Brief:
The Space Vehicle Gemini C is a military research rocket. I used this DC Gemini rocket kit for my kit bash, because it has TTW fins, which means it is stronger than the other ones also you don't have to worry about the fin alignment.

Modifications:
Build the motor mount per the instructions and glue it in place. Glue the fins in place. Cut off a 50 mm long piece from one of the pods. The rest of that pod will make for the body for the shuttle. Now cut the other pod into 3 pieces that are 50mm long. From the Estes insert card, cut it so that you have a piece that measures 35mm x 290mm long. Glue the 1/4 inch vent tube into one of the vent holes in the central body tube. This serves as a post for the shuttle to hang onto. Plug the other vent hole in the body tube with glue. Glue the insert card onto the tip of the fins so it covers 3 sides of the rocket, and be sure to leave the side that has the post clear. Glue the 4 short pieces cut from the pods on to fin tip of each of the fins. This will make the outside motor. Use one of 12" parachute and a shock cord. Glue the shock cord onto the standard 3-fold mount, then glue the mount into the body tube. Lastly, attach the parachute and nose cone to the shock cord.

For the shuttle, glue the 2 NC-20 nose cones into the piece of pod that make the body for the shuttle. Mark two lines 180 degrees apart on the body.Using the waste balsa from the sheet of fin stock, make two wings and vertical stabilizers for the shuttle as shown in the picture. Glue the wings onto the body of the shuttle and use the vertical stabilizers so that they hold the wings in a V shape. Finally, glue the vertical stabilizers on to the wings.

Construction:
The components used in this rocket kit are:

• 1 BT-50 main body tube, slotted with vent holes
• 1 two-piece NC-50 nose cone
• 2 BT-20 side pods with vent holes (cut to make the 4 outside motors and body for shuttle)
• 2 NC-20 nose cones (used for the shuttle)
• 2 50-20 centering rings
• 1 18mm motor mount tube
• 1 mylar ring
• 1 engine hook
• 1 1/8 inch launch lug
• 1 1/4 inch vent tube
• 2-rubber shock cords
• 2 12 inch parachutes
• 4 balsa fins and (off cuts from the sheet of fin stock use to make the wings and vertical stabilizers for the shuttle)

Finishing:
I finished the rocket with one coat of Tamiya's gray primer and then I painted the rocket in Tamiya intermediate blue (US NAVY, AS-19) and Tamiya haze gray (TS-32) so it looks more like a military rocket. I use the supplied decals in this kit.

Flight:
I got a chance to fly it, because my nephew birthday. The flights were held on a somewhat cloudy day with winds at about 2 kph.

First flight was on a B4-4. The rocket moved slowly off the pad for a nice stable and straight flight. Ejection happened at apogee and I recovered the rocket with no damage.

Second flight was on a C6-5. A fast launch! The rocket went all but out of sight because of the low hanging clouds. Ejection happened after apogee and I recovered the rocket with no damage.

The third flight was on B6-6. A stable and straight flight. Ejection happened way past apogee and I recovered the rocket with damage to body tube and the shuttle snapped off on landing.

Recovery:
I put one parachute in, because the problem is that I don't really like 2 parachutes, I just want one, but I was worried about that if I only put one in, the ejection gas won't deploy the only parachute resulting in a lawn dart.

Summary:
This rocket has good recovery and has through the wall fin mounts so the fins are self-aligned, but two parachutes adds complications such as twisted shroud lines. I think the Estes Gemini DC is a good rocket for this kit bash.