Scratch Bon Bon Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Bon Bon {Scratch}

Contributed by Zoe Balkwell

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Zoe Balkwell - 07/04/08)

Brief:
Being new at model rocketry, I didn’t choose a very extravagant style of rocket, but I tried! :) Using My Box Of Parts, I found a nose cone and a body tube that fitted together, and I was on my way. My aim was to make a simple but pretty design, so i look at what was in my box and ended up with the design I finally used.

Parts
(Click to Enlarge)

Bon BonConstruction:

  • 6mm radius tube
  • Ply Wood to make my fins
  • Nose Cone
  • 22mm Radius Body Tube
  • Engine Block
  • Parachute 10 inch
  • 2 equal length skewers


Ready To LaunchFirstly I designed the style of fins I wanted. These can be seen in the photos, two fins being 1 cm smaller overall than the other two. I then used my small tubing to measure 4 evenly measured lengths. I then recorded this length and added 2.5 cm on the length and measured another 4 small diametre tubes. I then measured another 4 tubes with an extra 5 cm onto the original smaller tube’s length. I then joined them together by curving them around the body of the rocket, smallest to largest. Two will have to have the same orientation, whereas the other two will have to be placed around the rocket differently, so make sure they will fit when attached. Do this for the remaining 3 sets of tubes. Attach the fins, smallest opposite each other and largest opposite each other. Then attach the sets of 3 tubes, smallest tube placed against the largest fin. Repeat this until all sets of tubes have been fitted and fins are intact. Use two equal length skewers and attach to the side of the body tube in line with the small fin on both sides. Attach parachute in the usual manner and paint as required.

Flight:
3 flights had a very good launch on a B motor, and 1 exciting launch on a C motor. I was really impressed as there was no damage whatsoever and the parachute was released just as the optimum height was reached.

Summary:
Easy and Quick Build, with a very nice flight, and no considerable drawbacks

Other:
paint some of the smaller details like the skewers before putting them onto the rocket... otherwise it gets very tricky to get a nice finish... as i learnt!!!

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