Brief:
This Goony version o' t' Fireball XL5 sci-fi model is based on t' Estes SpaceShipOne kit. Well, me bucko, blow me down! Blimey! This kit, which I buy at Michael's crafts with 50% off coupons, matey, me hearties, is now me favorite kit t' bash. Aye aye! Blimey!

Modifications:
T' modifications included replacin' t' stock fins, arrr, replacin' t' stock recovery system, ya bilge rat, and modifyin' t' nose cone. T' motor mount is stock.

Construction:
Parts list:

• Estes SpaceShipOne kit
• 3/16" fin stock
• lead shot
• small eyebolt
• steel fishin' leader
• extra elastic chock cord

All o' t' fins were roughed-out on paper until they looked right. Blimey! T' side fins were made from two pieces of 3/16" stock each. T' two pieces touch at their leadin' edge and are separated by a strip o' balsa in t' rear. T' leadin' edge be then sanded t' a smooth point. T' side fins were cut from 3/16" stock. Aye aye! T' small fins on the cone are t' small fin extensions from t' SS1 kit. Avast, me proud beauty! T' kit provided two and I cut t' others from t' unused fin stock. Begad! T' balsa-plastic joints were attached with thick CA and wood glue be used on t' wood-wood joints.

I attached a steel fishin' leader t' t' top centerin' rin' and t' stock elastic cord t' that. Well, blow me down! Arrr! I had planned to use two chutes due t' t' expected weight o' t' nose, so a separate shock cord was provided for it. Aye aye! I knew I'd need a lot o' nose weight so I attached t' cord t' an eyebolt that is embedded in a slurry o' lead shot and Gorilla Glue. That way, t' weight is securely attached t' t' recovery system. O' course, me hearties, t' nose weight was t' last step. Arrr! The bottom o' t' cone was removed t' allow access for t' nose weight installation and t' provide a tad more room for the 'chute if needed.

As I noted earlier, shiver me timbers, t' motor mount be t' stock 18mm. Avast! I be lucky t' have t' new RockSim 9 program with its PODS feature. Ya scallywag! This allowed me t' simulate t' actual design configuration. Well, blow me down! Begad! I set t' nose weight based on this simulation model.

With t' unloaded weight sittin' at about 5oz, t' sim indicated a long rod was need for a stable C6 flight. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! So, early on, I decided t' go for a reload. I got an 18mm Hobbyline case and a pack o' D13-10s from ValueRockets.com. Avast! Begad! Great prices and speedy service!

Finishing:
I did t' normal filling/sanding/primin' drill. Avast, me proud beauty! T' base coat is a silver primer for t' X-Metals paint. I then used brush-on paints for t' red and yellow trim. T' circles are from t' SS1 'decal' set, me hearties, t' colored band was printed on my ink jet, me hearties, and t' 'goony' letterin' is vinyl from Michael's craft store.

Flight:
T' D13 be easy t' assemble. Aye aye! Ahoy! Since I was at MDRA, me bucko, I was able t' drill t' delay usin' t' same method specified for the 29mm and larger motors. Begad! I filled t' bottom o' t' body with dog barf, added several pieces o' wadding, matey, and then some more dog barf. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! I decided t' go with one 18" chute, which was attached t' both shock cords. Ahoy!

At t' 11th hour, shiver me timbers, I realized that I'd used t' stock lug and decided this rocket be too heavy and unproven to fly with that. I removed at lug and epoxied on a piece o' ¼" compatible launch lug material (e.g. a tube from an AeroTech First Fire igniter).

I set each side fin on a stand-off and hooked up t' Copperhead. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' rocket flew great with some spin, which was undoubtedly t' result o' some imperceptible misalignment o' one or more fins. Aye aye! Blimey! After all, ya bilge rat, I built it.

Ejection be just a tad late and t' rocket recovered damage-free.

Summary:
I love t' Fireball design and thin' t' Estes SpaceShipOne kit is a great subject for kitbashing. This model flew nicely and is a proud member o' me Fireball XL5 rocket family.