Scratch Transkelion Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Transkelion {Scratch}

Contributed by Glenn Roth

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Glenn Roth - 04/19/09)

Brief:
This is my box o' parts entry. Single stage rocket with small cargo bay and parachute recovery. (Parts were sent to me, all but DVD and medicine bottle, which were "bonus parts.)"

(Scratch) Transkelion (Scratch) Transkelion

Construction:
Because I was working with miscellaneous pieces, I used 2 BT30s and a medicine bottle as a payload section. Bottom was cut off and turned around to become top to accept nose cone. 4 tube fins, mounted on struts. Balsa and cardboard design with a transducer type engine mount, BT-20 motor mount, 18 "elastic shock cord," attached to a screw eye in payload section. Unique feature is the "DVD" center mounted wing.

I'm going to rate this build a 3.5. Cutting out the sections on the struts, to make it look like struts was a little tricky. The mounting of the tube fins to the struts and the fin/strut assembly to the main body was a little tricky, too. I do recommend a separation of the main rocket and fin assembly for ease of assembly. I also used a hard coat Modge Podge to protect decals and finish.

(Scratch) Transkelion (Scratch) Transkelion

(Scratch) Transkelion (Scratch) Transkelion

(Scratch) Transkelion (Scratch) Transkelion

(Scratch) Transkelion (Scratch) Transkelion

Finishing:
Made a boat tail to house motor. Cut struts from balsa to hold tube fins.

Flight:
I'm going to try a Quest A6-4 for first motor.

Flight 1: A6-4 way underpowered. Barely got off ground and broke a strut.

Flight 2: After repairing fin strut, I went with a B6-4. Started out nice then got all kinds of unstable. Crashed and broke 3 fin assemblies.

I will have to take apart nose to add some weight, repair fin struts, and check for stability with a swing test before next flight.

Recovery:
Shock cord was quite heavy, 3/8", and attached to inside of rocket body. Assembly was straightforward, just a little tedious to attach the struts to fin tubes.

(Scratch) Transkelion

Summary:
PROs: Nice little rocket and a bit of challenge to build so not your typical build. Skill level 2-3. CONs: Because of the extra joints with the tube fins and struts, care needs to be taken and heavy fillets added.

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