Scratch Solar Warrior (24mm) Original Design / Scratch Built

Scratch - Solar Warrior (24mm) {Scratch}

Contributed by Jewel B. Butler Jr.

Manufacturer: Scratch
(Contributed - by Jewel Barton Butler Jr. - 02/06/09) (MODS) Estes Warrior

Brief:
This is a single stage rocket with two outer tube-fins attached via pylons.There are two standard fins to give it a Lear jet like look.I couldn't resist building it. This is one of Estes better designs.

Construction:
I decided to go 24mm. Most of the parts are available through Semroc I started with a one BNC-55AO 5-inch elliptical nose cone, one 18-inch BT-55 body tube (I used a spare piece I had it was 17 inches long), two 3-inch long BT-55, two 55-50 centering rings, one 4.5-inch BT-50 (no engine block allows you to use D or E engines), one 1oz round fishing weight, one #204 screw eye from Home Depot, 36 inches of #400 Kevlar® shock cord, one 12-inch nylon parachute, sheet of 3/32-inch basswood (from Semroc or Hobby Lobby), and 24 inches of 1/8 inch nylon cord.

First the motor mount build. I used Probond wood glue. Then I marked the body tube for four fins. Next, I cut out my upper and lower fins since I was upscaling I had to kind of add a little bit here and there to make it look OK. I rounded all my leading edges. Then I cut my pylons for my tube fins. Basically I just took a 1-inch wide piece of 3/32-inch basswood and cut a angle at both ends to keep things simple. I attached the upper and lower fins starting at the tail end of the body tube. I attached the pylons 2 inches from the back of the body tube. Now it was time to fix the nose cone and add nose weight. I just drilled out the center of the weight for the screw eye, which is about a 1/4 inch in diameter. Next, I inserted the screw eye through the weight, put a little glue on it, and screwed into the nose cone. I attached the shock through the body just above the motor mount by using a X-Acto knife to bore me a little hole large enough for the cord then put a knot at the end with a little glue to attach nylon cord to other end to nose cone. For the tube fins, I drew a line top to bottom on both tubes, put a little glue on the mark and the pylon, let it set for about 5 or 6 minutes, and then attach the tubes, let them dry then fillet everything. I coated all my wood area with wood glue for strength followed by a great wood filler, then sanded and painted.

(MODS) Estes Warrior(MODS) Estes Warrior

(MODS) Estes Warrior(MODS) Estes Warrior

(MODS) Estes Warrior(MODS) Estes Warrior

Flight:
I test flew on a C11-3. It was a great flight. Next it flew on a D12-5 then a E9-6. Again, they were both beautiful flights. Also, I used masking tape to secure the motor on all three flights. It flew very straight.

Summary:
I like this rocket because it was so easy to build, flies great, and it has a cool look about it.

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