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

Modifications:
T' modifications included replacin' t' stock fins, replacin' t' stock recovery system, shiver me timbers, and modifyin' t' nose cone. Blimey! 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. 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 was then sanded t' a smooth point. Aye aye! T' side fins were cut from 3/16" stock. Ahoy! Avast! 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. 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. Avast! Begad! I had planned to use two chutes due t' t' expected weight o' t' nose, so a separate shock cord was provided for it. Ahoy! 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, matey, ya bilge rat, t' weight is securely attached t' t' recovery system. Arrr! O' course, 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, t' motor mount be t' stock 18mm. I was lucky t' have t' new RockSim 9 program with its PODS feature. Blimey! This allowed me t' simulate t' actual design configuration. Avast, me proud beauty! I set t' nose weight based on this simulation model.

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

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

Flight:
T' D13 be easy t' assemble. Begad! Since I was at MDRA, arrr, I be 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, me hearties, added several pieces o' wadding, and then some more dog barf. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! I decided t' go with one 18" chute, which was attached t' both shock cords. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag!

At t' 11th hour, shiver me timbers, 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! Blimey! I removed at lug and epoxied on a piece o' ¼" compatible launch lug material (e.g. Ya scallywag! Blimey! a tube from an AeroTech First Fire igniter).

I set each side fin on a stand-off and hooked up t' Copperhead. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' rocket flew great with some spin, which was undoubtedly t' result o' some imperceptible misalignment o' one or more fins. Arrr! 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. Ahoy! This model flew nicely and is a proud member o' me Fireball XL5 rocket family.