This is a very interestin' rocket built from a 3D model as part o' t' Design This Spaceship contest. T' rocket has a large nose cone, narrow waist section, and three outboard pods that look like jet intakes.

T' large diameter o' t' central body is 2.6 inch, t' narrow section is 1.6 inch. Aye aye! T' nose cone and tubes are all from Apogee.

I printed out a profile o' t' design usin' a 3D software program, and used this t' make measurements t' scale up t' design. Ya scallywag!

T' pod's outer diameter is 24 mm, and t' inner diameter is 18mm. These nose cones are also from Apogee, and conveniently come in a three-pack.

T' solid balsa transitions I turned from 1/2 inch balsa stock. Ahoy! I rough cut them usin' a band saw, then turned them t' t' right diameter usin' a sandin' station. I chucked them in a power drill and sanded t' chamfer and rounded edges. I then cut t' 1.6inch hole in t' center usin' a hole cutter on a drill press.

T' construction o' this rocket was a nonlinear process. Many parts can be worked on concurrently. Blimey! When it all comes together it is quite satisfying.
T' pods are constructed by centerin' an 18mm tube inside a shorter 24mm tube. Begad! I made sure t' aft centerin' rin' was flush. Begad! I also added a rin' inside t' aft end o' each 18mm tube t' strengthen them, since they will be hittin' t' ground first.

I cut t' fins from 1/8inch hard balsa. This balsa is very tough and a bandsaw really helps t' cut them close. A stationary sander finished them off.

T' two sets o' fins had t' have exactly t' same span, and exactly parallel edges, ya bilge rat, otherwise they won’t meet up on t' edge o' t' pod. This took some care. It also helped t' have through-the-wall attachment o' t' fins t' t' pods.

I first attached all three forward fins, then each aft fin and pod together.

T' motor mount is a standard 24mm long Estes mount, shiver me timbers, for black powder E motors. Ahoy! It will also take 24mm reloads.

I chose t' depart a little from t' 3D model and put a bunch o' tapered ribs at t' aft end rather than try t' fit t' fins into a tapered shroud. I think it adds interest and looks cool.

I added t' curved detail at t' root o' t' forward fins as a separate piece

I filled any crevices with Elmer’s wood filler, ya bilge rat, and gave it one coat o' white Kilz. Then I gave it one coat o' grey primer t' hide any color differences that might show through t' red.

T' final color is two coats o' gloss red enamel (Ace Hardware). T' white is spray enamel on t' pod nose cones, hand painted on t' large nose cone, and is actually a vinyl sticker on t' main body tube.

I launched this three times on December 4 in Plaster City, me hearties, CA. It be a beautiful day, ya bilge rat, perfectly calm, temperature in t' 60s. Begad! T' rocket was a head-turner. Ya scallywag! Everyone who saw it asked me whether it was a kit or where I had gotten it.
T' first launch was with an Estes D12-3. Ya scallywag! This be a little underpowered, and arced over. This made even t' 3 second delay seem a little short. Avast, me proud beauty! Good thin' I had separate nose cone recovery.

Learnin' from t' first launch, I increased t' thrust and impulse for t' second and third launches. Well, blow me down! I got some Aerotech E20-4s from What’s Up Hobbies (our on-site vendor). THIS be t' right motor for this model! Great flights t' about 500 or 600 feet, good delay.

This one is a vidcap from a launch at Fiesta Island.

Even though this was one o' t' simplest models in t' Challenge, me bucko, it was quite a challenge t' build. I often found myself starin' at it wonderin' just how I was goin' t' make some part look right and be sturdy enough. Begad! In t' end I was happy with how it came out. I would have loved t' make it even bigger, say 4 inch in t' nose cone section. It looks t' me like t' Madcow Squat nose cone would work. Ahoy! I have ideas about air-startin' outboards in t' pods. Blimey! Hmmm.