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

Modifications:
T' modifications included replacin' t' stock fins, me hearties, me bucko, replacin' t' stock recovery system, 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. Aye aye! T' side fins were made from two pieces of 3/16" stock each. Well, blow me down! T' two pieces touch at their leadin' edge and are separated by a strip o' balsa in t' rear. T' leadin' edge was then sanded t' a smooth point. Avast, me proud beauty! T' side fins were cut from 3/16" stock. Begad! T' small fins on the cone are t' small fin extensions from t' SS1 kit. 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 was used on t' wood-wood joints.

I attached a steel fishin' leader t' t' top centerin' rin' and t' stock elastic cord t' that. Avast! I had planned to use two chutes due t' t' expected weight o' t' nose, so a separate shock cord be provided for it. Well, blow me down! Blimey! 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, shiver me timbers, t' weight is securely attached t' t' recovery system. Begad! O' course, matey, t' nose weight was t' last step. Aye aye! The bottom o' t' cone be 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, ya bilge rat, t' motor mount be t' stock 18mm. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! I be lucky t' have t' new RockSim 9 program with its PODS feature. Well, blow me down! Begad! This allowed me t' simulate t' actual design configuration. Well, blow me down! Arrr! I set t' nose weight based on this simulation model.

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

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

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

At t' 11th hour, shiver me timbers, me bucko, ya bilge rat, I realized that I'd used t' stock lug and decided this rocket was too heavy and unproven to fly with that. Well, blow me down! Begad! I removed at lug and epoxied on a piece o' ¼" compatible launch lug material (e.g. Ya scallywag! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! a tube from an AeroTech First Fire igniter).

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

Ejection was 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.