Scratch Naughty or Nice Santa Rocket Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Naughty or Nice Santa Rocket {Scratch}

Contributed by Keith Stewart

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Keith M. Stewart - 12/08/05) Santa

Brief:
The Naughty or Nice Santa Rocket was made for the December 2004 club launch of SEARS572 which had a Christmas theme. All the parts are basic "Estes" type with the fins and finishing being the only creative aspects of this rocket.

Construction:
To build the Naught or Nice Santa Rocket you need the following:

  • 1 - PNC60MS Nose Cone
  • 7.5" - BT60 Body Tube
  • 1 - Standard 18mm to BT60 Motor Mount
  • 1 - 12" Parachute
  • 30" - 1/4" Nylon Shock Cord
  • 1 - 3/32" X 3" X 6" Balsa Fin Stock
  • 1 - 3/16 Launch Lug
  • Finishing - Cotton Ball; Red Paint; Flesh, Black & White Paint Markers

Assembly:

The Naughty or Nice Santa Rocket goes together just like any other 3FNC rocket. The only exception is making the fins look like boots. Assemble the rocket just like you would say an Estes Baby Bertha. Next cut the fins out from the balsa fin stock - you'll need three. The fins are 4 inches long and 1 inch wide shaped like an "L" and curve back into the body tube at the top of the boot (use the picture as a guide). Attach the fins with your favorite method.

Finishing:

Race

Sand, fill and prime the rocket. Remember, a little effort and patience here will payoff with a much nicer looking rocket. Paint the entire rocket bright Red. After a good 24 hours of drying time paint the boots black with the paint marker. Trim the boots and bottom of nose cone with the white paint marker. Glue the cotton ball to the top of the nose cone. The final step is painting a Santa face with the Flesh colored paint marker trimmed in white paint marker with black eyes and red nose (Sharpie marker). The black belt is monokote trim.

Flight:
First flight due to wind conditions was on a Estes B6-4. The Naughty or Nice Santa Rocket flew straight and true with normal parachute recovery. This is a FUN rocket!

Summary:
Pro's:

Fun Christmas theme rocket for those December launches

Con's:

How can there be con's with a Santa Rocket?

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