I was in a rocket building mood one night and has some scrap parts lying around and decided to stick them together into a rocket. The result was the Spike (just seem to fit) It will take any 18mm engines. I would stay small for its performance will likely be similar to that of the Mosquito, hence, playing a vanishing act off of the pad. I proceeded to fill the balsa grain and prime and paint it in Rustoleum Metallic Red then Clear Coat.

I had a problem though . . . how to recover it ? There was not enough room for a recovery system so I had to figure something else out. Kicking the engine like the Mosquito was not acceptable.

For one I don't like kicking engines. Second this one is a little heavier than the Mosquito and streamlining (tumble) in is not exactly the safest form of recovery. So I remember the Scout I had and grabbed a paper clip and rubber band.

First make 3 small holes in the nose cone to vent ejection gases (not too big or there won't be enough pressure to move the engine casing.

Straighten the paper clip with 2 hooks on each end (A normal paper clip not large or small) The paper clip is just the right size by coincidence. Now all you do is hook one end in a vent hole and slide the rubber band in place to hold it there. Walla (picture on left) is during boost. Then the engine kicks out stopped short by the hook and walla "horizontal tumble recovery" keeping the engine with it (picture on right).

For Parts: Any 18mm blue motor mount tube you get with a rocket (or equivalent length). Any 18mm nose cone made of plastic (vent holes in balsa are not a good idea! Personally I used what I had, an Estes X-Ray nose cone. One normal paper clip plus one small rubber band. For fins I used the left overs of my wrecked Apogee Heli-Roc rotor blades, but 1/8" balsa is what is needed.

All parts are common except fins. Click HERE for a Gif image of the fins. Just print it from your browser window and use as a template to make three (it is supposed to be 1:1 with root edge about 35mm)

It is pretty simple and straightforward making it easy to build. Looks nice in metallic paint.

No prep as far as wadding. Just remove old engine, load a new one and launch. Now I have this paper clip and rubber band thing because I came up with the idea after I made the rocket BUT it does have an advantage: repair is EASY and if you remove the clip and band the rocket is nice, clean and will stand on its fins for show.

I have flown it over a dozen times with great results and no damage every time. I do not fly larger than 1/2A6-2 engines though for it would go very high) It tumbles nicely sideways although I have to make sure the engine is loose so that it will slide back. If it doesn't, then recovery would be Mosquito style with the engine inside (not necessarily damaging to the rocket but would hurt if it hit you)

Have fun and if you make it all I ask is that you send me info and a picture so I can log how many people make this rocket!