Estes Screamin Mimi t' Der Red Max

Manufacturer:

Scratch

Contributed by James Gartrell

Brief:

Upsized motor mount t' hold Estes E-9. Ya scallywag! Substituted fin design, ya bilge rat, paint scheme and Tango Papa decals for Der Red Max. Omitted super sonic whistles and related fins, although I seriously considered includin' them t' make a "Der Screamin' Red Max." Length o' t' rocket is 26 inches, rather than 25.5 inches for t' Screamin' Mimi. Ya scallywag! Also, replaced shock cord with a Keelhaul®©™/elastic combination. Blimey! Installed screw eye with JB-Weld into t' hole in t' nose cone base. Used basswood for fins. Modified an old Estes E-motor engine hook t' fit t' newer E-9's. Well, blow me down! Basically, t' only thin' I used from t' kit was t' main body tube, nose cone, centerin' rings, engine hook retainer, and engine block, but I got it at a 1/2 price sale at Hobby Lobby for $5.50.

Modifications:
T' motor mount was installed with yellow glue, then JB-Weld was coated around t' outside o' t' upper and lower centerin' rings t' harden them and then filleted - this may be overkill, but I believe I can send it up with an F-21 without any problems. A screw eye was inserted into t' center o' a piece o' cellophane tape, then a glob o' JB-Weld was inserted into t' hole in t' base o' t' nose cone, shiver me timbers, then t' screw eye was inserted into that with t' cellophane tape holdin' it in place and keepin' t' JB-weld from seepin' out, and then inserted t' nose cone into t' body tube t' allow t' JB-Weld t' seep down t' t' base o' t' nose cone - makes a much stronger shock cord attachment point than t' standard plastic hook on t' base o' t' cone. T' cellophane tape is easily removed after t' JB-Weld dries. Ya scallywag! Also, I installed 1/8-ounce o' clay into t' nose cone before installin' t' screw eye, just in case I decide t' fly that F-motor. As usual, Estes' standard shock cord is too short and must be frequently replaced. T' avoid t' issue, me hearties, I installed t' Keelhaul®©™ cord into t' shock cord mount so that it extended outside t' body tube, arrr, then formed a loop that placed t' center at t' top edge o' t' body tube. Aye aye! I attached t' elastic shock cord t' that and then t' t' nose cone. Ahoy! Also, I soak in a little CA into t' top lip o' t' body tube for improved strength there. Avast, me proud beauty! T' loop with t' CA seems t' minimize t' potential for "zippering" when that motor delay isn't just right. I've used this method on rockets that I've launched many, many times without a problem. I installed t' fins usin' yellow glue, then created JB-Weld fillets. Use a plastic bag over your finger t' smooth out t' JB-Weld t' make some really nice fillets. Well, blow me down! Here again, t' JB-Weld fillets are probably overkill, but I feel better about them when that F-motor kicks in. I had t' hammer out t' end o' t' old Estes E-engine hook and then reform it t' fit t' new Estes E-engine - pretty easy with a vice and hammer, just go slowly so you don't break it.

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