Art Applewhite Rockets - Stealth 13mm (Plan)

Brief:
This is a free-to-download 13mm cardstock version of Art Applewhite's Stealth rockets available for download at Art's website. I received my 13mm Stealth from Art as a free gift alongside a 24mm Delta saucer.

Construction:
The rocket is made from one piece of cardstock which has the instructions along with the pattern for the rocket and motor mount printed on it.

Art's instructions were very easy to follow, and the rocket took me no more than twenty minutes to put together using Craftworks Tacky Craft Glue. The only tools required to aid in assembly are a steel straight edge, hobby knife and/or small scissors, and an object with a rounded end (like an old ballpoint pen) for forming creases.

First, I cut out the patterns for the rocket body and the motor mount with a small pair of scissors after which I cut out the holes for the motor mount and the launch rod on the body using a hobby knife. After forming creases with a steel straight edge and the rounded end of a headphones plug along the marked crease lines, I formed the motor mount into a triangle and glued the seams together (I brushed on a thin layer of tacky glue to ensure a fast and firm tack). I then tackled the rocket body and after forming creases along the crease lines, one half of the body was then folded back on to the other half to form the characteristic Stealth shape and the two halves then glued together. Once the glue on the body was dry, I then inserted the completed motor mount into the motor mount hole and secured it in place with a fillet of tacky glue to complete the construction.

Finishing:
No specific finishing techniques are recommended by Art and as such, I didn't bother with any.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
The only recommended motor for the 13mm Stealth is the Estes A10-PT plugged motor. Unlike the larger Stealth rockets, the top of the rocket is closed off so using an unplugged motor could well result in the ejection charge burning out the top of the rocket.

I used an A10-PT for the Stealth's maiden flight at the local football oval using the friction-fit technique with a bit of masking tape. Upon pressing the launch button, the Stealth took off surprisingly very fast in a straight line with a rapid spinning motion in flight to around 75-80 feet. Upon motor burnout, the rocket gently tumble-recovered to the ground.

Subsequent flights have essentially been repeats of the first flight and I love the way that once the rocket is retrieved after each flight, it takes no more than maybe a minute to have the rocket prepped and ready for another flight.

Recovery:
The Stealth's negligible weight and tumble-recovery (referred to by Art as 'aerobrake recovery') make for foolproof recovery close to the launching area and as previously mentioned, very quick turnaround flight times.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
I simply can't think of any cons with this marvelous little rocket. It simply can't be beat for ease and quickness of construction. Its seemingly fragile and featherweight appearance is quite deceptive as the completed rocket is quite robust and will give many hours of launching pleasure for minimal cost.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

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