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Contributed by Kim Durose
(Contributed - by Kim Durose - 09/10/03) Brief:
Very easy to assemble starter kit. Took me under an hour to build the base
model, but I then spent time ensuring it's longevity.
Construction:
Kraft airframe and motor tube, plastic motor mount and nose cone. The
through-the-wall shock cord mount is a great idea to maximize internal space
(How many of you have had their recovery system snag on a shock-cord mount? I
know I have!). Molded plastic fins and totally inadequate 3mm elastic shock
cord.
Instructions were clear and concise, however, there is no mention of what to
do with the lump of modelling clay that comes in the box. Obviously, it's to
weight the nose, but it would be nice to be told so.
A joy to build, everything fits "spot on", but the motor is
rather too snug in the motor mount. A quick reaming job with some coarse
sandpaper does the trick.
I have strengthened the shock cord loop on the nosecone with 0.9mm brass
rod and epoxy, as the little plastic loop doesn't look particularly strong to
me.
Finishing:
I sprayed mine fluorescent pink to make it easier to track. However, I still
managed to lose sight of it when flown for the first time on a C6-7.
I didn't use the decals at all.
Construction Rating:
4
out of 5
Flight:
First flight was on a B6-4. Flew beautifully straight, but not particularly
high. I have ditched the Estes parachute in favor of a 3" x 30" mylar
streamer. This rocket is so light it shouldn't get damaged if you launch it
from a grass field...or so I thought.
Second and third flights were on C6-7 motors. This rocket REALLY soars on
these! In fact I lost sight of it on the last flight. I'd given up hope of
finding it, but stumbled across it accidentally while skulking off back to the
car!
Recovery:
I would recommend you discard the supplied 3mm elastic shock cord as it is far
too weedy. My Astrocam went AWOL twice as a result of using this stuff. I
replaced mine with 6mm boilproof elastic (soon to be replaced with Kevlar®
cord). If you do use 6mm elastic, you will have to cut a small notch in the top
of the external shock-cord shroud to make it easier to thread the elastic into
the airframe. TIP: After tying the knot in the elastic to prevent it being
pulled through into the airframe, give it a coat of Rapid Epoxy to prevent it
coming undone.
One of the fins has come unstuck but apart from that she has flown three
times and remains unscathed. The mylar streamer needs replacing as it has got
scorched. The Estes parachute would more than likely have been destroyed on the
first flight.
All flights used three squares of wadding and a "fireproof bag"
for the shock cord/streamer (made of a square of wadding taped into a loose
"sock").
Flight Rating:
4
out of 5
Summary:
A superb and inexpensive starter kit.
PROs: Cheap and easy to build. Novel and very effective shock cord mount on
the airframe. I like that bit a lot!
CONs: Weedy shock cord, motor mount is a bit too snug (OK, it's far too
tight). Standard issue Estes 12" parachute looks flimsy and ineffective. A
streamer would have been a better alternative in my opinion.
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5 Flight Log- Post a Comment -
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