HotRod Rockets Fruit Fly

HotRod Rockets - Fruit Fly {Kit}

Contributed by Charlaine Cadence Nordin

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Diameter: 0.54 inches
Manufacturer: HotRod Rockets
Skill Level: 1
Style: Sport

Fruit FlyBrief:
Hotrod's rockets Fruit fly is a small but great flier. It is a simple build and great for groups.

Construction:
Parts include:

  • Cast resin nosecone
  • Balsa fins
  • Kevlar® shock cord
  • BT-5 body tube
  • Thrust ring
  • Streamer recovery

The four fins are first cut from the balsa and sanded. One fin is notched for the mounting of the shock cord. Then all four root edges are smeared with glue and allowed to dry.

The body tube is marked and the fins attached and allowed to dry.

The Kevlar® is wrapped around the notched fin and secured with a knot and glue. Once dry the loose end is tied to length of elastic and that to the nosecone.

Finishing:
For me I am going to wait to finish this rocket as I want to mimic the wings of the real fruit fly on the fins. But for most others it is a simple paint as you wish rocket.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
I flew the unfinished fruit fly on 1/4A3-3T first with a short but great flight then with two flights on 1/2A3-4T with slightly higher but great flights though I almost lost her in tall grass.

Recovery:
The streamer worked great but I am changing it to a 3" chute for a longer decent time.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
I would recommend this rocket to all who run outreach programs but at the time of this writing it is now OOP.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • HotRod Rockets Fruit Fly By Charlaine Cadence Nordin (March 21, 2009)

    Brief: The Fruit Fly was a nice minimum diameter rocket from HotRod Rockets. Unfortunately, it has been discontinued. It is a simple build with elliptical wings reminiscent of those of an insect. It has a resin nose cone and streamer recovery which should make it easier to recover this light rocket. Construction: The first step in construction is to insert the thrust ring. The ...

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