DG&A High Power Rocketry Mini Sonik-Blast

DG&A High Power Rocketry - Mini Sonik-Blast {Kit}

Contributed by Jeff Short

Manufacturer: DG&A High Power Rocketry
(Contributed - by Jeff Short - 04/01/04) DG&A Rocketry Mini Sonik-Blast

Brief:
This is a great entry level MPR/HPR 3FNC rocket that flies on a great range of G and H motors.

Modifications:
I upsized the motor mount to 38mm from the 29mm that the kit comes with. I just replaced the two 3" x 29mm centering rings with three 3" x 38mm centering rings. I also added a 3rd centering ring. In retrospect, these changes are not really needed.

Construction:
This kit comes with the standard high quality parts that you can expect from all DG&A kits, including very heavy craft paper tubes. Each piece is individually wrapped in paper before being inserted into a heavy cardboard box.

The kit includes one 22.75" long 3.1" diameter body tube, 12.5" long nose cone, three 1/8" 3-ply birch plywood elliptical fins, 30" parachute, 20' nylon shock cord, quick links, 1/4" eyebolts for attachment, and 2 rail buttons.

The instructions with pictures are top quality and lead you through the process step by step. Included are an alignment guide as well as pre-marked--but not pre-cut--body tubes (for all fin and rail button lines). As stated above, the parts are all top quality with only sanding needed to get the model ready for paint. There are several decals included to use if you like. No parts were missing nor damaged. This kit goes together very easily and makes a great L1 kit.

I build my kits like a tank so my kit came in at 33oz. He claims 22oz so you can tell I overbuild build the heck out of them. It actually turned out good on this kit because on it's maiden flight I didn't insert enough wadding so the shock cord burned through. The rocket came in with no chute yet sustained no more than some cracked paint.


DG&A Rocketry Mini Sonik-Blast

Flight:
The manufacturer recommends 29mm G35, G40, G54, G80, G64, H97, H128 with this kit. I have flown mine on the Pro38 G69 and H143. The flight preparation is the same as for any single nosecone deploy rocket. I had to add a small amount of nose weight to compensate for my larger motor tube and centering ring.

This rocket flies straight as an arrow even in medium winds. I get compliments on how reliably it flies.

Recovery:
The recovery is good under the 30" chute.

Summary:
This is a great pre-L1 or L1 kit. It is easy to build and flies wonderfully.

The only thing I would change is the shock cord to Kevlar®. Of course this is my personal preference (that not everyone else may not agree with).

I guess one other slight negative is that the kit doesn't come with a motor retainer but this is a small issue.

Other Reviews
  • DG&A High Power Rocketry Mini Sonik-Blast By Chan Stevens

    Small enough to fly on an LMR, rugged enough to get an L1, this versatile 29mm kit is a good introduction into higher powered rocketry. I won this little bad boy in EMRR's Mach 1-2-3 virtual contest. About two weeks later, the box arrived, complete with a kit label on the outside. The parts were carefully packed, individually wrapped, and very good quality. Parts list includes: ...

  • DG&A High Power Rocketry Mini Sonik-Blast By Greg Deeter

    This is a 3 inch airframe version of the full sized (4 inch) Sonik-Blast offered by DG&A High Power Rocketry in Texas. It is a single stage rocket with a 29mm motor tube and the finished weight is considerably lighter than the full sized version. After being extremely pleased with the 4" Sonik-Blast and having flown it on everything from G to I motors, I decided to build this one ...

comment Post a Comment