inside diameter of the body tube. I printed the rings and glued them to cereal-box-weight cardboard. Engine retention
is friction fit. The other significant modification was using a streamer instead of the parachute--I knew it was going
high and I didn't want it floating away.
I opted to change the finish slightly as well. Having lived in Brazil for a few years, I couldn't bear to put the
Argentine flag on anything. I printed my own Brazil flag decal, painted the fins Brazil's colors, and renamed it the
Vaqueiro (Portuguese for 'cowboy').
Construction:
I used:
- 1 Estes Gauchito kit
- 1 BT-20, 2.75"
- 1 BT-20 engine block
- 1 set of centering rings
- 2 streamers
Flight and Recovery:
This rocket has flown twice, both times on a C6-5. As I predicted, each flight was excellent; very straight and very
high. Recovery has been just a tad rough--it came down very quickly under the streamer and popped a fin each time. It
was easily repaired, however.
Summary:
This was a fun little rocket to build and fly. It really moves fast off the pad and flies really high, if you like
that in your rockets. While I understand that some designs do necessitate nose weight, this example shows that it's not
always needed. I really don't think this mod has any cons. For some, however, making your own centering rings or
adapting the ones that came with the kit may not be something they want to do. Also, some may not enjoy the potential
walk that comes with recovering a rocket that flies as high as this one. I for one, like the altitude and can use the
exercise. And if I stumble on another one of these kits I am going to modify it for 24mm engines. Flight LogComments: - Post a Comment -
eBay Offers: ESTES 1278 GAUCHITO SCALE KIT, ANSARI X PRIZE, OOP, NEW
>>> Product Details >>>
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B.A. (March 8, 2006)