01-20-13

This is mostly after t' fact because I wasn't planin' on this build and didn't think it t' worthy o' writin' up as so many people have built this kit. Well, blow me down! But as I received this kit for Christmas I thought why nay go ahead and build it stock as I haven't done that yet. Avast, me proud beauty! My prior 18 kits wound up as an assortment o' various Goonybirds (Go to: http://www.rocketreviews.com/my-goonybirds.html t' see photos) so I'm just waitin' for warmer weather now t' paint this bird. Avast! I followed t' plans as written except for t' fins which got t' paper coverin' for a flawless finish (I do this on all me builds now as I hated all that fillin' and primin' and sandin' in hopes o' gettin' a smooth finish).

Rocket primed and ready for main paint job

Today I masked off t' four sides o' t' fins that will remain white with Frog Tape (that's t' yellow tape in photos) and shot t' rest o' t' rocket with Krylon Gloss Black. Huston we have a problem. Begad! Looks like t' White ColorPlace spray paint I used on t' fins and Krylon Gloss Black are nay t' compatible. Begad! Major crinkelin' along all fin seams. Will wait a couple days for paint t' dry then re-sand and try again. So much for hassle free finish. Begad! On a side note: This is twice I've had a problem with ColorPlace paint. Was t' cheapest paint at Wal-Mart. Will have t' quit usin' it on rockets.

Fins taped off with Frog tape

Gloss Black applied

Major crinkling at fin joints

Yesterday I did he final sandin' and repainting. All looks good now and today I stuck t' one decal on and aside from givin' it a clear coat it is ready t' fly. Well, blow me down! Just need some warm weather now (we got hit with an ice storm last night. Blimey! Bur-r-r-r-r-r.)

Clear coated

Finished this build today by sprayin' a couple o' light coats o' Dupli-Color Clear EFFEX paint on t' rocket t' give it that glittery rainbow effect. Rocket is now ready for maiden flight.

Glamour Shot 1

Glamour Shot 2

Yesterday I managed t' make it t' t' park again t' finish launchin' t' rest o' me builds from t' past two winters. T' Baby Bertha was one o' them. T' rocket looked beautiful in t' sunlight on t' pad but looked even better once t' launch botton was pressed. Well, blow me down! Rocket shot straight up with parachute just past apogee. Nice slow decent with rocket landin' over 300' from pad. Nice walk across t' field t' retrieve. Arrr! No damage found on recovery.

Maiden flight in 5...4...3...

Hard t' spot just below t' darker cloud at top-middle

Just about t' land 287 steps away (I counted them)

If me math is right, shiver me timbers, that comes out t' a little over 526 feet

Perfect Landing