Brief:
This is a sci-fi-style model inspired by the Star Wars Y-Wing Fighter. When I converted an Estes SpaceShipOne into the SpaceShipSqrt(-1), I had the fin set left over. Mix these fins with a pill bottle from Target, and you have the SpaceShipY. This model has a 24mm mount and is night launch ready.

Construction:
The parts list:

• One fin set from an Estes SpaceShipOne
• Target pill bottle
• Loki liner and casting tube for 38mm
• 24mm tube
• Spent 24mm motor case
• Estes motor hook
• Spent 29mm motor
• Kevlar® twine
• Mini LED flashlight
• Two First Fire igniter tubes

I found that the cap of the pill bottle fits snugly in the Loki liner tube so I built a payload bay from that tube, the associated casting tube, and a nozzle section from a 29mm phenolic motor casing. I ground the cap so the mini LED flashlight (bought at Bed Bath and Beyond) fits through. Thus, you unscrew the bottle to access the flashlight. A piece of thin Kevlar® was threaded through the nozzle and was tied to a small nut, thus completing the assembly.

The body is a piece of the liner with a piece of the casting tubing at its base (chosen from the leftovers). The exposed length of the casting tube is the same as the root of the fin assembly.

I built a motor mount from 24mm tubing, an Estes motor hook, and motor block cut from a used 24mm motor case. I also made centering rings from a piece of the motor case that was cut in half lengthwise. I bent the sections of the casing open so they fit the outside of the 24mm motor mount. These centered the motor tube but didn't completely enclose it. More Kevlar® twine was threaded through the gap between these rings and tied to the mount. I then filled the small gaps with Gorilla Glue.

The fins are the stock SpaceShipOne set. I added sections of igniter tubes under each wing and another section between the wings to serve as a launch lug.

Finishing:
I filled the fins, primed, sanded, etc. The rocket is solid white except for the translucent red cockpit/cone. Finally, I applied some of the decals left over from the SS1 kit.

Flight:
I attached a 12" chute to the loops in the Kevlar® cords on both the nose and body. Wadding was a mix of Estes and dog barf. Motor of choice for the first flight was a C11. I found that I had forgotten to add a 3/16" lug inside the center section of First Fire igniter tube. Thus the fit on the rod was sloppy.

The launch was straight and stable despite the loose rod fit.

Recovery:
The ejection was on the energetic side (typical for the C11) and the Kevlar® loop on the nose cone broke. The nose section fell without the benefit of a chute but wasn't damaged. The body recovered as planned.

I used a baby wipe to clean the exhaust residue from the bottom of the fins and will have to rework the recovery harness for the nose.

Summary:
I thought the rocket looks pretty cool, but then I did build it. Others who saw it seemed to like it. They especially liked seeing it next to the SpaceShip(-1). I guess the idea of using all the SpaceShipOne parts was appealing. One kit plus leftovers = two rockets.